XENA:
     Join your family. Tell them it's a package deal. They get me, too.

She drinks Death's Tears from the vial. Ares watching with horror as she slumps in his arms and seems to die.

Ares gently puts Xena down, looks around and walks toward the burning wreckage of the wagon.

Night. A street in Rome outside the palace, lit by a couple of wall-mounted torches. Xena and Ares are facing each other; she looks the way she did at the bacchanalia in LIVIA, with her hair pulled back.

ARES:
     See, I figured out, whatever you did to cheat death, I must've slowed it up by putting you and Gabrielle on ice--but not Eve. And so for 25 years, she kept growing--into Livia--champion of Rome.

XENA (walking away from Ares):
      Keep out of my way.

ARES (disappears and reappears in front of her):
     The moment it hit me, I knew. I don't know why I didn't see it before, but I didn't, I swear.

XENA (incredulous):
     And that's supposed to make it Okay?

ARES:
     No--it's supposed to make you see that it wasn't personal.

XENA (bitterly):
     It doesn't get more personal than when you corrupt my daughter the way you did me.

ARES:
     See? That is just my point. It's not the same. Nobody's the same as you, Xena, not for me.

XENA (pleading):
     Then let me take her away. Ares, the other gods don't need to know.

There is a long pause as Ares ponders her offer.

ARES:
     All right.

Xena looks at him, almost in disbelief.

ARES:
     On one condition.

Xena's face stiffens in disappointment, as if she's been expecting this but hoping it wouldn't happen.

XENA:
     What?

ARES (after a pause):
     You have to let me help you.

XENA (her eyes narrow):
     Give me one good reason why I should.

ARES (frustrated):
     Look, Xena, you'll get a lot further with me on your side than without. You think it's going to be easy to take her away? (he sighs, getting a grip on himself) I'm just offering you my help, okay? No strings.

XENA (looks at him thoughtfully and then nods):
     No strings.

CUT TO

Livia's chamber. She is furious, throwing around vases and furniture and yelling at the top of her lungs.

Xena enters and Livia draws her sword. Xena knocks it out of her hand with the chakram.

XENA (calming):
     I didn't come here to fight. I came to talk.

LIVIA:
     About what? Ares? Well, you can have him--

She takes a dagger from her belt and throws it at Xena's face.

LIVIA:
     --If you live long enough.

Xena catches it right before it hits her.

XENA:
     It's not about Ares. I want to talk about you.

LIVIA:
     Me? You don't know the first thing about me!

XENA:
     But I do. I know your first laugh, your first tears. I know your first breath. I'm your mother. You're my daughter. Your name is Eve.

LIVIA (shaking her head):
     Well, Ares was right about one thing--you're incredible.

XENA:
     It's an incredible story--but the bottom line is, if the gods find out I'm your mother, you're in grave danger.

LIVIA:
     You're insane! Why would I believe you?

Ares appears. Livia glares at him furiously.

ARES:
     Because it's true.

Livia looks back and forth from Ares to Xena with a mix of disbelief and rage as it slowly dawns on her that they are telling the truth.

LIVIA (nodding sarcastically):
     How sweet. The woman who gave birth to me and abandoned me, and the god who had a little fun with me and dumped me for an old flame. Are we all going to kiss and make up?

XENA:
     Eve--it wasn't like that--

LIVIA (coldly):
     My name is Livia.

ARES:
     Listen, you can sort out all that mother-daughter stuff later. Xena is right. You need to get out of here.

LIVIA:
     Oh, no. You've already done a pretty good job of ruining my future; I'm not going to play along while you finish it off. I'm not going anywhere. I'll rule this empire with or without your help.

XENA:
     You won't be around long enough for that if you don't listen.

LIVIA:
     When I want your opinion, (sarcastic) Mother, I'll ask for it. In the meantime, let's see just how much of a "Roman wannabe" I really am, shall we? (she directs a nasty look at Ares before turning back to Xena) Tomorrow, in the arena. Just you and me.

She turns on her heel and imperiously walks out.

CUT TO

The arena, the next day.

AUGUSTUS:
     The first match will be fought by Livia, defender of Rome, against the champion of the followers of Eli--Xena.

