On Sabina smiling seductively at Ares. She puts the peach down on the desk and reaches out to touch his chest. Ares puts his hands on her shoulders and she moves in to kiss him, half-closing her eyes. Then he turns her around and sits her down in the chair. Her eyes fly open in shock.

ARES (suavely):
     I'm impressed. (off her wary look) No, really, I am. But I think your conquests are best kept to the battlefield.

Slightly shaken, Sabina smoothes over her leather skirt and clears her throat, trying to regain her composure.

SABINA (looks up at Ares, still not entirely sure of herself):
     So--we're a team, then?

ARES (chuckles):
     Since when did you need my answer? (Sabina looks at him probingly, obviously trying to figure him out) Go on, Sabina. (Solemnly and sternly) Lead your army to victory. I'll be watching. (He straightens up and throws his head back, preparing to disappear--then looks back at Sabina and smirks, relaxing his posture) By the way--next time you try this routine on someone... (shakes his head as if to say, "You're overdoing it," and lowers his voice to a confidential near-whisper) ...lose the peach.

Ares vanishes. Sabina frowns, then picks up the peach and pensively bites into it.

A quick burst of light flashes across the screen:

[END OF FLASHBACK]

[FLASHBACK]

A large hut with lit wall torches hung completely around the room every few feet. In the center of the room a dozen Amazons have gathered in a semi-circle. Gabrielle, now clothed in her Amazon garb and wearing the necklace that signifies her as Queen, sits at the center. Eve is seated to her right and Cyane to her left. A loud din of voices is heard as Gabrielle remains quiet, looking on patiently. Eve glances at her expectantly while Cyane frowns at the arguing women.

Xena is standing near the entrance, leaning against the wall with her arms folded sullenly across her chest.

AMAZON #1:
     If we go against Valeria Sabina, it's the death of the Amazon Nation!

AMAZON #2:
     And how much time do you think we have left if we don't oppose her?

AMAZON #3:
     I'd rather die all at once, with a sword in my hands, than bit by bit as one of Sabina's whipped dogs.

AMAZON #1:
     Spoken like a true Celt barbarian! I'd appreciate it if you didn't volunteer me for any of your suicide missions!

AMAZON #3:
     As if I'd want to die fighting beside a Norse cow like you!

The arguing increases in intensity and Xena rolls her eyes in irritation and glares at Gabrielle, who is calmly observing each Amazon. Finally, Cyane raises her hands to silence them.

CYANE:
     That's enough! This fighting is getting us nowhere! We've heard Queen Gabrielle's recommendation and the arguments both for and against going to war with Sabina. Now it's time to vote.

AMAZON #2:
     Wait! With Varia gone, there are only twelve of us on the Council. What happens if there's a tie?

GABRIELLE:
     As Queen, I reserve the right to cast the deciding vote. (she takes a deep breath and glances around the room) It's time. Those in favor of going into battle against Valeria Sabina, stand.

Four Amazons stand at once. Slowly, a fifth rises. The camera pans across the remaining women and stops at Cyane, who's head is bent deep in deliberation. With a weary sigh, she stands and glances around the room. The remaining women stay seated.

GABRIELLE (nods calmly):
     A tie. The decision is up to me.

AMAZON #1 (snidely):
     Pack your swords and spears and kiss your loved ones goodbye, ladies. It's off to war.

GABRIELLE (darts a scathing glance at her then thinks a moment):
     Since you already know where I stand, it wouldn't be fair for me to cast the deciding vote. It's within my rights to yield to my next in line.

Gabrielle slowly turns her head to look at Eve.

EVE (gapes as the realization falls on her):
     Me?

AMAZON #1 (snorts derisively):
     Oh sure--that's fair. Give the deciding vote to your little puppet!

GABRIELLE (ignoring her and looking at the rest of the Amazons):
     Eve is the only one here that hasn't given her opinion yet. I know that she'll make her decision based on what she believes is best for the Amazon Nation--regardless of what I think.

CUT TO

Xena takes half a step forward as if to put a stop to this. Obviously with great restraint, she stops and steps back, waiting. She stares anxiously at Eve.

Open-mouthed, Eve looks into the face of each Amazon as they watch her expectantly. Eve studies them carefully. Finally, her gaze comes to rest on Gabrielle, who is smiling in a gentle, neutral way. She looks across the room at Xena. Mother and daughter exchange a long, tense look. Eve bows her head and slowly rises, taking her place with the other six Amazons.

CUT TO

The scene slowly cross-fades to the same hut, some time later. The Council has dispersed and Eve and Gabrielle are alone. Eve's head is bent and she grips a staff tightly in her hands. Gabrielle watches her closely.

