[FLASHBACK]

The headquarters hall at the Corinthian palace. Sabina sits at her desk looking over a map, twirling a dagger in her hand. There is a knock on the door. After a moment the door opens and Peneios comes in.

PENEIOS:
     Sabina.

SABINA (without lifting her head):
     Any news?

PENEIOS:
     None.

SABINA (looks up, a slightly worried look on her face):
     So, still no word from our scouts?

PENEIOS (shakes his head):
     No. (after a pause) You think it's--

SABINA:
     Xena. (in a low, intense voice) Of course it's her! She's up to something. (thoughtfully) I never should have let them leave Corinth alive.

PENEIOS (gives her a quizzical, somewhat skeptical look):
     Then why did you?

SABINA (in an icy voice):
     Are you implying that I was afraid to take on Xena? (she glares at Peneios until he lowers his eyes) I had--other priorities. (pauses and twirls the dagger again) But maybe I was too generous. At the very least, I should have kept her precious little girl as insurance. Xena's on the move, I can feel it.

PENEIOS (looks up again):
     So what do we do now?

SABINA:
     We wait. Theron's army left the Pindus Mountains four days ago; three more days and they should be here. With such reinforcements, I'm not worried about any tricks Xena could have up her sleeve. (pauses) Now go and tell the men to be ready for battle. (off his expectant look, raising her voice slightly) I said, go! You're dismissed.

Peneios bows his head and leaves. Sabina twirls the dagger and then, with a frustrated growl, drives it into an orange on the tray in front of her. A "whoosh" is heard off-camera and she turns around quickly to see Ares standing there, his arms folded, a somewhat sarcastic look on his face.

ARES:
     Punishing innocent fruit?

SABINA (trying to be lighthearted):
     Ah--is anyone in this world really innocent?

ARES (looks at the tray):
     I'd say oranges come pretty close. You're not losing your cool, are you?

SABINA (snorts):
     Why should I lose my cool?

ARES (scrunches up his eyebrows, pretending to think):
     Hmm...because you're learning some important lessons?

SABINA (brusquely):
     What kind of lessons?

ARES:
     Just a few things from the warlord's handbook. For instance, that it's one thing to conquer a city and another to hold on to it. Or that it's not very smart to make enemies that you're not sure you can beat.

SABINA (eyes narrowing slightly):
     You think I'm afraid of Xena?

ARES:
     Let's say you're worried about her.

SABINA (with a pleasant smile):
     You wouldn't happen to know what she's up to, would you?

ARES (smirks at her):
     You want me to spy for you? I'm afraid I'm a little overqualified for the job. Besides, I thought you weren't asking for my help.

SABINA (raises her chin a little):
     I'm not. I was just asking a question. (she rises from the chair so that she's at eye level with Ares, and stares at him coolly) Actually, I'm not worried about Xena at all. I know she's out there raising an army against me--probably the Amazons. But I'm one step ahead of her. You know who Theron is, don't you?

ARES (shrugs):
     A warlord who holds a small patch of ground near the Pindus Mountains?

SABINA:
     A warlord who has an army of more than five hundred--and is bringing it right here. I promised him a post in my army, he promised me his men.

ARES:
     That's not an army--it's a large band of cutthroats with a lot of aggression and very little discipline.

SABINA (nods, with a hint of a smile on her lips):
     Oh, I know that. But they can be a good buffer for my valuable troops. When Xena gets here with an army in tow, I'll put Theron and his men on the front lines to take the hit. With any luck, I won't have too many troublemakers left to deal with after it's over.

ARES (gives her a long stare):
     I am impressed.

SABINA (a satisfied smile flashes on her face):
     Thought you would be.

ARES:
     So that way, you consolidate your hold on Corinth...

SABINA:
     And then, use its wealth to recruit more soldiers--and move on to bigger things.

ARES (stares at her thoughtfully):
     I'm sure you will. (pauses) I'll see you around.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

[FLASHBACK]

Late afternoon. The Amazons are camped beside the Peneus River. Small campfires glow every dozen yards or so. Gabrielle and Eve sit before their own fire. Eve glances off into the woods expectantly while Gabrielle warms her hands near the flames.

EVE:
     Where is she? She's supposed to be here already.

GABRIELLE (calmly):
     She'll be here.

They sit in silence a few moments, Eve jittery and Gabrielle patient. Seeing Eve's anxiety, Gabrielle reaches out and pats Eve's hand with a smile.

GABRIELLE:
     Relax, Eve. You can count on Xena the way you can count on the sun rising in the east--maybe even more so.

A voice calls out from a distance.

AMAZON:
     Rider's coming!

GABRIELLE (grins):
     You see? That's her now.

Xena gallops up through the trees and leaps down off of Argo, handing her off to a waiting Amazon. Eve rushes up to Xena, hugging her and then stepping back.