There are a few brief clips of the fight between Xena and Livia. It is closely contested, but Xena eventually gains the upper hand. She puts the pinch on Livia.

XENA (pleading):
     I'm not going to kill you, Eve. You're my daughter. I love you.

LIVIA (choking):
     Then let me die.

Xena takes off the pinch. Livia coughs. People mill from the stands all around the two of them and Livia disappears into the crowd.

XENA (trying to find her again):
     Eve!

CUT TO

Early morning. Xena, Gabrielle and Virgil are riding through a field, with a forest visible in the distance. Xena is lost in thought, clearly debating something with herself.

XENA:
     Gabrielle, Virgil--ride on ahead. I'll catch up with you.

GABRIELLE (gives her a puzzled look, then suddenly understands):
     You're going to call on Ares, aren't you...

XENA (stares back at her, bitter but calm):
     We have no other choice.

Gabrielle nods. She and Virgil ride on while Xena stays behind a cluster of trees.

XENA (resignedly):
     Ares. I need to talk to you.

Ares appears.

ARES (casually):
     I was wondering when you'd finally decide you needed help.

XENA (ignoring his attempt at conversation):
     Where's my daughter, Ares? She's up to something, I know it. She wants to show us both she doesn't need us.

ARES:
     She's not too far away from here, actually. She and her company are gearing up to attack a village called Camdos on the other side of that forest. (points to the forest)

XENA:
     Camdos... (she pauses) It's an Elijan village.

ARES:
     I'm guessing this is something we want to stop.

XENA (briskly):
     Thanks. (she gives Argo II a quick nudge in the sides)

ARES:
     It would be much faster--

Xena is already galloping away at full speed.

ARES (finishes, shaking his head):
     --if you let me take you there. (rolls his eyes in exasperation)

CUT TO

The village we saw at the start of EVE. Livia and her soldiers are on a rampage, killing some villagers and capturing others, while a few soldiers are busy building crosses. Livia, on foot, spattered with blood, cuts down a man who is trying to shield a small child.

A screaming man is dragged toward a cross and laid out on it; a soldier puts a nail against his palm and raises a hammer.

The sound of Xena's chakram whizzing through the air is heard, and the hammer is knocked out of the soldier's hand. Quick pan to Xena catching the chakram.

XENA:
     All right, boys. That's enough arts and crafts for today.

Xena, Gabrielle and Virgil attack Livia's soldiers. Pan to Livia, who stands spattered with blood, her sword raised above a terrified woman. Livia turns abruptly and sees Xena, Gabrielle and Virgil.

LIVIA (scowls):
     Don't you ever go away? (to her men) Get them!

Two Romans on horseback charge at Xena; she flips in the air, lands in the saddle behind one of them and throws him off his horse, then flies up in the air, flipping as she does so, and slams her boots in the other Roman soldier, kicking him off his horse. She runs toward Livia.

XENA:
     Eve, listen to me...

LIVIA (holds out her sword, holding Xena at bay):
     I'm glad you came back. Killing you must be part of my destiny. (charges at Xena)

XENA (imploring):
     No, your destiny isn't to kill. Your destiny is to find a new way beyond the killing!

LIVIA:
     Shut up and fight me!

She attacks Xena but Xena only parries the blows instead of attacking. In the background, Gabrielle and Virgil are fighting the other Romans. Livia gives Xena a kick that sends her flying and landing hard on her back. With a fierce scream, Livia flips and lands on top of Xena, straddling her and pinning her down. She raises a dagger over Xena.

LIVIA:
     Still want to tell me you love me, Mommy?

XENA:
     Eve--listen to your heart--

LIIVA (shouts angrily):
     My heart is a traitor!

She starts to bring the dagger down. Xena manages to push her off, throwing her down. Xena and Livia both rise and face each other. There is a flash of blue light, and Ares appears next to them.

LIVIA (shoots him a nasty look):
     Well, look who's here. Are you going to tell me to look for the love in my heart, too?

ARES:
     No, I prefer a more efficient approach.

He raises his arm; blue light shoots out of his hand, hitting Livia. She collapses, unconscious.