EVE:
     I did the right thing, Gabrielle. (she is silent a moment, then turns and speaks with a little less conviction) Didn't I?

GABRIELLE:
     You have to reconcile your decision with your own conscience, Eve. I can't do that for you. But I will tell you that I think you acted in the best interest of the Amazon Nation. (a sad smile) Though I'm not sure that helps.

EVE (murmuring thoughtfully):
     It does.

There is a "whoosh" and a flash of light. The two women turn with a start and see Ares, who stands watching them with an unreadable expression on his face. Eve walks over to the wall and half-turns away, while Gabrielle obviously steels herself and meets his eye.

GABRIELLE:
     What are you doing here, Ares? Wouldn't your time be better spent trying to convince Xena that you aren't helping Sabina?

ARES (chuckles bitterly):
     Convince her? There are things even a god can't do. Getting Xena to change her mind once she's made it up happens to be one of them. (pauses and tilts his head) Besides, why should I want to convince her I'm not helping Sabina?

GABRIELLE (sighs):
     Because I don't believe you are.

ARES:
     Really. (pauses, pursing his lips) I'm touched.

GABRIELLE (passionately):
     I just don't believe that after everything you've done for Xena, you would throw away--

ARES (holds out a hand, silencing her):
     Let's leave Xena out of this for the moment. I wanted to talk to you--in an official capacity.

GABRIELLE (frowns in puzzlement):
     Official...?

ARES:
     As God of War to Queen of the Amazons. (Gabrielle stares at him, narrowing her eyes) You're going to lead them against Sabina. I'm sure you could use the help of a god.

Eve turns to him, her face expressing a mix of pleasant surprise and uncertainty.

GABRIELLE (with a sigh of relief):
     Ares, I knew you'd--

ARES (holds out his hand again):
     Not so fast. There are strings attached. (Gabrielle's face crumbles) You see, Xena was right about Sabina. (Gabrielle stares at him, horrified; a quick close-up of Eve, who looks disgusted.) She is everything I've always wanted in a Warrior Queen. Oh, don't get me wrong--she's not Xena. No one else is. But sometimes you have to take what you can get. So, if I'm going to pass up that kind of opportunity--I want something in return. (he pauses and comes closer to Gabrielle) Right after I got my godhood back, I made a deal with Varia. The Amazons were going to worship me as their patron god. Then Xena got involved and messed it all up.

GABRIELLE (eyes widening):
     You want the Amazons to--

ARES:
     To swear their allegiance to me.

EVE (vehemently):
     You bastard!

ARES (turns to her, mockingly):
     Oh, we have company. (turns back to Gabrielle, his face growing grim) I'm a god, Gabrielle. I need worshippers. I need warriors who'll fight in my name. It's who I am.

GABRIELLE (shakes her head bitterly):
     Ares...that's not all you are.

ARES:
     I think it's about time for me to start being professional about this. (looks at her wryly) So, you need time to think?

EVE:
     No, she doesn't.

GABRIELLE (turns to Eve and shakes her head slightly, stopping her, then looks at Ares again):
     Ares, if the Amazons follow you, all you'll do is get them into more wars.

ARES:
     You seem to be doing that with no help from me.

GABRIELLE (turns crimson):
     This is different. We're fighting a just war. And besides--

ARES:
     And besides, what?

GABRIELLE (lowers her head):
     I was hoping that right now, gaining worshippers wouldn't be the most important-- (her voice breaking off, she shakes her head slightly and then looks up) The answer is no.

ARES (crosses his arms on his chest):
     Very well. You've made your choice. Don't blame me for making mine.

As the blue light starts to flare around him, Gabrielle calls out.

GABRIELLE:
      Ares!

ARES (the blue light around him fading):
     What?

GABRIELLE:
     Why are you doing this?

ARES:
     Because it's what I do.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena believes you're back to being a cold bastard who's only out for himself--and you think that because she'll believe it no matter what, you might as well prove her right.

Ares clenches his jaws and swallows hard, his eyes flickering. Without another word, he flashes out of sight. Gabrielle stares at the spot where he vanished, then looks at Eve.

GABRIELLE (firmly):
     Eve, I want you to do me a favor.

EVE (puzzled):
     What?

GABRIELLE:
     Don't tell Xena about--what just happened. (off Eve's bewildered look) Not yet.

A close-up on Gabrielle's anguished face.

CUT TO

The exterior of the Amazon village. It's morning and the sun has just risen. The village is in a flurry of activity as the warriors are preparing for the march. Eve and Klymene come out of a hut. Eve draws a comforting arm around the girl's shoulders.

