FADE IN

Previously on Xena...

[MONTAGE]

* Xena and Ares on the docks.

XENA:
     I'll see you in the fall.

* A ship sailing toward Jerusalem.

* A busy street in Jerusalem.

XENA:
     So, tell me more about this Bar-Giora. Doesn't he want freedom from the Romans, just as you do?

JOHN (with sudden vehemence):
     He doesn't want freedom! He wants to rid us of the Romans, yes--but only to put us under the tyranny of fanatics like himself.

* The Sicarii warriors fighting Xena.

* Xena and Gabrielle talking with Josephus.

XENA (emphatic):
     Josephus, the way things are going now--the people who seek freedom for this land will kill each other before the Romans even get here.

* Xena and Gabrielle traveling on horseback through the desert.

XENA:
     It isn't about betrayal, Gabrielle. It's about survival.

* The Romans attack Josephus' garrison. Sabina and Titus are on horseback side by side.

* Josephus and his men are trapped by the Romans in tunnels under the fortress. They pray.

JOHN:
     Israelites, even those like Bar-Giora and his lot, would never desecrate their temple like that. Only an outsider would think such a thing.

* Bar-Giora takes over the Temple by force.

* Xena, John and Gabrielle are shocked to see Josephus alive, and as a messenger for the Romans.

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

* Xena helps put out the fire in the granary.

GABRIELLE (agitated):
     Cleansing fire... I can't believe this is what they meant. Taking the food away from their own people to make them more desperate?

* Josephus approaches Gabrielle.

JOSEPHUS:
     The offer--is for you to leave the city unharmed.

GABRIELLE:
     You mean--

JOSEPHUS:
     Safe passage back to Greece. For you and Xena.

GABRIELLE:
     The answer is no.

* Xena and Gabrielle in an argument

XENA:
     Gabrielle--you know how worried I am about you and Darion and-- Your staying here and risking your life won't do them any good

* Xena battles alongside John and the other Israelites against the Romans.

* Gabrielle goes into labor.

* Inside the city walls, Darion runs up to Xena.

DARION (out of breath and terrified):
     It's Gabrielle. She's--

* All color drains from Xena's face.

* Xena runs off, following Darion.

* Gabrielle gives birth

GABRIELLE:
     I'm going to call him Samuel.

* A piece of the wall of Jerusalem collapses as the Romans look on.

* Outside the temple.

SABINA:
     Burn it.

* The Romans rampage through Jerusalem.

* Outside the city walls, Xena and Gabrielle (holding her baby) sit watching as Jerusalem burns.

[END MONTAGE]

A vast, dry landscape. A dust storm forms and swirls over the ground.

In the distance, a rider is visible on the back of a large black horse, galloping fast across the sand. The camera zooms in on the rider, who is seen from the back; he is wearing a black cloak and a hood.

CUT TO

Jerusalem, near one of the city gates. Buildings destroyed by fire lie in ruins--nothing but death and destruction where a city full of life had once thrived. A long convoy of Israelite prisoners, their hands and feet chained, is led out of the gate, guarded by armed Roman soldiers.

The camera pans to Sabina who is surveying this scene, seated regally on a horse. She wears her bronze armor, a red cape draping her back, her head held high as she watches the prisoners being led away.

DISSOLVE TO

A commotion off-camera gets Sabina's attention. She whips around, then rides toward a half-ruined building and turns its corner. She sees five Roman soldiers fighting a cloaked man who is doing an impressive job of sparring with them and repelling them with powerful kicks and swings of his sword. We still don't see his face; the soldiers are partly blocking him from view and he is spinning around rapidly as he spars.

SABINA:
     What is going on?

Her voice causes the fight to halt for a moment. Two of the Romans manage to grab the man by the arms, but he struggles free and gets in a few more good kicks, causing the Romans to stagger backwards. They charge again. Pan to Sabina, a sudden look of recognition on her face. She grins a little.

SABINA (commanding):
     Stop!

The soldiers turn. Sabina dismounts and walks toward them.

SABINA:
     What did he do?

ROMAN SOLDIER (panting):
     Caught him riding around the city like he owns the place!

Sabina gestures for the soldiers to step back and they obey.

The camera pans to the cloaked man, who is standing with his back to Sabina. The hood of his cloak has slipped off. He turns around. It's Ares.

SABINA:
     Didn't think I'd find you here.

Ares looks at her and notices the insignia on her armor. He flashes her a sarcastic grin.

ARES:
     I could say the same to you. Valeria Sabina--a Roman general. My, my, you've moved up in the world.

SABINA:
     And you've moved down, haven't you. Rumor has it, you're mortal. (pause) And by the looks of it... (she looks him up and down, shaking a disapproving nod at his slightly scruffy appearance) ...I'd say rumor is right. What happened?

ARES (holds her stare confidently):
     Lots of things.

SABINA (crosses her arms, mocking):
     You mean, Xena. (off his silent stare) So...you've traveled all this way to find her. (sarcastic) Such noble devotion. Pity you're too late.

