FADE IN

Xena rides through the streets of Rome atop Argo. Looking around, she sees scattered groups of people, talking animatedly about something. While we can't hear their words, it is clear that unrest is in the air. One man standing in the center of a circle of people can be seen gesticulating wildly. Two Roman soldiers push their way through the crowd and a shoving match ensues between the man and one of the soldiers. Xena frowns.

CUT TO

Xena arrives in Nero's council room. She looks slightly haggard and breathless.

GABRIELLE (rushing to hug her):
     Xena! Thank the heavens you're here!

XENA (returning Gabrielle's hug):
     I almost wasn't. Riots are breaking out on the streets. What's going on?

Gabrielle steps back and glances at Nero.

NERO:
     A decree that I've signed has met with some...opposition.

XENA (reluctantly):
     What kind of decree?

NERO:
     Valeria Sabina has escaped--with the help of one of my centurions, no less. Well, she may have been able to evade justice, but it won't stop the law from being carried out. If she won't pay for her crimes, every last one of her fellow slaves will pay for her.

XENA (aghast):
     Nero, I'm...begging you to reconsider. (Gabrielle glances at Xena curiously) That's not justice, it's cold vengeance. You know that.

NERO:
     It's the law, Xena. Like it or not, my allegiance to that comes before everything else: before what I myself believe is right, before compassion, before friendship... (glances at Gabrielle) ...or more. If Caesar--of all people--doesn't regard the law as sacred, how can we hope to maintain order?

XENA:
     And you think you're maintaining order on the streets now?

Nero glares angrily at Xena.

Tigellinus enters.

TIGELLINUS:
     A word, Caesar.

Nero continues to glare resentfully at Xena, then tears his gaze away.

NERO:
     Speak.

TIGELLUNIS (swallows nervously):
     A crowd has gathered around the residence of Senator Gracchus.

NERO:
     A crowd? Armed with what?

TIGELLINUS:
     Unarmed, Caesar. They've formed a human chain to protect the slaves. It sounds like the kind of stunt the Elijans would pull.

NERO (curls his lip in disdain):
     Elijans! Are they really stupid enough to think that they can keep justice from being done?

XENA:
     You call this justice? Do you really want to go down in history as "Nero, Slaughterer of Innocents"?

Nero flinches at this, thinks a moment then sighs.

NERO (to Xena and Gabrielle):
     Leave us. I need to confer with Tigellinus privately.

CUT TO

Outside Nero's office. Gabrielle stares expectantly at Xena who pivots away, pointedly not looking at Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena, you have to tell me what's going on. Since when do you beg anyone--let alone a Roman emperor--for anything?

Xena fidgets uncomfortably under Gabrielle's scrutiny.

GABRIELLE:
     Where were you the whole day? (off Xena's silence) It was you, wasn't it? You were the Roman centurion.

XENA (nods reluctantly):
     Okay--it was me.

Gabrielle stares a moment, then finally shakes her head in disbelief.

GABRIELLE:
     Why?

XENA:
     I didn't think what was happening to Sabina was right.

GABRIELLE:
     So explain to me how the execution of two hundred innocent people while the murderer goes free is right.

XENA:
     Believe me, I'm not going to let that happen.

GABRIELLE:
     I'm not sure what to believe anymore, Xena. I never would have thought you would risk the lives of all those innocent people just to help someone like Sabina. (stares intently at Xena) Or maybe that's the point. Maybe Sabina reminds you so much of what you used to be that you had to save her--whether she deserves it or not.

Xena rounds on Gabrielle angrily.

XENA:
     Maybe she reminded me of what it was like to be crucified.

GABRIELLE (looks away):
     I've...I asked Domitius if he could find some other way to-- (trails off)

XENA:
     Well, it just so happens that Sabina doesn't deserve to die at all. She killed Gracchus while trying to keep a young slave girl from being raped.

GABRIELLE (looks up skeptically):
     Sabina told you this?

XENA:
     No. The girl did.

GABRIELLE:
     How can you be so sure she was telling the truth?

XENA:
     Because I saw Sabina with this girl. She can try to hide it all she wants, but Sabina really cares about her. And if she's capable of that--she has to have some goodness inside her. Gabrielle--I've always believed that one good deed is enough to start someone on the path to redemption. Maybe I was wrong--or even stupid--to believe that Sabina could change--but...

GABRIELLE (gently):
     She deserved a chance--just like you.

Xena nods and Gabrielle reaches out to stroke her arm.

GABRIELLE:
     You're right, Xena. You were right to save her.

Agrippina enters, obviously flustered.

AGRIPPINA:
     Xena! Three of my slaves were set upon by a mob outside the palace gates. What's happening?