The Romans who are fighting Gabrielle and Virgil stop and gape in terror, then mount their horses and gallop away.

Quick pan back to Xena, who stares at Ares, clearly appalled.

ARES:
     Don't worry, it's not permanent. (off her exasperated "and that makes it okay?" look) Come on, Xena, your methods weren't exactly doing wonders.

GABRIELLE (comes up to them, out of breath from the fight):
     Is she going to be okay?

XENA:
     I hope so.

An old woman--the same one who spat at Xena in EVE--approaches her.

OLD WOMAN:
     Thank you! If it weren't for you, we would all be dead--my husband, my children... (Xena smiles distractedly) That monster would have killed us all! (she spits at the unconscious Livia)

Xena's face hardens; she grabs the woman's shoulder and spins her around.

XENA:
     She's no threat to you now. Leave her alone.

Frightened, the woman scurries away. Xena kneels over Livia and gently pats the side of her face. Livia remains unconscious.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena, I think we need to get out of here.

XENA (still preoccupied with her daughter):
     Good idea. (she gets up, picking up Livia in her arms, and speaks brusquely) Let's get going.

Xena walks toward Argo, carrying Livia, with her back to Ares.

ARES (with pretend nonchalance):
     Where to?

XENA (pauses a moment and half-turns her head):
     Joxer and Meg's tavern.

ARES (calls out after her as she walks on):
     Xena! You know, you could let me take you there.

While he speaks, Xena mounts Argo and hoists Livia up in the saddle with her. She whips around and gives him a hard mistrustful stare.

ARES:
     That was the deal, right? You let me help you?

XENA (glances at the unconscious Livia; she obviously has mixed feelings about what Ares did):
     You've helped enough for today.

ARES (frustrated):
     Do you have to be so stubborn? Dammit, Xena--what are you going to do when she wakes up along the way?

GABRIELLE:
     Xena... (reluctantly) ...I think Ares is right.

ARES (smirks at Gabrielle):
     Never thought you'd live to say that, did ya?

XENA (unsmiling):
     All right. Come on.

Ares puts his hand on her leg and they disappear in a flash.

CUT TO

Outside Joxer's house. Ares, Xena (on horseback), and a still-unconscious Livia appear. Xena glares at Ares' hand, which is still resting on her leg above the rim of her boot; he quickly removes it.

XENA (looks around):
     What about Gabrielle and Virgil?

ARES (shrugs):
     They should be here in a day or so.

XENA (through clenched teeth):
     Ares! You bring them here now!

ARES (sighs theatrically):
     See what happens when you do one good deed? Suddenly, I'm supposed to be the Olympian Shuttle Service.

He vanishes in a flash. Xena shakes her head with an exasperated but indulgent smile; then she dismounts, with Livia in her arms.

Old Joxer comes out from one of the outbuildings.

JOXER (seeing Livia):
     Is she...?

XENA:
     She'll be fine, Joxer. She'll wake up in a little while.

JOXER (relieved):
     Oh, good. It would be a shame if you went to all that trouble to get her back and then had her die on you--I mean, literally die on you. (he snickers but gets no response from Xena) Hey, what happened to Gabrielle and--

XENA:
     They'll be here any minute.

JOXER (glances at Livia a little nervously):
     I got the room ready just like you said. Come on in.

XENA (nods curtly):
     Thanks, Joxer.

CUT TO

A small room in the back of the house. It is sparsely furnished, with a bed, a table with a jug of water and a glass on it, a chair, and a small window. Livia is lying on the bed, still unconscious, with her armor off, with no cloak and no weapons. Virgil is sawing a rectangular opening in the door. Xena, Gabrielle and Joxer stand by the bed, while Ares stands leaning against the wall with a studied air of nonchalance.

JOXER:
     Well, it's not much, but it'll have to do.

XENA (looks around):
     It's perfect. (she looks at the window) Wait a minute...she's thin enough to get out through that window.

JOXER:
     I guess we'll have to fatten her up real fast. (he snickers, then sighs as the joke falls flat) What do you want me to, board up the window? She won't be able to breathe.

ARES:
     Good thing your friendly neighborhood God of War is here. (he waves his arms and metal bars appear on the window.) She won't get through there anytime soon.