Close-up on Ares' face. He stares at Sabina in shock and alarm.

SABINA (continues, casually):
     She escaped when the city was taken.

Ares breathes an obvious sigh of relief.

SABINA (continues):
     If she hadn't been so distracted by Gabrielle--who knows, she might have saved the day for the Israelites. Of course, she would have only been postponing the inevitable. (confident, with a touch of arrogance) Rome would still prevail in the end.

ARES:
     Spoken like a true Roman. (pause) Enjoy your spoils.

He sheathes his sword and walks over to his horse, who stands by one of the ruined buildings. He takes the reins and mounts, looking back at Sabina.

ARES (continues):
     I've got a Warrior Princess to find.

He rides off through the gate as Sabina looks on.

ROMAN SOLDIER:
     You just let him leave?

SABINA (after a moment's pause):
     He's no threat to us here.

DISSOLVE TO

The dusty, desert landscape. A large caravan of dozens of people are traveling across the sand, the strong, harsh wind pushing against them, whipping up dust around them. Some are carrying packs and baskets, most of them are walking, some are riding horses. There is the occasional goat with them.

Amongst the group, Gabrielle (who is wearing her brown leather outfit again) and Darion are riding horses. Darion is riding his own horse, beside Gabrielle. Gabrielle is riding with Samuel who is resting securely in a sling hanging over her shoulder, attached to her front. Xena is walking beside Gabrielle's horse, her hand on the reigns, guiding the horse along. She glances up at Gabrielle and they share a brief, tender smile.

DISSOLVE TO

A tilted view of a towering Ionic-style column. Pan down where many other columns lie scattered at its base, some fallen and broken into many pieces, half-buried by sand, others half-leaning against each other. Stone slabs are scattered over the sand, and the foundations of many ancient stone buildings line a small but noticeable walkway. The remains of tall, imposing arches tower over portions of the walkway. The ground is barren, no trees in sight, but the ancient ruins provide plenty of shade from the blazing sun.

DISSOLVE TO

Gabrielle is sitting beneath a group of large fallen columns in the shade. Her pack is lying on the dirt. She holds her baby in her arms gently, breastfeeding him. Samuel coos while he feeds.

The expression on her face is one of tenderness but also a touch of worry. Naomi is sitting some distance from Gabrielle next to a pile of ruins staring into the distance, thoughtfully.

The large group of Israelites have spread themselves out throughout the ruins, resting.

Darion walks up, looking around.

DARION:
     Look at this place...

NAOMI (smiles a little):
     These are the ruins of the great, ancient city of Jericho.

Gabrielle nods slowly.

GABRIELLE (almost to herself):
     The ruins of a great city...

Xena walks into view. She looks tired and discouraged.

GABRIELLE:
     Couldn't find anything?

XENA (shakes head):
     There's not much to hunt out here.

GABRIELLE:
     At least we have enough grain to last us for a while--until we reach Petra.

Xena walks over to Gabrielle's pack and sifts through it, finding the waterskin. She takes a deep drink as she sits down beside Gabrielle.

XENA (nods toward Samuel):
     How's he doing?

GABRIELLE:
     He's a hungry little guy.

Xena smiles; she looks rather preoccupied. Darion walks toward them and holds out some dried figs to Gabrielle.

DARION:
     Here, take these.

GABRIELLE (shakes her head):
     No, they're supposed to be for you.

DARION (insistent):
     You need them more. You need your strength... (nods toward Samuel) ...for him.

He holds out the figs and finally, Gabrielle takes them.

GABRIELLE:
     Thank you... (smiles a little) for taking care of me.

DARION:
     Sure. I'll go look for some firewood.

Gabrielle hesitates. She looks at Xena, who nods her approval, then turns toward Darion.

GABRIELLE:
     All right--just stay close.

DARION (nods):
     I will.

Darion walks off. Gabrielle and Xena watch him for a long moment until he disappears behind a row of fallen stones.

XENA:
     He's really growing up.

GABRIELLE (reflective, quietly):
     He is. He's been through so much with us over these past few years. (looks down at Samuel who has now fallen asleep in her arms) And now with Samuel...it's going to be a lot more responsibility.

She stares ahead thoughtfully. Xena gives her an anguished, concerned look.

XENA (quietly):
     He's become the man of the house--long before any boy should be.

GABRIELLE (sighs):
     I can't wait to get back to Greece. It's been so long... Once we get these people to safety--we're going home.

XENA:
     It's not that simple.

GABRIELLE:
     What do you mean?

XENA:
     I have to find out what happened to John and his men. (close-up on her face; she looks guilty) I came here to help them, Gabrielle. And-- (she trails off, shaking her head, then looks up at Gabrielle) I have to help them now. (grimly) I owe them that much.

Gabrielle reaches out and takes Xena's hand, squeezing it gently in a reassuring gesture, as we:

FADE OUT

END OF TEASER