XENA (grimaces):
     Justice.

Agrippina shakes her head in bewilderment and murmurs softly to herself.

AGRIPPINA:
     All this over a few slaves...

The doors to Nero's office swing open and Nero comes out. Tigellinus is trailing on his heels.

NERO:
     I want the Praetorian guard called out. I want that chain broken around Gracchus' house.

Agrippina rushes to her son.

AGRIPPINA:
     Domitius! Please reconsider!

NERO (glares at Xena):
     This your new ploy? You couldn't get me to change my mind so you pit my own mother against me?

In the hopes of avoiding a confrontation, Gabrielle steps in front of Xena.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena hasn't done any such thing, Domitius.

AGRIPPINA:
     Have you seen that mob out there, son? They could turn violent at any moment.

NERO:
     All the more reason for me to send out the Praetorian guard.

AGRIPPINA:
     You won't win their hearts and minds by force, Domitius! The people are against you. You alone have the power to stop this before it gets out of control.

Nero pauses and seems to consider his mother's advice. Sensing that he is beginning to waver, Gabrielle steps forward and reaches out to touch him.

GABRIELLE:
     You don't want to do this.

Nero flinches and steps back out of her reach.

NERO:
     You're right, Gabrielle--I don't want to do this. But the law is the law. And it's my duty as emperor to uphold it. I can't allow anyone--not the public, not Xena, not you or even my mother--dictate to me. (he turns to Tigellinus and snaps angrily) What are you waiting for? I've given you your orders. Go!

TIGELLINUS (nodding breathlessly):
     I'll see it done, Caesar!

He scurries off. Without a glance at the three women, Nero storms off after Tigellinus.

AGRIPPINA (staring after Nero):
     I was sure Gabrielle was about to convince him to change his mind.

GABRIELLE:
     He's not listening to reason--or even his own conscience anymore. This is more about his stubborn pride than anything else at this point.

AGRIPPINA (frowns):
     Yes. I know my son can be rather...obstinate when he has his mind set on something.

XENA:
     Well, he doesn't know who he's messing with.

CUT TO

The street outside Senator Gracchus' house. A line of men and women dressed in white surrounds the house. They are holding hands and singing a hymn. A group of Praetorian guards stands at some distance from them, looking on glumly. A large crowd of onlookers has gathered, watching tensely and curiously to see what happens next.

A murmur runs through the crowd, and its ranks part to let through Xena and Gabrielle. Their appearance causes a stir among the Praetorians and the Elijans alike. Their chanting stops. A buzz of "Xena, Xena" can be heard.

Xena and Gabrielle approach the Elijans.

XENA:
     We're here to stand with you.

ELIIJAN MAN #1 (a little dubiously):
     It's an honor to have you with us.

Elijan WOMAN #1:
     Xena, we know you've always been a friend to the followers of Eli. But please remember--we are not here to fight. Our only weapon is love.

XENA (rolls her eyes slightly):
     I've heard that before. Love is fine, but if you want to save those people, you may need something else to back it up.

The gallop of a horse is heard. The Elijans turn, alarmed. The camera pans to Tigellinus, who rides up to the front of the house, slowing down and then stopping.

TIGELLINUS:
     By the Emperor's orders, step aside!

The Elijans link hands again; a few of them resume their chanting, and then all the others join in. Gabrielle, too, links hands with two of the Elijans and joins in the chanting; Xena stands fully alert, obviously ready to fight.

TIGELLINUS:
     For the last time, you have been ordered to disperse.

The chanting grows louder.

TIGELLINUS (turns to the Praetorians):
     Clear the way!

The Praetorians charge the crowd, grabbing the Elijans to drag them aside. Xena and Gabrielle meet the attack, without using their weapons yet; they spin, kick and punch, taking down several of the Praetorians. Xena lets out her battle cry, which stuns the Praetorians, momentarily stopping them in their track; the Elijans, taken aback, momentarily stop chanting. Xena leaps into the air, flips, and slams her boots into the chests of two Praetorians who go down crashing. Several more Praetorians draw their swords and charge at the women; Xena throws her chakram, knocking the swords out of four Praetorians' hands. They stop, stunned. Quick pan to Xena as she catches the chakram, smirking.

Pan to Gabrielle, who is using her sais to repel a Praetorian who attacks her with a sword. A second Praetorian attacks, slashing at her left shoulder and opening up a jagged gash in her arm. Gabrielle staggers and drops her sais, then rallies momentarily to kick the sword out of the first Praetorian's hand, and collapses to her knees in pain, clutching at her arm. The second Praetorian sheathes his sword and is about to drag her aside when Xena crashes into him from behind. He falls but tries to get up; she knocks him down with a punch.

