ACT ONE

FADE IN

A beautiful sunny day at sea. The water is a vivid, glittering blue; an occasional gust of wind ripples the surface. The camera tracks right, bringing into view a small fishing vessel. We watch it for a moment.

CUT TO

The deck of the fishing boat. Nets, hooks, cables and other equipment are piled to one side. Xena and Gabrielle are leaning on the railing, looking out across the water. The wind is ruffling their hair.

The camera pans to show what they are looking at--a lush, green island up ahead. The headlands of a bay are visible; the ship has nearly reached its destination.

GABRIELLE (pointing):
     Those cliffs... Beautiful, aren't they?

XENA:
     Mm. If you're into rock formations.

GABRIELLE (storyteller voice):
     They say that among those rocks, you can hear the cries of the mighty Titans, imprisoned deep within the Earth after they were vanquished by the Olympians. (normal voice) Do you suppose they're still there, in Tartarus? I mean, Zeus is dead, Hades is dead--what keeps them there?

XENA (strained):
     I don't know, Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE (realizes she hit a sore spot):
     Xena--I'm sorry. I didn't mean... I know the Twilight had to happen. (determined) The gods have caused enough suffering. Mankind no longer needs them.

Xena is silent, looking out across the bay.

GABRIELLE:
     It's just that sometimes...I find it difficult to believe they're all gone, you know? Well, almost all. But it was the right thing to do.

XENA (quietly):
     Was it?

GABRIELLE (surprised):
     They wanted to kill Eve! You were protecting your daughter. There was no choice.

Close-up as Xena turns to Gabrielle.

XENA:
     That's the worst kind of situation, Gabrielle. When there's no choice.

GABRIELLE (after a pause):
     I'm glad it's behind us.

Footsteps approaching.

EVE:
     What's behind us?

Zoom out to show Eve coming to stand near Xena. She looks radiant, her cheeks reddened by the wind. Xena and Gabrielle return her cheerful smile as she, too, leans on the railing to look towards the shore.

XENA:
     The worst.

EVE:
     The worst is behind us?

XENA:
     Sure. (nods in the direction of the shore) We'll reach Andros soon.

GABRIELLE:
     It'll be good to relax for a while.

The camera shows the island, much closer now.

EVE:
     It looks lovely.

GABRIELLE:
     It is.

EVE:
     You've been there before?

XENA:
     A long time ago, before you were born. There were pirates raiding their shore.

EVE (grins):
     But not anymore. I bet they ran the moment they saw you on that island.

GABRIELLE (deadpan):
     Xena has that effect on people.

XENA:
     Hey!

Gabrielle laughs and ducks as Xena pretends to punch her.

As they struggle, everything seems to slow down, all sounds disappear and the deck of the ship is bathed in a white glow. Eve looks up in surprise. Michael is standing in the light; his wings open, smiling serenely. Soft heavenly music filters through the light. Eve's smile fades; she looks angry.

EVE:
     Well, if it isn't the messenger of Heaven. What's the matter, Michael? Do you want to distinguish yourself before God by getting me to martyr some more innocents?

Michael continues to look unperturbed; Eve's voice loses some of its fire.

EVE:
     Haven't you had your fill of messing with my life? Leave me alone.

She turns away.

MICHAEL:
     Eve...

EVE (turning back):
     Call me Livia! That's what you made me, wasn't it? Livia, the Bitch of Rome, the murderer of the followers of Eli. (voice breaking) My own people!

MICHAEL (regretfully):
     There are so many things you don't yet understand...

EVE:
     You're right, I don't understand. I don't understand why you let me become what I was. (looks down at her hands) Or why the God of Eli let you do it...

MICHAEL:
     The ways of our Lord are subtle, Eve. It is not for us to question Him. I am only His messenger.

EVE (glares at him):
     Forget it. I'm not your puppet, Michael. I won't do your dirty work, not anymore.