XENA:
     I expected you to be further downriver. I almost didn't find you.

GABRIELLE:
     We got a little sidetracked this morning and had to cross a little further up.

XENA:
     Trouble?

GABRIELLE:
     We caught a few of Sabina's scouts following us. Nothing we couldn't handle. (she smiles genuinely) It's good to have you back, Xena. How did it go in Athens?

XENA (sighs):
     Not too bad. They wouldn't raise a real army--after the recent battle with the Persians, they weren't in the mood for another big war. But they've heard enough about Sabina to get nervous. So they're sending over one regiment. It'll be waiting for us at Melios--that's a village halfway between Athens and Corinth.

GABRIELLE:
     Great! So I guess we camp here tonight and head out for Corinth in the morning?

XENA:
     Sounds like a plan. (she sniffs at herself diffidently) I've been riding non-stop since late last night. I think I should wash up in the river before I'm in polite company. I smell like Argo.

GABRIELLE (catches a whiff and wrinkles her nose):
     Phew! More like Argo smells like you.

Xena gives her a mock-insulted look and Gabrielle laughs lightly. Xena shakes her head and walks off. Gabrielle stands still for a moment, a wistful look on her face.

AMAZON (off-screen):
     Another rider coming!

Gabrielle flinches and turns. The quick flash of joy on her face quickly gives way to shock and dismay.

CUT TO

Xena bathing in the river. She cups some water in her hands and scrubs at her face then pauses, cocking her head to one side. The camera pans over to Gabrielle racing to the edge of the water.

XENA (wryly):
     I don't suppose you're here to tell me any good news like Sabina has decided to surrender Corinth and dedicate herself to a life of love and peace?

GABRIELLE (glaring):
     Xena, you brought Haimon back with you.

Xena swims to the bank and gets out of the water while Gabrielle glowers at her. She pulls on her shift.

XENA:
     I didn't bring him back. Haimon's a grown man, he can make his own decisions.

GABRIELLE:
     I asked you to leave him in Athens.

XENA:
     What did you want me to do, Gabrielle? Lock him up and throw away the key?

GABRIELLE:
     If that's what it would have taken--yes! At least that way I'd know he'd be...

Gabrielle trails off and turns away.

XENA (gently):
     Alive?

Gabrielle flinches.

XENA (nods):
     So that's it then. I thought so.

GABRIELLE:
     Anyone that I've ever been...close to...ends up... (she smiles bitterly) After Perdicus, I decided it must be me. I don't think I can go through that again.

Xena steps around to face Gabrielle, laying her hands on her shoulders.

XENA:
     You can't live the rest of your life in fear, Gabrielle--afraid to love. (an almost beseeching look) You just can't.

CUT TO

The same riverbank, but it's almost dark now. Gabrielle's horse is drinking while Gabrielle stands next to it, patting its flank. With a "whoosh" and a flash, Ares materializes by her side. Gabrielle flinches slightly, her lips twitching. She looks at the stream. Ares stands for a few moments watching her silently.

GABRIELLE (finally losing patience):
     What do you want, Ares?

ARES (grabs her by the shoulder and turns her around):
     I want you to listen to reason.

GABRIELLE (smirks bitterly):
     Really. I never figured you for the voice of reason.

ARES (brutally):
     I'm really not interested in trading witty remarks, Gabrielle. (as she opens her mouth, he holds up a finger in a warning gesture) Listen to me. This is a war you can't win. Sabina has reinforcements coming--the warlord Theron and his army of more than five hundred men, riding toward Corinth from the Pindus Mountains at this very moment. Three more days, and they'll join Sabina. When you get there, you and your Amazons won't stand a chance. (he pauses, staring at her intently) Do you understand?

GABRIELLE (looks back at him, her mouth slightly open, then narrows her eyes):
     Is this a scare tactic to get me to pledge the Amazons' loyalty to you? I already told you, the answer is--

ARES (tightens his grip on her shoulder and brings his face closer to her):
     Think about what I told you, Gabrielle.

He releases her shoulder, steps back and vanishes in a flash of light.

Gabrielle stares after him, frowning slightly, obviously trying to figure this out. Then her eyes widen; she yanks at her horse's bridle and runs toward the camp.

CUT TO

The Amazon camp. Eve and Xena are sitting by a small campfire, Eve with her back to Xena, Xena slowly brushing Eve's hair with a tender smile on her face. Sleeping Amazons can be seen around them.

GABRIELLE (comes running, slightly out of breath):
     Xena, Eve--we--

The two women turn toward her with a start. Her voice breaking off, Gabrielle looks rather uncomfortable, realizing that she has interrupted an intimate moment.

XENA (frowns slightly):
     What is it, Gabrielle?

GABRIELLE (kneels next to them):
     We have to turn around.

EVE (puzzled):
     What are you talking about?