XENA:
     Gabrielle! (rushes toward Gabrielle, then turns abruptly to look back at the Praetorians who are charging again)

ELIJAN MAN #2 (steps forward):
     I'll take care of her.

He helps Gabrielle to her feet and leads her aside. Xena hesitates, then turns and hurtles toward the Praetorians with a furious yell. Her sword clashes with those of two Praetorians even as she downs a third with a kick to the knee.

A few more Praetorians attack while she is still battling her two opponents. Several young Elijans, men and women, rush to repel their attack, fighting back without weapons but using kicks and punches.

ELIJAN WOMAN #1 (dismayed):
     What are you doing? We've agreed that we're not going to use violence!

WOMAN #2 (one of the women who are fighting):
     We can't let these two women risk their lives to protect us as well as the slaves! Would that really be the Way of Love?

Quick pan to Tigellinus, who watches this scene, pursing his lips in displeasure.

TIGELLINUS (raises his hand):
     Stop! (the Praetorians who are still fighting stop and turn) We'll have to bring in more troops. (to Xena) When we get back, you'll be sorry you ever came to Rome.

XENA (grimly):
     I'm already sorry.

Tigellinus turns and rides away. The Praetorians help their stunned or wounded comrades to their feet and leave.

Breathing hard, Xena sheathes her sword as she looks after them, then turns and rushes toward Gabrielle. The Elijan man who offered to help her has wrapped a piece of cloth around her arm to stanch the bleeding.

XENA:
     Are you all right?

GABRIELLE (winces):
     It's just a flesh wound.

XENA:
     Let's get you inside and take a look at that.

CUT TO

Inside the house. Xena is almost done bandaging Gabrielle's arm. The slaves mill about, watching them uneasily. The house steward approaches, carrying two goblets.

STEWARD (stammering a little):
     We--we wanted to offer you some wine.

XENA (looks up at him):
     Thanks, but I don't think we should be drinking on the job. This isn't over. Just get us some water.

The steward nods and goes off. Xena finishes putting on the bandage.

XENA:
     There--that should be all right.

Siran emerges from the crowd of slaves and approaches Xena timidly.

SIRAN:
     Xena...

Xena looks up at Siran, her face unreadable.

XENA (quietly):
     She's all right.

Gabrielle glances at Xena and then at Siran, then nods slightly.

SIRAN (whispers):
     Thank you.

There is a commotion as Elijan Woman #1 runs in.

ELIJAN WOMAN #1:
     The Emperor!

XENA (turns to her warily):
     What about him!

ELIJAN WOMAN #1 (nervously):
     He's here!

The camera zooms in on Xena, then Gabrielle as they exchange a startled look.

CUT TO

The street outside the house. Nero reclines on a litter carried by several slaves. A group of Praetorians stands behind them, with Tigellinus on horseback at their side, and the crowd of onlookers behind them. The slaves put down the litter and Nero stands up.

ELIJAN MAN #1 (awed):
     Emperor!

The Elijans bow their heads respectfully.

NERO:
     Followers of Eli! I respect your beliefs. I respect your compassion for these slaves. But you must recognize the authority of the law.

ELIJAN WOMAN #2 (raises her head defiantly):
     What good is the law if it does not recognize humanity?

NERO (turns red):
     I am not here to argue. I am here to tell you, as your Emperor, to stand aside and let the law be carried out.

ELIJAN WOMAN #1 (comes out of the house):
     Never! You'll have to kill us first.

The chanting starts again. Nero opens his mouth, about to say something, when Xena and Gabrielle come out of the house. He stops in his tracks.

XENA (calmly):
     These people have right on their side, Domitius. I have no choice.

NERO (bitterly):
     I know what you're trying to do, Xena. You're counting on me to call off the attack in deference to our friendship. (pauses, scowling) And to think that you were the two people I least expected to try to take advantage of me. (Nero looks toward Gabrielle and notices the bandage on her arm, stained with blood that has leaked through the cloth; he frowns) What's that? Gabrielle is hurt?

GABRIELLE (looks down):
     It's nothing--just a cut...

NERO (anxiously):
     Has anyone tended to your wound?

Xena is about to answer; then she pauses and gives Nero a thoughtful look.

XENA:
     I'm sure Gabrielle could use the help of a good physician. Of course, that's going to be a long time coming if she and I have a battle to fight against your Praetorians.

NERO:
     She and you--? (looks to Gabrielle in dismay) But you're hurt--surely you're not going to--

GABRIELLE (looks up at him):
     Nero, if the Praetorians attack, I will be right here, fighting at Xena's side--at these people's side-- (she makes a sweeping motion indicating the Elijans) as best I can.