GABRIELLE:
     I thought that was more in Hephaestus' line of work.

ARES:
     Yeah, well (nods toward Xena), I guess she's not the only one with many skills. (theatrical sigh) This should do wonders for mother-daughter bonding.

JOXER (dead serious):
     Yeah, 'cause--you know, she won't be able to get out, so she and Xena are gonna have a chance to get to know each other a little better.

ARES (rolls his eyes, then nods, pretending to be serious):
     Um--yeah.

Livia sighs weakly and moves her head but remains unconscious.

XENA:
     Come on, we should leave her to wake up on her own.

Outside the house. Xena and Ares walk out from the main restaurant area.

ARES (glances back at the restaurant and mutters):
     Tell me again why that man is not insane.

XENA:
     Ares, it's only a restaurant. (pauses) With decorations.

ARES:
     I can only look at so many pictures of Gabrielle at a time.

XENA (joking rather uncomfortably):
     Maybe we could get him to put up a few of you, too.

ARES:
     So you could look at them whenever you miss me? (there is a long, rather abrupt pause. They stare awkwardly at each other. Then Ares speaks again, trying to appear casual) Of course, if you ever do...all you need is to call.

XENA (deliberately changes the subject):
     Ares...thank you for keeping your promise. I don't think we could have gotten her here without you.

ARES (speaking before he thinks):
     Good thing one of us can keep a deal.

Xena's face instantly hardens and she steps back.

XENA (coldly):
     Anyway, I wanted to thank you.

She turns to leave, but Ares pulls her back.

ARES (furiously back-pedaling):
     I didn't mean that, okay? (Xena snorts and looks away) Look--I don't blame you for not going through with that deal in Amphipolis. I should have offered you my help with no strings attached. (Xena turns and looks at him. Ares moves a little closer to her, speaking gently) It's much better this way, isn't it?

XENA (mellowing):
     I'll let you know when this is over.

They move a little closer to each other.

ARES (softly):
     Deal?

XENA:
     Deal.

They seem to be about to kiss when Gabrielle comes running out of the house.

GABRIELLE (worried-looking):
     Xena! You need to come in here!

Ares rolls his eyes in exasperation.

XENA (moving quickly away from Ares):
     What's wrong?

GABRIELLE:
     Eve's awake.

Xena looks back at Ares, who pushes her to go.

ARES:
     If you need any help...

XENA (her mouth curves into a small, regretful smile):
     Yeah.

She and Gabrielle leave. Ares watches them and frowns before disappearing.

CUT TO

Outside Livia's room. She is banging loudly on the door.

LIVIA (her voice slightly muffled):
     Let me out of here! I swear, you are going to regret this!

GABRIELLE:
     She woke up a few minutes ago and it's been like this ever since. We didn't want to try to calm her down without you.

XENA (hands Gabrielle the key):
     I'm going in there. Lock the door after me. I'll tell you when I want to come out.

GABRIELLE (nods and unlocks the door):
     Good luck.

As the lock turns, the pounding stops. Xena pushes the door and walks in.

CUT TO

Inside Livia's room. Xena comes in, quickly closing the door behind her. The key is heard turning in the lock.

Livia, who has taken a few steps back, runs at Xena with a piercing yell and slams into her, the sheer momentum of her body knocking them both to the ground. Gabrielle's face appears in the slot in the door.

LIVIA (looks up and yells):
     If you don't open this door right now, you can forget about ever seeing my dear mother again.

They roll around on the floor for a short time, before Xena manages to pin Livia's hands above her head and straddle her. Livia is still struggling.

XENA:
     Eve, stop this. We don't want to hurt you.

LIVIA:
     Then let me hurt you and we'll both be happy.

XENA:
     Please don't do this to yourself. You have a family, a mother that loves you.

LIVIA:
     Rome is my mother. You're nothing to me.

XENA:
     Please, Eve...think about it.

She releases Livia and gets up. Livia rises and tries to charge her again; this time, Xena stays alert and instantly pushes her away to the far side of the room.

XENA (in a harsh, businesslike voice):
     Gabrielle, open the door!

The door opens just wide enough for Xena to slip through and Gabrielle locks it again.