KLYMENE:
     I don't understand why you have to go.

EVE (shakes her head and smiles gently):
     Klymene, we talked about this last night. You know why.

Klymene's lips tremble as if she's fighting to hold back her tears.

KLYMENE:
     But you told me killing is wrong.

EVE:
     No. There's a difference between killing out of hatred and revenge and fighting for what you believe in. I've learned that here.

Klymene stares up at Eve resentfully.

EVE:
     Klymene, I'm doing this for you. For you and for all of my...sisters.

KLYMENE:
     But you might... (she wipes at a tear in frustration and looks away) and I'd never know what happened. (she looks up at Eve beseechingly) You could take me with you. That way--

EVE (shakes her head):
     No, Klymene. (Eve slips her arm around Klymene's shoulders and leads the girl over to sit upon a tree stump, then sinks down to her knees.) You have to stay, in case anything happens to Gabrielle and me. (Eve takes a deep breath and takes the girl's hands in her own.) Klymene, I want you to take my rite of caste. If I don't come back, I want to know that the future of the Amazon Nation is in good hands. (Eve squeezes the girl's hands affectionately.) Will you promise me that?

KLYMENE (bows her head and nods miserably):
     I promise.

Xena and Gabrielle emerge from Gabrielle's hut. They walk side by side, the look on their faces sedated. Eve watches in confusion as Xena slips a saddlebag off her shoulder and slings it across Argo's back. She is obviously preparing the horse for travel. Eve rises to her feet.

EVE:
     Klymene, wait here.

Xena and Gabrielle look up as Eve approaches, a cautious expression on her face.

XENA:
     I was just coming to find you.

EVE:
     Where are you going?

XENA:
     To Athens.

EVE:
     Athens? But we're marching to Corinth tomorrow morning.

GABRIELLE:
     Your mother is going there to raise an army, Eve.

XENA (nods):
     I'm betting the Athenians aren't sleeping too well knowing that Sabina and her army are practically next door. I don't think they'll mind helping out if it means bringing Sabina to heel once and for all.

GABRIELLE (to Eve):
     Don't worry. We're going to meet up with her outside Larissa in a week.

XENA (nods):
     Right. At the crossing to the Peneus River.

GABRIELLE (stiffly reaches out and squeezes Xena's arm):
     Good luck.

XENA (awkwardly patting Gabrielle's hand):
     You too.

Gabrielle smiles uneasily at Xena and turns to walk away in order to give Xena and Eve a moment alone. She stops and turns back.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena? Why don't you take Haimon with you to Athens? I mean...you could probably use some help.

XENA (quickly masks her odd, confused look):
     Uh...sure. I suppose. I'll be heading out soon. Make sure he's ready.

GABRIELLE (nods, nearly gasping with relief):
     He'll be ready. Oh--and one more thing. (she bows her head and murmurs) Make sure he stays in Athens. Please. (she looks up at Xena imploringly) Do you understand?

XENA (nods and smiles sorrowfully):
     I think I do.

Gabrielle turns and walks off, leaving mother and daughter to stare tensely at one another a moment. Absently, Eve reaches out and begins to fiddle with a loose strap on Argo's saddle.

EVE (softly):
     You're disappointed in me, aren't you?

XENA (shakes her head in bewilderment):
     Disappointed? Why?

EVE:
     I saw the way you looked at me after I cast my vote.

XENA:
     Oh... (she looks away guiltily) I'm just worried about you, Eve. (grips Eve's shoulder) Whatever you do, I want it to be because it's the right thing for you--not because you've been told it's the right thing by me or Gabrielle.

EVE (looks up at Xena defensively):
     Gabrielle didn't try to sway my decision, Mother. She wanted me to follow my own conscience.

XENA (smiles apologetically and reaches out to stroke Eve's cheek with the back of her hand):
     Right. I guess I should know the both of you better than that.

EVE (peers curiously at Xena):
     You've been so distant lately. Is that why? You think Gabrielle has been a...bad influence on me?

XENA:
     No! No, that's not it at all! You and Gabrielle have been spending so much time together lately. Your rite of caste is a bond between you that I'll never... (Xena trails off and shakes her head as if to shake off feelings of insecurity)

EVE (shocked):
     You're my mother. And Gabrielle--she loves you...

XENA:
     And I love her. But with Gabrielle...things are a little more complicated now. Her Amazons come first. And I understand that...at least I'm trying to. When it comes to her and the Amazons, I'll always be an outsider.

EVE (her gaze drops sadly):
     It's strange. For so long, I was jealous of what you and Gabrielle had. There were times I wished she would just go away so that I could have you all to myself. And now, I just wish things could go back to the way they were.

