FADE IN

Morning at the campsite. Xena, Gabrielle and Darion are rolling up their bedrolls.

DARION:
     Gabrielle, can we go pick some berries for breakfast?

GABRIELLE:
     Sure, sweetie, as soon as I finish up.

DARION:
     You know what I would really like? A rabbit.

GABRIELLE:
     Okay. I'll get you a rabbit for dinner.

DARION (stares at her in dismay):
     Uhh... I meant as a pet...

GABRIELLE (looks at him uncomfortably):
     Oh...of course you did! (with a forced laugh) I meant, you know, once I get you a rabbit, we'll, uh, have him over for dinner. (scrunches up her eyebrows, realizing that she isn't making much sense) Let's go get those berries, okay?

DARION (grins):
     Maybe you can get me a pet rabbit like the one you told me about--you know, with the huge fangs. (demonstrates the fangs with his hands) That would be great!

XENA (chuckles):
     A killer bunny for a pet. Wonderful.

GABRIELLE:
     Come on.

She picks up a basket and she and Darion start to walk away from the campsite.

XENA (looks after them):
     Be careful out there--you could run into those Romans.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena, from what you told me, it sounds like I can handle them. Don't worry. (to Darion) Just make sure you only pick the good berries, okay? You know what happened to Xena, Eve and me once when we ate some bad berries?

DARION:
     You got sick?

GABRIELLE (her voice fading away):
     No, it was a lot weirder than that--

As Gabrielle and Darion leave the campsite, Xena looks after them thoughtfully and shakes her head with a wistful smile. Then she takes their bedrolls over to the horses and begins to pack them away in the saddlebags. Suddenly, the sound of rustling leaves is heard from the same direction as the night before. Xena rolls her eyes, picks up her sword and walks towards the bushes.

XENA:
     You people are lousy at your job, but at least you're persistent.

The branches part, and Agrippina atop a gray horse, wearing a long silvery cape as the night before, rides out of the trees.

AGRIPPINA (puzzled):
     That's a strange way to greet a friend, Xena.

XENA (lowers her sword):
     Agrippina. (pauses) Last night, I caught some spies--apparently sent by your husband to track me and see if I was working with you.

Agrippina gives her a concerned look and dismounts.

AGRIPPINA:
     That doesn't surprise me.

XENA (turns away and starts packing again):
     Well, it sure surprised me. (pauses) And now, you show up. Why do I get the feeling you aren't here on vacation?

AGRIPPINA:
     I'm afraid I have some news. (pauses as Xena turns around) Bad news.

XENA:
     It usually is bad news. (she tugs vigorously at the saddlebags, tightening them, and then walks toward Agrippina) All right, let's hear it. Something about Claudius?

AGRIPPINA:
     It's been bad before, but now... (shakes her head) Do you remember Fufonius, the chief magistrate of Pompeii?

XENA (smirks):
     How could I forget.

AGRIPPINA:
     Xena, that poor man has been thrown in a dungeon. His only crime was that, when he recovered from his injuries and came to Rome to report on the disaster in Pompeii, he told the truth about what I did to help with the rescue.

Xena gives her a shocked look, then purses her lips and shakes her head.

XENA:
     So a Roman emperor is throwing people in prison because he considers them dangerous to his authority. That's news?

Agrippina chuckles bitterly. Just then, Gabrielle and Darion's voices are heard in the distance, getting closer. We see Gabrielle and Darion walking back into camp, Darion carrying a basket full of berries.

DARION (puzzled):
     So was it a dream or was it real?

GABRIELLE:
     Well, it was kind of both. It's complicated. See, those berries we ate make people see things, and then Aphrodite put us all in the same dream... (she trails off as she sees Xena standing with Agrippina near the horses)

DARION (points to the basket a little anxiously):
     But these are good berries, right? They won't make us see things?

GABRIELLE (a little distractedly):
     No, sweetie. I've made sure they're okay.

DARION (sees Agrippina and grins broadly):
     Wow, Agrippina is here! You think she brought me a present? (a little wistfully) You know, back home when a friend of my mom's used to come over from another village, she always used to bring me presents...

GABRIELLE (gives him a sad, concerned look at his mention of life at home):
     Uh...I don't know, Darion. (bends down to hug him) Just don't ask her if she's brought you a present, okay? That wouldn't be very nice. I promise Xena and I will give you lots of presents. (stands up and pats him on the head) Why don't you start eating your berries--I'll join you later, okay?

Darion waves at Agrippina, smiling, then sits down and starts to eat berries from the basket while Gabrielle goes over to Agrippina and Xena.

GABRIELLE:
     Agrippina. (smiles) It's good to see you again.

AGRIPPINA (sighs):
     Good to see you too, Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE:
     So, what brings you to Greece?