CUT TO

Outside the room. Xena and Gabrielle stand looking sadly at the door. Joxer and Virgil stand behind them.

Livia's face appears in the slot.

LIVIA (sarcastic):
     What do you intend to do, keep me in here until I see the light?

XENA (calmly):
     If that's what it takes.

LIVIA (sneers):
     You'll be waiting a long time for that.

XENA:
     Doesn't matter. I'm not going to let you kill any more innocent people.

LIVIA (makes a face):
     How about if I kill a few who really deserve it, then?

Her face disappears, and the pounding starts again.

LIVIA (off-screen):
     Let me out!

Xena sighs and shakes her head.

JOXER:
     You know, maybe we need to get her some handcuffs.

XENA:
     Only if you volunteer to put them on her.

GABRIELLE:
     Joxer...thank you. (smiles affectionately at Joxer) Sorry about all the trouble.

JOXER:
     Ah, what are friends for. Just because I feel like I'm, um, giving room and board to a Fury...

VIRGIL:
     Good thing we got Mom to go off to Athens to visit her relatives with Kara and Theon... (gestures toward the door) So are we just going to keep her in there until she gives up?

XENA:
     That's the idea...assuming she does give up.

CUT TO

The hallway outside Livia's room sometime later. It is now quiet. Gabrielle comes up to the door bearing a plate of food and a few scrolls. She stops and listens for signs of life.

GABRIELLE:
     Eve? Are you still in there?

Livia's face appears in the slot.

LIVIA (sounding very Callisto-like):
     Did you think I'd find a way to escape? I'm flattered. But sadly (pouts fretfully), I'm still here.

GABRIELLE (holds up the plate):
     I brought you some food. Are you hungry?

LIVIA (snapping):
     No.

GABRIELLE (making an effort to keep her voice even):
     Well, it's just some bread and cheese, so it will keep until you are. Here. (she holds up the plate to the slot. Livia doesn't move.) Look, if you plan on breaking out of here, your chances are a lot better if you aren't half-starved.

LIVIA:
     So why are you feeding me, then?

GABRIELLE:
     Because we don't want you to starve either. We want you to be our Eve again.

Livia's only response is a pitying eyebrow-raise.

GABRIELLE:
     I, uh, brought you something to read too.

LIVIA:
     Let me guess. "How to hold a heart-to-heart conversation with someone you can't wait to kill."

GABRIELLE (sighs):
     It's some scrolls about your mother. And about you--when you were a baby.

LIVIA (suddenly curious though still authoritative):
     Let me see.

Gabrielle smiles and pushes a scroll through to Livia. She peers through the slot as Livia unrolls it and begins to read. It is now evening; the small, barred window is dark, and the room is lit by an oil lamp on the table.

LIVIA (reading):
     "I sing the song of two mighty heroes, the Son of Zeus and the Warrior Princess, and how they defied Zeus himself and helped set in motion the Twilight of the Gods." (she looks at Gabrielle with a rather timid smile on her face and beckons her closer.) Did my mother really do that?

GABRIELLE (leans in even further, pleased):
     I wouldn't have written it if it weren't true.

Livia suddenly slams the metal end of the scroll into Gabrielle's face. Gabrielle shrinks back, crying out in pain and shock.

LIVIA (smirks at her):
     Well, I hope you're not going to mince words when you go running to my precious mother to tell her how I bruised your pretty little face.

GABRIELLE (trying not to show her anger and pain):
     Eve, just listen to me. We're all on the same side here.

LIVIA:
     Are we, now? Funny (she pouts), I thought I was the one behind the locked door and the barred window.

GABRIELLE:
     Eve, this is--

LIVIA (grins):
     ...for my own good? (yawns conspicuously) If you say so, Auntie Gabrielle. I think I'd like that food after all.

Gabrielle hands her the plate, and watches as Livia walks to the table and sits down. Then she pushes the rest of the scrolls through the slot.

CUT TO

Some time later, in Livia's room. She goes to pour herself some water (the now-empty plate is on the table with the jug). Then she looks at the pile of scrolls on the floor and picks one up. She takes it over to the table, sits down and unfurls the scroll.