XENA:
     I guess we've all got to learn to accept change. (Xena's attention is caught by something over Eve's shoulder. She arches her eyebrows) Though I suppose that's a harder lesson for some than for others.

Eve turns and sees Gabrielle and Haimon engaged in a heated argument. Meanwhile, three Amazons bustle about them, preparing Haimon's horse for travel. We can faintly hear Gabrielle say to Haimon "take care of yourself." Then she clasps her hands behind his neck and pulls him down for a short, though intense kiss. Abruptly, Gabrielle releases him and turns away, marching back into her hut, leaving a perplexed Haimon staring after her. He takes a step as if to follow her, but a look at the two Amazons standing guard at the door quickly discourages him.

XENA (wryly):
     I suppose I should get Haimon out of here before he does something stupid and finds himself chained up. (she turns to Eve, touching her cheek tenderly) I'll see you in a week, okay?

EVE (nods, tears welling in her eyes):
     A week.

Mother and daughter hug and then Xena turns and climbs up onto Argo.

XENA:
     Eve--I'm counting on you to look after Gabrielle.

EVE (reaches up and squeezes Xena's hand confidently):
     That's one thing you'll never have to worry about.

Xena smiles gratefully at Eve and takes up the reins in her hand. She gently nudges Argo's flanks. Close-up of Eve's face as she watches her mother ride off. After a moment, Eve sadly shakes her head and turns back towards Klymene.

CUT TO

A large column of Amazons on horseback, riding through a densely wooded forest. Gabrielle is heading them, Eve is at her side. Gabrielle picks her head up as a rider can be heard approaching.

GABRIELLE (holds up a hand to halt the column):
     Whoa!

Aia--an Amazon scout--gallops up, coming to a breathless halt before Gabrielle.

AIA:
     There's three men across the stream shadowing our movements. They're dressed as farmers, but I heard them talking. They're Sabina's scouts.

GABRIELLE:
     All right. (she turns in her saddle to address a woman behind her) Cyane, keep the column moving forward. Aia, Eve--come with me. This is one message Sabina isn't going to get.

CUT TO

Three men in farmers' clothing walk beside a stream. They look around cautiously, as if sensing that something isn't right. Scout #1 stops and holds up his hand, his eyes darting to the trees. He slowly draws his sword and his two companions do the same.

Gabrielle, Eve and Aia drop from the trees, surrounding the three men. Gabrielle and Aia have swords; Eve carries a staff.

Gabrielle eyes Scout #1 warily; he emits a low growl and charges her. Eve sidesteps a lunge from Scout #2 and he stumbles; she spins around to face him, crouching into a defensive position. He recovers his balance and charges her again. She delivers a hard blow to his chest and he lands on his back, gasping; as he tries to get up, she knocks him out with a blow to the head. She turns just in time to see Aia disarmed and laying on the ground, the third scout pinning her down with his knees. Eve leaps to her feet.

CUT TO

Gabrielle, who is still fighting Scout #1. She delivers a hard kick, which sends him stumbling backward. Gabrielle turns her head and sees Scout #3 raise his sword above his head. A close-up of Aia holding her hands up in front of her face.

Gabrielle is suddenly knocked to her knees by Scout #1, who has recovered his fighting stance. She loses her grip on her sword.

A tight shot of Aia as Scout #3 brings his sword down, running it through her chest.

EVE (off camera):
     Aia!

CUT TO

Gabrielle, on one knee. She draws a sai from her boot, ducks a swipe of Scout #1's blade and, with a savage yell, plunges her sai into his stomach. He drops his sword and hangs there a moment, a shocked expression on his face, then slowly crumples to the ground, dead. Gabrielle leaps to her feet and hurtles herself at Scout #2, who is trying to yank his sword from Aia's chest. Gabrielle lands on him, knocking him off of Aia's body, then leaps up. Scout #2 is only halfway to his feet before Gabrielle kicks him hard across the face. He sprawls on his back; a close-up of his face, his eyes rolling up. Gabrielle kicks him again in the head and he passes out. In a rage, she continues to kick him in the ribs and the head.

GABRIELLE:
     You son of a--

Two arms encircle her waist from behind and pull her away. She tries to break free, then turns to see Eve holding her.

EVE:
     He's beaten, Gabrielle. There's no reason to kill him.

Gabrielle fights Eve a moment longer, staring at her with almost unseeing eyes. Then she glances down at the unconscious man and seems almost frightened. She gasps and looks away.

A quick burst of white light flashes across the screen:

[END OF FLASHBACK]