AGRIPPINA:
     Trouble, I'm afraid. I was just starting to tell Xena about it. (pause) Things are getting really bad in Rome, Gabrielle. People being thrown in jail on the slightest suspicion of treason, grain not being distributed to the poor--

GABRIELLE (winces):
     What is it with Roman emperors? Every one of them seems to go bad sooner or later.

XENA (shrugs):
     Something in the water?

AGRIPPINA:
     Even good rulers can be corrupted by having too much power in their hands. (sighs) Or they can fall under the influence of corrupt advisors. Claudius was a good man, once. Now, I can hardly recognize him as the man I married.

XENA:
     And you want us to do something about it?

AGRIPPINA:
     Xena, this doesn't just concern Rome. I know that many years ago, before your--disappearance, you helped Boadicea, the queen of Britannia, defeat Caesar's troops and preserve the freedom of her land. (Xena nods and gives her a curious look) Claudius is planning to launch a new invasion of Britannia in order to subjugate it and make it part of the Roman Empire.

XENA (stares at her, horrified):
     No.

AGRIPPINA:
     It's all too true, and I can prove it. (she reaches into a satchel she has at her belt, pulls out a scroll and hands it to Xena) This letter, from Claudius to one of his advisors, will speak for itself.

Xena and Gabrielle read the scroll, then exchange concerned looks.

GABRIELLE:
     How do we know this is genuine?

AGRIPPINA:
     Look at the imperial seal.

XENA (looks at her suspiciously):
     How did you get this?

AGRIPPINA:
     I have a--trusted friend who is close to the Emperor. He risked his head to get me this letter.

GABRIELLE (skeptical):
     And you're concerned about the freedom of Britannia?

AGRIPPINA:
     I'm a Roman patriot, Gabrielle. But some of us understand that the Empire has become too big. We can't afford any more conquests--more taxes to pay for them, more lives lost in battles. I have great respect for the queen who rules Britannia now, Boadicea the Second. But I am thinking about what's good for Rome, as well.

XENA (returns the scroll to her in a brusque gesture):
     All right, Agrippina. What do you want us to do?

AGRIPPINA:
     Help me and my son return to Rome. Then, we'll see what we can do. (smiles) Come on, Xena--you know we make a good team.

Xena looks at her, obviously hesitant.

GABRIELLE:
     Agrippina, I'm sorry--can Xena and I talk alone for a moment?

AGRIPPINA:
     Of course.

Xena and Gabrielle walk off to the side.

XENA (looks curiously at Gabrielle):
     You don't trust Agrippina, do you?

GABRIELLE:
     Xena...I remember you telling me that when you met Agrippina in Pompeii, the reason you were so impressed with her is that she never asked you to help her get back to the top. Now, it sounds like she's asking you for exactly that. Are you sure you know her well enough to--

XENA:
     No. And that's why we're going to go to Rome and look into it ourselves.

GABRIELLE:
     But you still plan on helping her.

XENA:
     Maybe if you had seen Agrippina the way I did, risking her life to save complete strangers... I think she's a good woman, Gabrielle. And I think she's telling us the truth. (gives Gabrielle a curious look) Funny, you're usually the one to trust people...

GABRIELLE:
     Maybe that's just it. I've trusted the wrong people too many times. Eventually, it's bound to make you a cynic.

XENA (puts a hand on her shoulder):
     No, no--not you, Gabrielle. (grins a little) Leave the cynicism to me, okay?

GABRIELLE (smiles affectionately):
     All right--if you insist. (pause) So we go to Rome, then.

XENA:
     We go to Rome.

Gabrielle and Xena walk back to Agrippina.

XENA:
     We'll help you.

CUT TO

The village we saw in the teaser. It's early evening; we see everyday scenes of villagers going about their daily tasks, children playing, chickens pecking at the dust, dogs running around. Xena, Gabrielle, Darion and Agrippina ride up to the small house near the edge of the village where we saw Agrippina and her son the night before. They start to dismount.

CUT TO

Inside the house. Domitius stands up as the door opens and Agrippina comes in with Xena and Gabrielle. Gabrielle is holding Darion's hand.

AGRIPPINA:
     Domitius--Xena, Warrior Princess, and Gabrielle, Bard of Potidaea. Xena, Gabrielle--this is my son, Lucius Domitius.

DARION:
     And I'm Darion.

GABRIELLE (laughs and ruffles his hair):
     This is Darion, my--son.

DOMITIUS (looks admiringly at Gabrielle):
     So you're the Bard of Potidaea.

Darion suddenly flinches and huddles closer to Gabrielle. Gabrielle pats him on the shoulder.

DOMITIUS (continues):
     You know, I am probably your biggest fan in the whole Roman Empire.

GABRIELLE (obviously flattered):
     So your mother tells me.