MICHAEL:
     You won't listen to me? Fine. Then listen to the word of the God of Eli.

His voice becomes deep and somber; the white light becomes almost blinding in its intensity.

MICHAEL:
     Thus speaks the Lord: Messenger of Eli! You have neglected your duties since I restored your mother's life. You have turned your face from me, and strayed from your path.

The light fades slightly, and the camera focuses on Eve's wide-eyed, terrified face. She kneels.

MICHAEL (in his normal voice, but very sure of himself now):
     Tell me, how many people have heard your message in recent months? How many have accepted the God of Love into their lives?

EVE:
     I don't... (raises her head) None.

MICHAEL (almost sympathetically):
     You needed some time with your mother, of course. But you should not forget the importance of your message. It is good that you are headed for Andros. Teach your message to the people there.

EVE:
     Is that my task?

MICHAEL:
     No. But it's a start.

He takes Eve's hand and draws her to her feet. She tries to move away, but Michael doesn't release her hand.

MICHAEL:
     It's your chance to prove yourself, Eve. Bring Andros to the God of Love, and He will reward you with a far more glorious task.

EVE:
     I don't want glory. I will do it because I love the God of Eli.

MICHAEL:
     Whatever.

EVE:
     But not yet. I promised my mother and Gabrielle to spend a few days with them in Andros.

MICHAEL:
     And delay our God's command for a family holiday? Of course you won't. You'll start your teaching the moment this ship drops anchor.

EVE (defiantly):
     I don't break my promises.

There is a screeching noise, and the white light shatters, leaving Michael standing on the wooden deck in rather undignified surprise. Xena grabs Eve's shoulder and positions herself between Eve and Michael.

XENA (to Michael):
     What do you want?

MICHAEL:
     Do you always intrude on private conversations?

XENA:
     Only when they involve some bastard with wings trying to force my daughter to do something she doesn't want to do. (lunges at Michael)

MICHAEL:
     Hey, mind the wings!

EVE:
     Mother, it's all right.

MICHAEL (petulantly straightening his wings):
     I hate overprotective mothers. (to Eve) The God of Love is counting on you. Don't let Him down.

He disappears. Close-up of Gabrielle and Xena looking at Eve in concern.

XENA:
     What's going on?

EVE:
     Mother...I won't be able to spend much time with you in Andros.

GABRIELLE (worried):
     Why not? Is something wrong?

EVE:
     Please don't worry. It's just that I've been called back to my task--I have to teach the message of Eli.

XENA (incredulous):
     In Andros?!

EVE (nods):
     Yes. The truth is, I haven't done any teaching in months...

GABRIELLE:
     Couldn't you wait a few more days?

EVE (shakes her head regretfully):
     No. That's why Michael was here--to remind me of my task.

XENA:
     I bet.

Eve gives her a pained look, upset by the venom in Xena's voice.

EVE:
     Mother, please. Whatever you...we...think of Michael--he is still God's servant. We owe the God of Love our lives. Teaching his message is the least I can do.

Xena nods reluctantly.

XENA:
     I understand.

EVE:
     Thank you.

Voices off-camera, sailors bringing the ship into port. Xena, Gabrielle and Eve move aside as a mooring cable sails over their heads, uncoiling in the air. The ship jerks as it is moored to the pier. Pan back to show the ship's captain approaching.

CAPTAIN (passing by):
     Welcome to Andros, ladies. Loveliest island in all of Greece. (to a sailor carrying a sack) Hey! Careful with that!

The captain disappears from view.

GABRIELLE (to Eve):
     Where are you going to go?

EVE:
     Where Eli's word is needed most. The God of Love will guide me. (smiles) I'll be all right; I'm a big girl.

XENA (hugs Eve):
     I know.

EVE:
     I'm sorry about the holiday.

GABRIELLE:
     Some other time.

XENA:
     Take care.

They begin to disembark.

