FADE IN

The courtyard of Samuel and Naomi's home. It is just before dawn and there is a quiet stillness in the air. Xena and Gabrielle solemnly face one another silently, as if unsure of what to say to one another. Finally, both go to speak at the same time:

GABRIELLE:
     Xena--

XENA:
     Gabrielle--.

They both stop. Xena lets out a small, awkward laugh and Gabrielle looks away, as if searching for the words.

GABRIELLE:
     We've been through this so many times before that there doesn't seem to be anything left to say.

Xena touches Gabrielle's cheek tenderly.

XENA:
     You don't have to say anything, Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE (sighs):
     Xena, I know this seems like just another battle but....I just get the feeling that it's something more. (she looks at Xena) Do you know what I mean?

Xena gives a small nod, a small hint of anxiety on her face as the thought has occurred to her as well. She forces a tiny, reassuring smile onto her face.

XENA:
     Everything is going to be fine, Gabrielle.

Darion comes out into the yard, carrying Xena's sword and a small pack that Gabrielle takes from him. Darion hands her the sword.

XENA:
     Thanks. (she puts her arm around his shoulder and leads him a few feet away and speaks in a hushed tone.) Darion, remember what we talked about. If anything happens to me you're going to have to look after Gabrielle and the baby.

DARION:
     Nothing is going to happen to you, Xena. You can beat the whole Roman army.

XENA (chuckles):
     Thanks for the vote of confidence, kid. You'll promise me, won't you?

Darion stares up at her a moment and he seems to age before Xena's eyes. Finally, he nods gravely.

DARION:
     I promise, Xena.

Xena hugs him tightly then turns back to Gabrielle who hands her the bundle Darion brought outside.

GABRIELLE:
     I made this pack up for you last night. There's some food and water, bandages...the usual stuff.

Xena takes the pack.

XENA:
     Thanks. Still looking out for me, huh?

Gabrielle nods and swallows, blinking back tears.

GABRIELLE:
     Always.

They hug a bit awkwardly due to Gabrielle's size. When they break apart Xena gives Gabrielle's belly an affectionate pat and starts off. When she reaches the gate of the courtyard she turns back and lifts her hand in farewell. Gabrielle waves back. Xena exits the courtyard and we cut back to Gabrielle. A single tear can be seen on her cheek.

GABRIELLE (whispers):
     Be careful.

CUT TO

The Western Gate. Xena and John, on horseback, are at the gate, many armed men lined up behind them. Bar-Giora and his men stand to the side. Some of them look at Xena with distrust and hostility, but most eyes fall on John. His look is solemn.

JOHN:
     I'm not one for speeches--but now, as we face a battle to the death, seems like a good time. I truly believe that the Lord is on our side and wants us to prevail. That is why he has sent us--Xena.

Xena looks somewhat uncomfortable with these words from John--though not with the groans and guffaws from some of Bar-Giora's men.

JOHN (continued):
     And now--let us all bow our heads in a silent prayer.

Everyone, save for Xena, complies. Close-up on Xena, who looks stoic and determined.

After a few moments, everyone looks up. John turns to Xena, a little nervous.

JOHN:
     Well--this is it.

XENA:
     You ready?

JOHN:
     Do I have a choice?

Xena gives him a knowing smile.

XENA:
     It's all right to be anxious. I remember when my hometown was under siege. Just hold it together as best you can. I'll do the rest.

JOHN:
     Xena, I just wanted to thank you again, and to say that I'm sorry about--

Xena puts her hand up to stop him.

XENA:
     Water under the bridge. (turns to the men) Let's move out!

The gates start to open.

CUT TO

Roman campground. Overhead shot of a Roman scout riding toward the campground. The camera holds steady on him until he reaches Titus and Sabina standing together, talking.

When they see the scout, they stop talking and give him their full attention. The scout gives them the Roman salute.

TITUS:
     Report.

SCOUT:
     My lord--a large force of Israelites has left the city gates. They're coming this way, thousands of them--led by--

SABINA:
     Let me guess. A tall, dark-haired woman.