DOMITIUS:
     I was just a boy when I first read your scrolls--no older than your boy is now. (points to Darion, who is clutching Gabrielle's arm) I was truly captivated, from the very first line. You made me feel as if I had seen everything you wrote about with my own eyes--the Amazons and the Centaurs, and that brave mariner on the cursed ship, and that marvelously evil Callisto... (Gabrielle winces a little) But I apologize--I see that I've upset you. I forget that what is literature to me--great literature--was real life to you.

GABRIELLE (with a wan half-smile):
     It's all right, really. (to Darion) Darion, you've got a death grip on my arm. (strokes his hair) What's wrong, sweetie?

DOMITIUS (looks curiously at Darion):
     Maybe he's afraid of strangers.

DARION (mumbles):
     No, I'm not. (lets go of Gabrielle's arm) I'm going to go outside and play with the other kids, okay?

GABRIELLE:
     Okay. Just be careful. (follows Darion with her eyes as he runs out, then turns to Domitius, apologetically) He's had some bad experiences--his village was raided by bandits a couple of months ago. His parents were killed and his sister was carried off. (shakes her head) If I ever find the bastards who did it...

DOMITIUS:
     What a terrible thing to happen to a small child. The world can be such a wicked place sometimes. (sighs) Thank the gods there are people like you two to help make it better. (to Xena) It's a pleasure to meet the great Warrior Princess at last. After reading Gabrielle's scrolls, I feel like I know you already.

XENA (curtly):
     Thanks. Can we cut down on the introductions and get ready for the trip to Rome?

DOMITIUS:
     So you're going to help Mother.

XENA:
     We're going to find out what the situation is.

DOMITIUS:
     It's pretty bad, I can tell you that. Though, of course, Claudius isn't nearly as bad as Uncle Gaius--I mean, Caligula--

XENA (gives him a sharp look):
     Caligula was your uncle?

DOMITIUS:
     Of course. Didn't you-- (glances at Agrippina, then, slightly embarrassed) Oh. I thought Mother would have told you.

Xena shakes her head and slowly turns to Agrippina. The look on her face is both sympathetic and guilty. Agrippina steadily holds her gaze.

XENA (in a half-whisper):
     He was your--

AGRIPPINA (interrupts, businesslike):
     We should leave as soon as we can. Right now, our first priority is to get into Rome undetected. (to Xena) My husband suspects that you and I are traveling together, so it's best if nobody knows that you're headed to Rome. Maybe you and Gabrielle should wear a disguise.

GABRIELLE (to Xena):
     Look, if we're doing this whole mistress-slave thing again, this time I get to be the mistress, okay?

DOMITIUS (gives her a curious look):
     Mistress-slave thing?

XENA (clears her throat):
     She's--uh--talking about a disguise. (smirks) That's all.

Gabrielle looks from Domitius to Xena and blushes profusely.

CUT TO

Xena, Gabrielle, Darion, Agrippina and Domitius riding along a road with open fields on one side and a forest on the other. Agrippina is in her silvery cape while Domitius is now wearing a purple cloak. Xena and Agrippina are riding in front; Gabrielle (with Darion in the saddle) and Domitius a few paces behind.

XENA (quietly):
     Caligula was your brother.

AGRIPPINA:
     Yes, he was.

XENA:
     And knowing what I did, you still--

AGRIPPINA (firmly):
     Xena, my brother was a dangerous madman. You did what you had to do to stop him. There was no other way.

Xena glances at her and nods. While she remains stoical, the relief is evident in her face.

The camera pans back to Gabrielle, Domitius, and Darion. Darion seems to be dozing, leaning back against Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE:
     So, you like Greek literature.

DOMITIUS:
     I love it. It's not that we Romans don't have some fine writers of our own, but it seems to me that the Greek language and spirit are far more suited for expressing beautiful things than our Latin tongue. Romans are the best at conquest and commerce, but when it comes to the fine arts, it's from the Greek masters that we must seek our inspiration.

GABRIELLE (looks at him with curiosity):
      We? Are you a bard too?

DOMITIUS:
     I wouldn't be presumptuous enough to call myself a bard. But I do compose some poetry in Greek, and play the lyre. (sighs) My mother thinks these are frivolous pursuits. I confess I'd much rather be a great artist than a great emperor.

Gabrielle gives him an affectionate look.

The camera pans back to Xena and Agrippina just as a low buzz cuts through the silence. The camera zooms in on an arrow whizzing through the air. Xena's hand shoots out, catching the arrow. Another arrow flies out of the dense shrubbery by the roadside, heading straight for Agrippina.

XENA:
     Look out!