The Elijans start chanting again. Nero purses his lips, angry and conflicted. Then, obviously having made a decision, he takes a step forward and raises his arm.

NERO:
     People of Rome! The Emperor has heard your plea for mercy.

The chanting stops and the Elijans collectively gasp in astonishment. As a murmur rises from the crowd, the camera pans to Tigellinus, who looks shocked and displeased, and then to Xena and Gabrielle. Xena's mouth curves in a tiny smile of triumph, while Gabrielle looks both relieved and troubled.

NERO:
     The slaves of Senator Gracchus are hereby pardoned.

The Elijans erupt in cheers and cries of "Hail, Emperor!" The camera pans to the crowd of onlookers, who start cheering as well, and then to the Praetorians, who join in the cry of "Hail, Emperor!"

TIGELLINUS (dourly):
     Hail, Emperor!

The camera zooms in on Nero, showing his face in close-up. The look on his face is upset and peevish; for a moment he almost looks like he's about to cry. Then he forces a cold smile, turns and waves to the crowd.

CUT TO

Nero's office. Nero is seated at his desk reading a scroll. The door opens and Gabrielle, with a clean bandage on her arm, comes in. As he looks up, she stops and smiles uncertainly; Nero does not return her smile.

GABRIELLE (softly):
     Xena and I are leaving... I wanted to say good-bye. (she pauses as Nero turns away) Your physician has done a wonderful job. Thank you. (Nero nods, not looking at her) And thank you for pardoning the slaves, too.

NERO (stares into the scroll):
     You didn't leave me much of a choice.

GABRIELLE (comes closer):
     Domitius...why are you so upset? You didn't want those slaves killed. Didn't you tell me, when you had to sign the order to execute them, that you wished you had never learned to write?

NERO (turns to her abruptly and speaks vehemently):
     Why can't you understand this, Gabrielle? This has nothing to do with my personal wishes. It has to do with the law--with my authority as Emperor. (bitterly) As I recall, you were very impressed by the peace and prosperity you have found in Rome. Well, this peace and prosperity rests on the foundation of the law and imperial authority. What do you think will happen once those foundations have been undermined?

Gabrielle reaches out and tries to touch his arm but he flinches away.

GABRIELLE (softly):
     You showed mercy. How can that undermine your authority?

NERO:
     I bent to the demands of a mob. (bitterly) And you and Xena--my friends--joined that mob to thwart my will.

GABRIELLE (sighs and speaks almost as if to herself):
     It was the least we could do for those people.

Nero turns and looks at her intently, his eyes suddenly flickering in understanding.

NERO:
     Wait a minute...it was you two who helped Sabina escape--wasn't it?

GABRIELLE (reddening):
      No! That isn't true.

NERO:
     Then look at me and tell me that you have no idea who that centurion was.

GABRIELLE (flustered):
     I--I-- (her voice falters and she forces herself to look at Nero) I swear I have no idea where Sabina is right now.

Nero looks at her suspiciously and shakes his head. Gabrielle looks away.

CUT TO

Xena and Gabrielle riding silently along a road. It's dusk; the walls and buildings of Rome are barely visible far behind them.

GABRIELLE:
     Aren't we going to get Sabina?

XENA (shakes her head):
     Not now. Nero probably has spies watching us.

GABRIELLE (sighs):
     So much for being friends with a Roman emperor.

XENA (pensive):
     Yeah. So much for that.

GABRIELLE:
     You think we'll ever be back in Rome?

XENA (her voice harsh):
     I know we will.

Gabrielle gives her a worried glance while Xena looks grim as we:

FADE OUT

THE END

[Domestic tranquility in Rome was harmed during the production of this motion picture.]

Xena: Warrior Princess Shipper Seasons Season 8 Episode 9 We Who Are About To Die Story By: LadyKate and Sais 2 Cool Written By: LadyKate and Sais 2 Cool Collage By: Aurora Images Gathered By: Aurora Cast Xena Lucy Lawless Gabrielle Renee O'Connor Ares Kevin Smith Nero Hans Matheson Agrippina Anjelica Huston Sabina Jennifer Garner Siran Ebonie Smith Tigellinus Matthew Pennington Original Airdate February 25, 2003 Domestic tranquility in Rome was harmed during the production of this motion picture. DEDICATED TO KEVIN SMITH All characters and storylines that have appeared in the syndicated series Xena: Warrior Princess are a copyright and trademark of Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No infringement was intended during the writing of this script. All original characters and storylines are a copyright of the respective authors and of the Shipper Seasons. No script may be reproduced on a website elsewhere without the author's consent. © Shipper Seasons www.shipperseasons.com

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