SCOUT (swallows nervously):
     That's right, ma'am.

Sabina shoots Titus an "I told you so" look, but he pays her no mind.

TITUS (motions to an aide):
     My horse!

CUT TO

Outside the gates. Xena and John ride at the head of their troops.

CUT TO

A wide shot of the Roman camp. Zoom in on Titus on his horse, addressing the Romans.

TITUS:
     The Israelites are on the move. We have given them every opportunity to see reason and give up. But they seem to think their faith is going to save them. Well, we'll show them faith. Our faith in the might of Rome!

Loud cheers go up as the soldiers shoot their fists in the air. Pan to Sabina, who looks cool and sarcastic as usual but also has an excited glint in her eye.

Pan to Josephus, standing on the sidelines. He looks slightly pale, the expression on his face a mix of remorse, apprehension and disgust.

CUT TO

A quick montage of the Roman soldiers on the move, the cavalrymen mounting their horses and the infantry soldiers marching out of the camp.

CUT TO

SPLITSCREEN of the Romans and the Israelites marching toward each other. The Roman's first line is the infantry; the Israelites have their cavalry out in front.

The two armies collide, ending our SPLITSCREEN.

Xena leads the charge, her sword drawn. She cuts down every enemy in her path with about three dozen cavalrymen galloping behind her, demolishing more Roman infantry men along the way. Xena and her men ride along the side of the army.

Close-up on Sabina, eying Xena from a distance.

SABINA (mutters):
     What are you up to, Xena?

Pan to Xena as she sticks her middle and her index finger up and makes a "V" with them.

Pan back to Sabina, who notices this gesture; then to Titus. A long shot of the field as John and rest of the cavalry move forward.

TITUS (to the cavalry):
     Char--

SABINA:
     No, you're playing right into her hands.

TITUS:
     You forget who leads this army. (to the cavalry) Charge!

The Roman cavalry charges. Along with the remaining infantrymen, they meet John head on just as a long line of Israelite infantrymen whip out their bows and open fire on the Romans. The air thickens with hundreds of arrows.

SABINA:
     Shields!

It's too late. Most of the Roman infantrymen are struck down, as is a good chunk of the Roman cavalry.

Xena points her index finger straight up, then points it down. That's the signal for a second line of Israelite infantrymen to hurl spears at the Romans, striking down more infantrymen and impaling a few cavalrymen and horses.

A wide shot of the field. Xena and the cavalrymen she had with her have managed to swoop up behind the Romans, trapping them between two lines of fire.

Zoom in on Sabina and Titus, side by side. Sabina can't help but smile at Xena's cleverness.

SABINA:
     Oh, she's so good. I'll have to remember that one.

Titus gives her a nasty look.

TITUS:
     Then why don't you go join her?

And with that, Titus charges into the battle, swinging his sword wildly at any man that dare come his way. Sabina gives Titus (who now has his back to her) a hard look, then follows his lead.

Two warriors on horseback charge Xena. She leaps out of her saddle, doing a jumping "V" kick, then does a reverse somersault to reseat herself on her horse.

John parries with a warrior on horseback before stabbing him in the side. He spins and is hit by another warrior, knocking him off his horse. The warrior tries to trample him, but John wiggles and rolls to get out of the way. As the warrior swings down, making to run him through, John thrusts his sword upwards and stabs him in the chest. The horse neighs and flails about in alarm, throwing off the dying rider. John gets to his feet, reclaims his horse and rejoins the battle.

CUT TO

Gabrielle carries a bucket out to the goat pen. She seems distracted. A faint roar of men can be heard in the distance and she looks up towards the noise. She is obviously worried by the sounds of the battle. The goat bleats and she looks down at it.

GABRIELLE:
     Oh--sorry.

She empties the bucket of water into the trough and the goat begins to drink. Another faint roar can be heard along with the clash of weapons. Gabrielle drops the bucket and moves swiftly towards the sound of the battle. Remembering herself she stops abruptly, as if being held by a tether. She stares off into the distance, a troubled look on her face. Suddenly she gasps and clutches at her stomach.

CUT TO

Naomi kneeling beside the hearth, stirring the contents of a pot. Gabrielle enters, still clutching her middle.

GABRIELLE:
     Naomi!

Naomi leaps to her feet and rushes to her.

NAOMI:
     Gabrielle! What is it, child? Is it time?

GABRIELLE (nods):
     It started earlier this morning. I couldn't be sure--but the pains are coming closer together now!

Naomi takes hold of Gabrielle's elbow and leads her.

NAOMI:
     You need to lay down. Darion!

Darion comes running in and his eyes go wide at the sight of Gabrielle.

DARION:
     What's wrong? Is it--?

NAOMI:
     It's time. Fetch some water and put it on the fire. And bring me towels. (Gabrielle gasps as another contraction hits. Naomi waves impatiently at Darion.) Quickly!

Darion takes off running.

CUT TO

Xena running across the battlefield.

Pan to Sabina, wielding two swords. She whips them back and forth, disarming and killing four men in a matter of seconds, then hurling one of the swords at an oncoming Israelite cavalryman. Close-up on the Israelite's face, then on the sword hurtling toward him. There is the sound of a blow. Pan to show the soldier from the back, the blade protruding from the back of his head as he falls.

Pan back to Sabina as she continues to fight. In the background, we see Xena do a flying kick, then pause as she clearly spots Sabina. She lands on her horse, a fierce look in her eyes.

XENA:
     Alalalala--sheeeeyah!

Sabina, who has her back to Xena, freezes at the battle cry. Then, slowly, she turns to face Xena.

The two women stare at each other for a long moment, each with her sword drawn.

Close-up on Xena, her face hard, lip curled up in a slight snarl.

Close-up on Sabina, a chilly smile on her face.

Medium shot of Xena as she turns and rides away.

Close-up on Sabina as she stares after Xena.

SABINA:
     Maybe next time.

INTERCUT with Gabrielle at Naomi's home.

Naomi stands next to Gabrielle.

NAOMI:
     How are you doing?

CUT TO

Xena does a flying scissors kick, removing two warriors from their horses.

A Roman cavalryman decapitates a Israelite cavalryman.

The Israelite archers fire another round at the Romans, but the Romans are ready for them this time. They bring their shields up and as a result, only a few Roman cavalrymen die.

CUT TO

Gabrielle shakes her head, red in the face.

GABRIELLE:
     I'm pushing but--nothing's happening!

Naomi lays her hand on Gabrielle's stomach. She sighs and shakes her head.

NAOMI:
     It's breech.

GABRIELLE (gasping):
     Then that means you'll have to cut--

Naomi presses her lips together and pats Gabrielle's hand comfortingly.

NAOMI:
     I'll be right back, child.

CUT TO

Xena, using her thighs as a vise, strangles a warrior while sitting on top of him.

John now has an axe that he is using to thrash his opponents.

Titus gets cut on the arm by a warrior coming up behind him and his reaction is a bit more wimpy than what one would expect from a military leader. He wildly swings his sword behind him in a blind rage, slashing the warrior's throat.

CUT TO

Naomi hurrying to find Darion seated beside the hearth, watching a boiling kettle of water. He jumps up when he sees her.

DARION:
     How is she?

NAOMI:
     Darion, I need you to do something for me. Run down to the end of the street and find Efrat, wife of the blacksmith Jonah ben Adi. Tell her to come right away!

Darion swallows, wide eyed. He is obviously terrified.

DARION:
     Naomi, is Gabrielle going to--?

NAOMI:
     Don't talk foolish, boy. Run for Efrat!

Darion nods mutely and runs off.

CUT TO

Xena slashing a man across the abdomen with her sword before running him through.

A panoramic shot shows that even with Xena's help, the Israelites are no match for the Romans. The Romans have maneuvered out of being trapped between two lines of enemies and are steadily pushing the Israelites back toward the gates of the city.

Zoom in on John, who is covered in blood--but mostly the blood of his enemies.

Pan to Xena, at some distance from him, fighting on foot. There is a brief pause as she and John exchange a meaningful look.