GABRIELLE (furrows her brow in concentration):
     If an army of five hundred men was headed on horseback from the Pindus Mountains toward Corinth and they were within three days of getting there, where would they be?

XENA (brusquely):
     What is this, a quiz?

GABRIELLE:
     Come on, Xena--where would they be now?

Xena frowns, thinking. Eve looks calmly at her mother and Gabrielle.

EVE:
     They'd be approaching Amphissa, about twenty leagues west of here. (off Xena and Gabrielle's slightly surprised looks, with bitter irony) If there's one thing they teach you in the Roman army, it's to memorize maps and calculate distances.

Xena bites her lip and lowers her eyes. Gabrielle sighs but steadily meets Eve's gaze.

GABRIELLE:
     Then tomorrow morning, we're heading that way.

XENA (suspiciously):
     What's going on?

GABRIELLE:
     Sabina's expecting reinforcements from a warlord named Theron. (Xena nods grimly, obviously recognizing the name, and then gives Gabrielle another wary look) If they get to Corinth before we do--

XENA:
     How exactly did you come by this information?

GABRIELLE:
     Does it matter?

XENA:
     Of course it does! How do you know that it's reliable? (Gabrielle looks away silently; Xena stares at her and then narrows her eyes) Wait a minute...you didn't get it from Ares, did you?

Gabrielle looks at her defensively. Xena's face reflects a mix of shock, hopefulness and distrust. She turns away.

EVE:
     Gabrielle, do you really think we can trust Ares? (gives Gabrielle a penetrating, meaningful look) It could be a trap, or a distraction--he could be trying to delay us and buy Sabina more time...

Gabrielle is silent for a moment. Her face shows an emotional struggle. She looks at Eve, and then at Xena. Their eyes meet.

XENA (softly):
     It's your call, Gabrielle. The Amazons are your people.

GABRIELLE (rises to her feet, a resolute look on her face):
     Then I've made my choice. We march toward Amphissa tomorrow morning.

CUT TO

A montage: the Amazons are marching down a road, past forests, hills, and villages. Gabrielle, Eve and Cyane are riding at the head of the Amazon army, while Xena and Haimon are riding to the side. Meanwhile an army of scruffy, thuggish-looking men on horseback is moving in the other direction, led by Theron, a stocky red-headed, red-bearded man in dark leathers.

An overhead shot of the road as the two armies close in on each other and begin to slow down. The camera pans down as the armies come to a halt, and closes in on Theron and Gabrielle, who are facing each other at a distance no more than two paces. Theron then turns his head to look at Xena, who gives him a dangerous smile. He looks shocked.

THERON (in a heavy, raspy voice):
     Xena! Long time, no see.

XENA (smiling):
     Indeed. Last time we met, you were just a kid leading a small gang of thugs. If memory serves me right, I took your toys away and sent you back to your room.

THERON (scowls):
     Lots of things have changed.

XENA:
     Yeah. You're twenty-seven years older and you're leading a much bigger gang.

THERON (lifts up his hands, looking a little nervous):
     I have no quarrel with you, Xena. Me and the boys are just headed to--

XENA (still smiling pleasantly):
     Corinth?

THERON (stunned):
     How did you know?

XENA:
     Let's just say I have my sources. (darts a quick look at Gabrielle) Well, I'm afraid your trip is canceled.

THERON (scowls):
     Says who?

XENA:
     Me and my friends.

She points to the Amazons. At Gabrielle's signal, the Amazons raise their bows and spears, taking aim. Theron's men find themselves staring into a forest of weapons.

THERON (looks at Xena uncertainly):
     You think I'll just let you push me around again?

XENA:
     I don't think you have much of a choice.

THERON (turning crimson):
     We'll see about that!

The camera pans over to Eve, who has a resolute look on her face.

EVE:
     Just a minute, Mother. (to Theron) Theron, tell me--

THERON (stares at her with awe):
     You're Xena's daughter? You're Livia of Rome, aren't you?

EVE (bows her head for a moment, her face darkening):
     There is no more Livia. I'm Eve, a princess of the Amazon nation, and I want to ask you something. Your alliance with Valeria Sabina--what do you plan to get out of it?

THERON (scoffs):
     High rank in a conquering army. Good enough for me.

EVE:
     And what makes you think you'll get that? Do you really believe that Sabina would tolerate a high-ranking officer in her army who had his own loyal following? (waves an arm toward the army behind Theron) Chances are, she's planning to use you and your men, and then destroy you the moment she no longer needs you.

Xena gives Eve a proud, pleased look.

THERON:
     What makes you think that?

EVE (lowers her head again, softly):
     Because that's what Livia would have done.

Theron is starting to hesitate.

