FADE IN

Xena atop Argo at the gates to Corinth. Several prominent citizens are there to see her off.

KODROS (reaches up to shake Xena's hand):
     Corinth is in your debt, Xena.

XENA:
     Corinth doesn't owe me anything. It never did. (she leans down, taking his hand) Good luck to you, Kodros. Keep your city safe.

KODROS:
     Always, Xena. Thanks to you.

CUT TO

Xena riding down a long stretch of road. A bored, tired expression slackens her features and she whistles tunelessly. When she hits a high, piercing note, Argo tosses her head agitatedly.

XENA (patting Argo's mane soothingly):
     Sorry, girl. (she sighs and looks around) Who would have guessed life on the road could be so quiet--and boring?

Argo neighs loudly.

XENA (frowns):
     I know--I miss Gabrielle too.

CUT TO

An Amazon sings the traditional funeral dirge before a pyre.

Gabrielle steps into frame, holding Darion by the hand. The camera pulls in tighter and tighter on Darion as he watches the fire burn. Tears can be seen welling in his eyes. He turns his head to bury his face against Gabrielle's side.

GABRIELLE (stroking his hair):
     I'm sorry...I'm so sorry.

Darion steps back, looking up at Gabrielle. She reaches out, wiping the tears from his cheeks.

GABRIELLE:
     Don't worry, Darion. I will find your sister. I promise. (she pauses a moment) Did you see the men that took her? Can you help me find them?

Trembling, Darion hurls himself into Gabrielle's embrace--petrified. Gabrielle picks him up, rocking him slightly in her arms.

GABRIELLE (gently):
     Okay. You're not ready to talk about it yet. I understand.

She carries him well away from the pyre and sets him on his feet dropping to her knees before him.

GABRIELLE:
     Maybe we can start with something a little easier. Like...maybe you can tell me your sister's name.

Darion stares blankly.

GABRIELLE (slightly at a loss):
     Are you hungry? When was the last time you ate?

He looks away as if he hasn't heard.

GABRIELLE (to herself):
     Maybe a good night's rest would help. (to Darion) Are you tired?

The boy doesn't respond.

GABRIELLE (sighs in disappointment):
     Right. It's going to take time.

CUT TO

A road in the dusk. Xena is riding along, lost in thought. Then she stops and looks at a spot under a tree. The corners of her mouth curve up in amusement.

XENA:
     Come out, Ares. I haven't got all day.

Ares materializes in a flash of blue light. Folding his arms on his chest, he gives Xena a wry smile.

ARES:
     Still busy saving the world?

XENA (smiles back teasingly):
     Still busy.

There is a pause during which both Ares and Xena look somewhat uncomfortable and at a loss for words. Ares clears his throat.

ARES:
     You know--if you can't wait to see Gabrielle and Eve, I could...

XENA (interrupts, frowning slightly):
     Drop it, Ares. You know that's not where I'm going.

ARES (serious):
     I could take you there, too.

Xena dismounts and stands facing him. She looks uncertain.

XENA (finally speaks, in a low voice):
     Is she there--in Pompeii?

ARES:
     I don't know. But I could check it out for you.

XENA:
     Ares... (She pauses, shaking her head slightly)

ARES:
     I believe your next line is "Thank you, but I've got to do this on my own."

XENA (grins a little, but her eyes are serious):
     I wasn't going to say "thank you."

ARES (theatrical sigh):
     Just think about the nasty shock you could have given me if you'd said yes.

XENA (sighs):
     Ares...I've seen enough of gods meddling in people's lives. (lowers her eyes) All kinds of gods.

ARES:
     I helped you fight the Persian army.

XENA:
     That was about saving the world. Or at least Greece. This is... (she sighs) ...more personal.

Ares gives her a searching look, and then seems shocked and almost pleased.

ARES:
     You're jealous, aren't you?

XENA (shakes her head):
     Let's just say I'd rather not have you involved where Sabina's concerned.

Ares looks exasperated for a moment. Then, his face softening, he comes closer, reaches out and touches Xena's cheek with the back of his hand.

ARES (gently):
     What would it take to make you trust me completely?

Xena is silent for a moment. Then, she slowly raises her hand and puts it on top of his.

XENA:
     That's just it, Ares. You can't make someone trust you... (her voice drops) ...or love you. You just--do your best and hope that someday, they will.

Ares looks at her and nods thoughtfully. He brings her hand to his lips and kisses it, and then smiles a seductive, roguish smile.

ARES:
     You know what I think? Maybe you don't want me on your side.

XENA (in an enigmatic tone that may or may not be playful):
     Why not?

ARES:
     Oh, I don't know. Because you have too much fun trying to kick my ass?

XENA (smiles in spite of herself, lifting an eyebrow):
     Trying? (Ares chuckles) Maybe you're right. Old habits die hard.

ARES:
     Well, I hope so. (he draws an arm around her waist, pulls her close and kisses her. Xena is hesitant at first but then responds fully and passionately to his kiss. Pulling away, Ares grins at her.) Yeah, you're right. They do.

He lets go of her hand and disappears. Xena looks after him and then shakes her head with a slight, amused smile.

DISSOLVE TO

Night. Xena is lying in her bedroll looking up at the moon, smiling wistfully.

XENA (in a soft voice):
     Good night, Gabrielle...I miss you... (sighs) ...you and Eve. It's so strange, saying good night to you like this across hundreds of leagues...not knowing what you're doing right now... (shaking her head slightly, she turns and settles into the bedroll) What am I talking about. You're probably just doing your boring old queen stuff.

CUT TO

Morning in the village. The Amazons bustle about, readying themselves for travel. Morai paces back and forth in an agitated state while Gabrielle watches, clearly annoyed.

MORAI:
     This isn't right!

GABRIELLE:
     And leaving these people with nothing is?

MORAI:
     Gabrielle, I feel sorry for these people--I do. But leaving them most of our game puts your own Amazons at risk.

GABRIELLE:
     We can't just abandon these people, Morai. We all have to make sacrifices sometimes.

MORAI:
     It seems the Amazons have gotten a lot of practice at that lately.

GABRIELLE (looks at Morai scathingly):
     Just do as you're told and make sure this village receives ten of the best deer from our hunt.

MORAI (bows her head slightly):
     Of course. I live to serve the Queen in all things.

The mockery doesn't escape Gabrielle and she turns away from Morai in near disgust and goes over to Darion, who stands beside the village woman from the teaser. Gabrielle reaches out and touches Darion's cheek.

GABRIELLE (to village woman):
     You'll watch out for him won't you, Prokne?

PROKNE (nods and squeezes Darion's shoulder):
     As if he was my own.

Gabrielle strokes Darion's hair gently and he stares down at his feet morosely.

GABRIELLE:
     I have to go now, Darion. But I promise I'll be back soon.

Darion looks up at her, an unreadable expression on his face.

GABRIELLE:
     And I swear that I'll find your sister Lykia. (she hugs him to her but the boy remains stiff and rigid. Clearly disappointed by his lack of emotion, she releases him with a sigh.) I'll see you soon.

Gabrielle turns and takes a few steps towards her horse but a child's voice can be heard calling to her.

CHILD'S VOICE:
     Gabrielle! Gabrielle--wait!

Gabrielle turns and gasps in both shock and joy that Darion has spoken for the first time since she met him. Darion pulls his hand from Prokne's and runs to Gabrielle.

DARION:
     Please don't leave me here! I want to go with you!

Darion throws his arms around Gabrielle's waist.

A close-up of Gabrielle's shocked face as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT ONE