A long shot of Xena as she finishes off the warrior she's fighting with a palm heel to the nose and a kick to the face. Two more Roman infantrymen charge at her. She knocks down one of them and spars with the other. Meanwhile, the soldier she knocked down before staggers to his feet, swings his sword in slow motion, and hits Xena in the back of the head.

Xena sways and falls.

Pan to John as he yells out frantically to his men.

JOHN:
     Xena's down! Get her inside now!

Pan to Titus.

TITUS (to his men):
     Get Xena! She's down, take her now!

Sabina gallops up to him.

SABINA:
     What's going on?

TITUS (smirks):
     Xena is down... (off her shocked look) at the hands of a common soldier.

SABINA (stunned):
     That's impossible!

TITUS:
     I always knew she was overrated.

Sabina gives him a look that mixes scorn and disbelief.

A group of Roman cavalrymen ride toward where Xena fell, but she is already surrounded by Israelite foot soldiers and cavalrymen. She is hoisted up on one of the horses and carried toward the gates, into the thick of the Israelite forces.

Pan to Titus, who lets out an infuriated groan.

CUT TO

Darion in front of a house. He pounds his fist on the front door but there is no answer. He runs around the side in an attempt to find a window.

A passing old man notices him.

OLD MAN:
     Looking for Jonah the blacksmith, are you, boy?

Darion shakes his head breathlessly.

DARION:
     I need to find his wife Efrat. Do you know where she is?

OLD MAN (shakes his head):
     Jonah and Efrat made a run for it once the battle began. You won't see them for dust.

Darion glances back at the house then takes off running.

CUT TO

Inside the gates. An Israelite warrior rides up with Xena in the saddle. She sits up, then dismounts.

Two men in Roman uniforms are standing right behind her. Xena looks back at them and grins.

XENA (to the men):
     Told you the fake uniforms would work.

The men take off their helmets.

MAN #1 (grins sheepishly):
     Yeah--as long as they didn't get us killed by our own side.

XENA:
     You did great.

Bar-Giora and Eleazar approach.

ELEAZAR (chuckles, to Xena):
     How's the head?

XENA (mockingly rubs the side of her head):
     Peachy. And now for the second wave. Remember, we wait until the Romans are almost at the gates, and then--

There is a commotion off-camera. A child's voice is heard shouting, "Let me go!"

Xena whips around to see one of the Sicarii holding a boy who tries to break free. Xena instantly knows who it is.

XENA (raises her voice):
     Let him through.

The Sicarii warrior looks to Bar-Giora, who nods. The warrior lets go of the boy, who runs up to Xena. It's Darion.

XENA:
     Darion! What are you doing here?

DARION:
     It's Gabrielle. She's--

All of the color drains from Xena's face.

DARION (continues):
     She's in trouble. There's something wrong with the baby. (He's almost crying) Really wrong. She's going to die if--

Close-up on Xena as she stares at him, horrified. His voice fades as we go to:

Medium close-up on Darion. There are tears streaming down his face.

DARION:
     Xena, please!

Xena stares at him, her face reflecting a struggle.

XENA (to Eleazar and Bar-Giora):
     You two--start the second wave. I'll come back as soon as I can.

ELEAZAR:
     Wait a minute--you can't leave now--

BAR-GIORA:
     I knew it. I knew we couldn't count on you. I told that fool--

Xena grabs him in anger. Bar-Giora is momentarily caught off-guard, as is Eleazar. One of the Sicarii tries to make a move on Xena, but a swift, hard kick in the chest from her puts him in his place: knocked out in the corner.

XENA:
     I don't have time for this. My friend needs me. Now, you are going to stay here and follow the plan.

Bar-Giora finally finds his nerve. He breaks her grip on him.

BAR-GIORA:
     I'll do what I have to.

ELEAZAR (glumly):
     So will I.

XENA:
     Looks like I'll have to trust you. Darion, come on.

They run off.

The camera moves in on Eleazar and Bar-Giora, who look after them. Eleazar looks disappointed and angry; Bar-Giora has a slight grin on his face as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT THREE