ACT ONE

FADE IN

The night is very dark; the moon is hidden behind a cloud. Xena is sitting by a campfire sharpening her sword. Gabrielle and Eve are sitting next to her, finishing off the last of the fish they'd had for dinner.

GABRIELLE (looks at Xena):
     So, where are we headed tomorrow? I was thinking we could take a few days off to visit my sister in Potidaea. It's not too far from here and I'd like to catch up with her and Sarah.

XENA (stops sharpening her sword, looks at her friend):
     I guess we could. It would be nice to get a home cooked meal and a warm bed for a few nights. (smiles)

GABRIELLE:
     Great! (smiles and goes back to her meal)

Xena goes back to sharpening her sword. Then, there's a rustling sound in the forest. Xena looks up and hears it again, this time louder. She stands up and surveys the scenery. Gabrielle too stands, unsheathing her sais.

EVE (stands, somewhat cautious):
     What was that?

Xena walks over to a bush and points her sword at it.

XENA:
     You'd better come out unless you want a taste of my sword!

MAN'S VOICE (pleading):
     No! Please don't!

A man walks out from behind the bush, the look of fear on his face. It's the same man from Athens. Seeing him, Xena puts her sword down and Gabrielle behind her too puts her weapons away.

MAN:
     I'm not here to harm you.

XENA (looks him up and down, cracks a grin):
          You got that right.

Gabrielle and Eve walk up next to Xena.

XENA:
     Who are you and why were you sneaking around?

MAN:
     My name is Delemus, are you Xena?

XENA:
     Yes.

DELEMUS:
     I have a message for you from Pericles.

XENA:
     Pericles, the ruler of Athens?

Gabrielle touches Xena's arm.

GABRIELLE:
     You know him?

XENA (looks at her):
     By reputation. I know that he is a good, wise, honest man.

DELEMUS:
     Was.

EVE:
     What?

DELEMUS:
     He's dead.

Xena, Gabrielle and Eve look at each other and then at Delemus.

XENA:
     How did that happen? He isn't a very old man and he's always been in good health.

DELEMUS:
     The plague that has struck all of Athens killed him.

EVE:
     A plague has struck Athens? That's terrible.

DELEMUS (reaches into his toga, retrieving the scroll, looks at Xena):
     He wanted me to give this to you.

Xena takes the scroll, opens it and reads. Her face looks troubled.

XENA:
     Gabrielle. Eve. We have to go to Athens as soon as possible. With Pericles gone, he's asked me to take over control of the Athenian military. Otherwise, Sparta will destroy Athens.

GABRIELLE:
     Sparta?

DELEMUS:
     Yes. A war between Sparta and Athens has been going on for around a year now.

XENA:
     We spend a little time away from Greece and look what happens. (looks at Delemus) Thank you. We'll leave right away.

Delemus nods his head. Xena, Gabrielle, and Eve start packing up camp as they prepare to head to Athens with Delemus.

CUT TO

Early in the morning as the sun comes up, Delemus, Xena, Gabrielle and Eve walk through the city gates of Athens. They stop and wince at the smell of sickness and death that hits their nostrils and the sight of dead and dying people in the streets.

EVE:
     Isn't there anything that can be done to help these poor people? They're suffering so much.

DELEMUS:
     We would if we could. There are too many severely sick, and not enough healers in the city to try and treat them. And what's even worse is that, with the war going on, we cannot bring in any medics from the outside. The body count is growing so fast that if this keeps up, Athens will be depopulated.

GABRIELLE:
     No...that can't be.

XENA (grimly):
     Maybe we'll be able to find a way to help, Gabrielle. But first let's take care of the war, or there won't be an Athens left to save.

GABRIELLE:
     You're right.

DELEMUS:
     Come, I'll take you to the hall of the city government.

The four of them continue through the streets. Suddenly, Gabrielle stops and looks back at something that has caught her eye. Standing by a small house of wood and mud is Virgil. He is leaning against the side, his head hanging down.

GABRIELLE:
     Virgil? (running toward him) Virgil!

Virgil looks up, seeing Gabrielle running toward him. His eyes are glistening with tears. Hearing his name, Xena and Eve look back and follow Gabrielle while Delemus waits for them.

VIRGIL:
     Ga-Gabrielle? I can't believe you're here.

GABRIELLE (smiles, hugs him):
     It's been a long time, Virgil.

VIRGIL (rubs his eyes briefly, smiles half-heartedly):
     How've you been? Kept busy?

GABRIELLE (smiles back):
     You have no idea. (she pauses and then adds, concerned) Virgil...is everything all right?

VIRGIL (looks down sadly):
     I wish I had good news, Gabrielle. My mother got the plague a few weeks ago. I did everything I could but...she didn't make it.

XENA (walking up to him):
     Meg's dead? (Virgil nods) I'm sorry.

VIRGIL:
     And now, my younger brother and sister are both showing symptoms. They aren't that ill yet, but I fear they'll get worse. I don't know what to do; I'm the only one they've got now.

EVE (walks up to him, lays a hand on his shoulder):
     Virgil...I'd like to help you take care of them, at least while we're in Athens.

XENA:
     You think there's something you can do, Eve?

EVE:
     Yes, Mother. I learned a little about medicine when I was traveling through Chin and Indus. I want to help. Besides (looks at Virgil) I have reason to help you. I still feel guilty for... (looks down, ashamed, and then looks up) I can't bear the thought of you losing any more of your family if there is anything I can do. Maybe I can make up for... (her voice breaks off)

XENA:
     Okay, Eve. You do what you can. Come on, Gabrielle, we have a city to run and a war to stop.

GABRIELLE (nods):
     All right. (looks at Virgil) Virgil, I hope everything works out.

VIRGIL:
     Thanks.

Gabrielle smiles at him and then she and Xena go to catch up with Delemus as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT ONE