Xena tugs on Agrippina's arm. Agrippina is able to dodge the arrow but it grazes her upper arm. She clutches her arm in shock, pain and fear. Everyone stops; Xena and Gabrielle look around cautiously. Darion is now wide awake. Another arrow comes flying through the air; Xena deflects it with her sword. Agrippina's eyes are wide and she is breathing heavily. Darion clutches at Gabrielle's hand, terrified.

GABRIELLE (squeezes his shoulders):
     It's all right. Xena and I do this all the time.

Xena looks at the shrubbery, her eyes narrowing.

XENA (to Gabrielle):
     Stay here and be careful. There may be more of them.

She charges at the shrubbery, raising her sword, and gives her ululating battle cry.

DARION (fascinated, despite his fear):
     Wow...

Xena starts chopping at the shrubbery while Agrippina and Domitius look on nervously, and Darion looks thrilled and fearful at the same time. There is loud rustling in the bushes and the sound of branches being trampled. Xena flips off Argo and disappears into the bushes in pursuit of the attacker.

CUT TO

Xena running through the trees pursuing a running man.

CUT TO

The road.

DARION (tries to imitate Xena's war cry):
     Alalalala....

Agrippina looks at him with an indulgent smile.

GABRIELLE (listening intently):
     Shhhhh!

Branches are heard rustling overheard. Gabrielle looks up. Suddenly, a dark shape hurtles down from the branches. It's a man who jumps down on top of Agrippina, knocking her off her horse and taking her down on the ground with him. Her horse neighs and rears up in alarm. As Agrippina struggles with the man, two more people, a man and a woman armed with daggers, jump out of the shrubbery.

DOMITIUS:
     Mother!

He's about to jump down from his horse but Gabrielle holds out a hand to stop him.

GABRIELLE:
     I'll take care of it--you watch the boy.

DARION (scared):
     Gabrielle, don't leave me!

GABRIELLE (pats him quickly on the cheek):
     Don't you worry, I won't be long.

She hands her horse's reins to Domitius and races toward Agrippina, drawing her sais. Agrippina has just managed to wriggle free from her assailant. As the two other attackers are about to jump her, Gabrielle knocks them both down with powerful kicks to the midsection. Then she turns to the man who first attacked Agrippina and strikes him in the face with the blunt end of a sai. Blood pouring down his face, he screams and clutches at his nose. The man Gabrielle knocked down before rises to his feet and tries to jump her from behind but she downs him again with a backward kick.

The female assassin gets up, dagger still in hand, and starts circling Gabrielle. Gabrielle spins to kick her but the woman dodges the kick and herself kicks at Gabrielle, hitting her in the side. Taken by surprise, Gabrielle staggers back slightly. The two women spin, kick and spar with their daggers.

A close-up of Darion's frightened face. His fear has definitely gotten the better of his excitement and he is now whimpering a little.

CUT TO

The woods. Xena catches up with the archer who had shot at Agrippina. Dropping his bow, he draws a sword and tries to fight her off, but she quickly knocks the sword from his hand and then punches him out with her free hand.

CUT TO

The road. A stunned Agrippina stumbles toward the horses. Her arm is bleeding where she was struck by the arrow, and there is a scratch on her face as well. Her cape is torn.

DOMITIUS:
     You all right?

AGRIPPINA (recovering from shock):
     Yes--it's nothing serious. (to Darion) Don't worry, little one. Gabrielle will be fine. It's all in a day's work for her. (to Domitius) Go on, help her--I'll hold the horses.

Domitius dismounts, runs toward Gabrielle and tackles the man she hit in the face with the hilt of her sai. Meanwhile, Gabrielle knocks down the woman, and as she falls the dagger flies out of her hand. Gabrielle kicks it away.

FEMALE ASSASSIN:
     Let's get out of here!

She and the two men run off into the woods. Gabrielle stands still, panting for breath; then she sees Darion with tears on his cheeks, and runs toward him.

GABRIELLE (helps Darion off the horse and hugs him as he clings to her):
     Everything's all right, honey. (to Agrippina) Are you--

AGRIPIPNA (shakes her head):
     Just a couple of scratches--nothing to speak of. (smiles) Thank you for saving my life, Gabrielle.

There is a rustle in the bushes and they all turn simultaneously. Xena emerges, dragging the man she captured. She shoves him down on the ground.

XENA:
     All right. Let's make this simple. Who sent you to kill us? (the man remains silent) All right, we'll do it the hard way. (jabs him in the neck) I've just cut off the flow of blood to your brain. You'll be dead in thirty seconds if you don't tell me who sent you. (the man is coughing and wheezing but remains silent) Come on.

MAN (wheezing):
     I was-- (coughs) I was sent by the Emp...eror...Claudius...to kill...Agrip...pina...

A close-up of the grim look on Xena's face. She looks from Gabrielle to Agrippina as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT ONE