CUT TO

A narrow lane, the buildings on each side occupied by shops. It's a busy market day, the lane is full of people buying, selling and gawking. Various merchants are plying their wares, calling out prices, trying to entice customers. Xena and Gabrielle make their way through the colorful crowd. A few traders try to get them to sample everything from cheese to silk, Gabrielle smiles at them, moving forward. Xena seems preoccupied.

GABRIELLE (to Xena):
     Do you think the old bakery is still here? They used to make terrific nutbread... (considers) Of course, that was nearly thirty years ago...

XENA:
     Uh-huh.

GABRIELLE:
     Wasn't it around here somewhere?

She cranes her neck, trying to see over the heads of the people in front.

GABRIELLE:
     You know, for all the years--this island hasn't changed much, has it? (turns to look on the other side of the lane) Finally, a place we can at least recognize.

Xena doesn't respond, looking around, her eyes narrowed.

GABRIELLE:
     You haven't heard a word I said, have you?

XENA:
     Sure I did. Nutbread.

GABRIELLE:
     All right--one word.

The camera pans as Gabrielle turns to look at whatever has caught the warrior's attention. There's nothing there, just a blank wall. Gabrielle looks from the empty spot back to Xena.

GABRIELLE:
     Great. Just great.

With an exasperated noise, Gabrielle reaches down for her sais and throws one at the spot where Xena was looking. The weapon whizzes through the air.

XENA:
     Gabrielle!

A flash of blue light shatters as Ares appears, catching the sai a hair's breadth from his face.

ARES:
     Whoa!

He lowers his hand and looks at the sai, then at Gabrielle and Xena--he had not intended to appear.

XENA:
     I'll have to remember that one for next time.

Ares tosses the sai back to Gabrielle, who catches it.

ARES:
     Okay, nice trick. It won't work again.

Gabrielle looks somewhat flattered; she sheathes the sai in her boot.

GABRIELLE:
     So you do have some mortal instincts left, Ares. At least the instinct to save your own skin.

ARES:
     Funny. And where would you be today if I hadn't saved yours?

GABRIELLE (half-joking):
     Probably in Heaven.

XENA:
     You and me both.

ARES:
     Oh yeah. I can see this cozy little scene right now. You, her, Eve, Michael...

XENA (winces at the mention of Michael):
     I guess I owe you for not letting that happen.

ARES:
     Actually, (he walks forward) that's why I'm here. I need to talk to you. (he stares meaningfully at Gabrielle) In private, if possible.

XENA (scowls):
     Calling in a favor, are you?

There is a pause as they look at each other.

ARES:
     No.

CUT TO

A grassy hillside. Eve is standing in front of a small gathering of people, finishing a speech.

EVE:
     Our lives don't belong to the gods; they are ours to control. If we can learn to treat one another with kindness, with love--our world will be Paradise.

WOMAN IN THE CROWD:
     And your life?

EVE:
     My life?

WOMAN:
     Is it yours to control? Don't you serve your god?

EVE (after an awkward pause):
     I serve...my conscience.

ANOTHER WOMAN IN THE CROWD (pleasantly):
     That's true for everyone here. (murmurs of assent around her) But you're a good speaker.

LITTLE GIRL:
     Are you a storyteller?

The people crowd around Eve.

EVE (to the little girl):
     No...I'm sorry. I don't know any stories.

LITTLE GIRL:
     Grandma does! Tell us a story, grandma?

All attention is immediately diverted from Eve to an old woman in the crowd.

OLD WOMAN:
     Which one would you like to hear?

Children call out their choice of a story; people settle down on the grass. Eve keeps to the back of the crowd, as though trying to decide. After a pause, she also sits down, next to the little girl.

OLD WOMAN:
     All right, all right...I'll tell you about the Titans. Let's see, now. A long, long time ago, when the Earth was still young...

The camera focuses on Eve, sitting cross-legged on the grass, then pans upwards. Michael, Raphael and Uriel are standing behind her as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT ONE