XENA (looks at his uncertain expression and seizes the chance):
     Come on, Theron. If you want to keep your date with Sabina, you'll have to go through us first. And even if you do--which I doubt--all you'll be doing is walking into a trap. She'll double-cross you in the end. (off his increasingly hesitant look, as he fidgets and grunts inarticulately) You'll save yourself a lot of trouble if you turn around now. I can even promise I won't bother you much if you behave.

THERON:
     And how do you think it's going to look to my men if I turn tail and run without a fight?

XENA:
     How's it gonna look to them if you get knocked down on your behind?

Theron glowers at her silently and finally turns to his army.

THERON:
     We're turning back!

A murmur runs through the ranks. The camera pans over to Gabrielle, who gives Eve a quick smile and a pat on the shoulder.

CUT TO

Night. A long shot of Corinth in the distance, illuminated by the moonlight.

CUT TO

The Amazon encampment. Gabrielle stands in the center of a circle of Amazons who are seated at her feet, mesmerized. She has obviously just delivered a moving speech and smiles, making a slow, complete turn to look into the faces of the women.

GABRIELLE:
     Get a good night's rest. Tomorrow we liberate Corinth.

As if afraid to disturb the sanctity of the moment, the Amazons sit in silence as Gabrielle slowly leaves the circle.

The camera pans to Xena, seated at the very outside of the circle, bowing her head almost in reverence. As Gabrielle passes by her, she drops her hand down. Xena reaches up and the two women clasp hands for a brief, intimate moment.

CUT TO

Haimon reclining back against a tree in a lush grove, staring up at the moon. A faint rustling sound from the bushes can be heard and he grabs for the sword lying at his side. Footsteps can be heard approaching and he levels his sword in the direction of the noise. Gabrielle steps out into the open.

GABRIELLE:
     It's just me.

Haimon exhales in relief and lays his sword down.

HAIMON:
     You shouldn't be sneaking around out here.

GABRIELLE:
     I wasn't sneaking. Do you think you would have heard me coming if I was?

HAIMON (laughs lightly and shakes his head):
     True enough.

GABRIELLE (gestures awkwardly):
     Can I join you?

Haimon waves magnanimously and Gabrielle comes over, taking a seat beside him against the tree. Their shoulders brush against one another and Haimon darts a quick, anxious glance at her, then looks back up at the sky.

GABRIELLE:
     What are you doing out here by yourself?

HAIMON (shrugs):
     I like to go off alone before a battle--to think.

GABRIELLE (in a near whisper as she gazes up at the moon):
     What do you think about?

HAIMON:
     I don't know...I guess I just try to make peace with what I have to do. (he looks away) And what could happen.

GABRIELLE (nods and smiles softly):
     You do that too... (she laughs lightly) Xena used to think I was crazy to do that. But when I'm in the middle of a fight, surrounded by all that ugliness and death, I think a place like this helps remind me that there's still something beautiful in world. And then what I have to do isn't so hard. (her gaze drops to her hands folded in her lap) Haimon, I'm sorry--for shutting you out, for trying to get rid of you...lots of things.

HAIMON:
     I can't pretend I wasn't angry and...confused. (he pulls a blade of grass from the ground and fiddles with it a moment) You should have told me about your husband, Gabrielle. I would have understood.

GABRIELLE:
     How did you--? Oh, wait. (she frowns) Xena, right?

HAIMON (grinning disarmingly):
     You sent us off to Athens together, remember? Did you honestly think that in all that time your name wasn't going to come up? When she told me you wanted me to stay behind in Athens, it wasn't too hard to figure out the rest.

Gabrielle stares at him, open mouthed.

HAIMON:
     You're afraid I'm going to die.

Gabrielle draws her knees up to her chest and rests her chin on them.

GABRIELLE:
     It took a long time for me to get over Perdicus' death. After that, I tried telling myself that I didn't need... (she looks away uncomfortably) And then you came along and I felt...it scared me to think that it could happen all over again.

HAIMON (softly):
     Are you better off this way, Gabrielle? Shutting yourself so far away that no one will ever touch you again? Is it really worth it?

GABRIELLE (shakes her head and laughs ruefully):
     Until a few days ago, I would have said yes.

HAIMON:
     And now?

GABRIELLE (gazes at him with an odd mix of ardor and doubt):
     Now...I'm not so sure anymore.

Transfixed, Haimon swallows deeply as Gabrielle slowly leans forward and brushes her lips against his. After a moment, she pulls back slightly and he carefully studies her.

HAIMON:
     We don't have to do this. I know you're scared.

Gabrielle sits up on her knees and faces him. She cups his face in her hands.

GABRIELLE:
     Terrified... (gives him another quick, gentle kiss) But...

She leans in and kisses him passionately, her arms encircling his neck. Haimon is unresponsive for a moment, then his arms travel up around her back to hold her tightly against him. They continue to kiss as they slowly sink out of view to the ground as we: