FADE IN

A crowded tavern. Through an open window in the background can be seen a docked ship. The camera pulls back slowly until we see Xena and Gabrielle sitting at a table across from one another. Gabrielle's hands are clenched tensely around a mug as she and Xena stare at one another a moment.

GABRIELLE:
     Domitius raiding villages! (she laughs in disbelief) Xena, that's insane!

XENA:
     It sounds to me like your boy crossed that line long ago.

GABRIELLE:
     I admit Domitius can be a little...eccentric--

XENA (snorts):
     Eccentric? Is that what you call it?

GABRIELLE:
     --but he's not a thug! And if he does act a little strangely--who can blame him, after what his own mother did to Claudius?

XENA:
      I can--especially since I need a little more than Nero's word to believe that Agrippina would kill her own husband.

GABRIELLE:
     And you expect me to believe every wild accusation she makes about Domitius? Where's her proof?

Xena lets that sink in a moment, clearly at a loss for what to say next.

XENA (blurts out):
     You've never liked Agrippina, have you? (off Gabrielle's stare, shakes her head in disbelief) I don't get it. You're defending a man who was about to send hundreds of slaves to their death.

GABRIELLE (defensively):
     You weren't there, Xena! It broke Domitius' heart to sign that order.

XENA:
     Did you ever think that maybe you're so busy patting yourself on the back for having a Roman emperor wrapped around your finger that you're not seeing Nero for what he really is?

GABRIELLE:
     Did you ever think that sometimes you just can't see the good in people?

XENA:
     Oh--you mean like Najara?

They stare at one another in open-mouthed shock a moment. Finally Xena reaches out to touch Gabrielle's arm.

XENA:
     Gabrielle, I'm sorry--

Gabrielle pulls away from Xena.

GABRIELLE:
     You've been waiting a long time to throw that up in my face.

XENA (anguished):
     No! No--I didn't mean it. I'm sorry. Look--this fighting is getting us nowhere--

GABRIELLE:
     You're wrong about Domitius, Xena--and I'm going to prove it.

XENA:
     Okay, Gabrielle. (she sighs wearily) I know you think you can trust Nero but...just be careful, okay?

Gabrielle looks at Xena a moment. The caution in Xena's tone makes her pause a moment. She smiles, though clearly her confidence in Nero is shaken a little.

GABRIELLE:
     Of course. (she reaches out and squeezes Xena's hand) You watch out for yourself too, okay?

Xena mechanically squeezes Gabrielle's hand in return.

XENA:
     I'll be okay.

She rises from the table.

CUT TO

The dock outside the tavern. It is packed with people--merchants, sailors, travelers. Xena distractedly weaves her way through the crowd. A woman wearing a hooded cloak is in Xena's path. She tries to get out of her way but isn't able to move quickly enough. Xena walks into her, knocking the woman off balance. Never breaking her stride, she turns her head slightly and offers an absentminded apology.

XENA:
     Sorry...

WOMAN (in a high pitched falsetto):
     No harm done!

Xena continues on. The woman stops and turns, her back to the camera, watching Xena disappear into the crowd. Once Xena is out of sight, she turns around and we see her face. It's Sabina. She smiles coldly.

SABINA (shakes her head):
     Xena--I'm insulted. Too busy to spare a moment for an old friend? (the camera zooms in for a close-up as she grins wryly) Or maybe you're losing your touch.

CUT TO

A montage:

* A wide overhead shot of a small sailboat crossing the waters toward Bauli.
* Gradually superimposed on this image, a close-up of Xena, her face hard and grim.
* A long shot of Xena getting off the boat at the dock at Bauli. She is seen paying the boat captain and then taking a path that leads uphill.

CUT TO

Xena walking up the path, amidst sparse trees. Agrippina's house is already visible in the distance. Suddenly Xena stops and tenses.

XENA (quietly):
     Ares.

In a flash of blue light, Ares materializes next to her.

ARES:
     Hello, Xena. (He reaches over to touch her face)

XENA (puts her hand over his; distractedly):
     Hello.

ARES:
     Busy?

XENA (softly and a little grimly):
     Yeah.

ARES:
     Want some advice?

XENA (looks at him warily):
     What?

ARES:
     Get out of this.

XENA (shocked):
     What are you talking about?

ARES:
     This whole thing between Nero and his mommy. You can't do any good here. (He pauses) Go back to Greece, Xena.

XENA (narrows her eyes at him suspiciously):
     Wait. Do you have--something going on with Nero?

ARES (exasperated):
     Maybe you've got me confused with Gabrielle. (off her hurt and angry stare, raises his hands in a gesture of surrender) Sorry. No, I don't.

XENA (still upset):
     Then why--

ARES (tries to sound gentle despite his obvious frustration):
     Because this is not going to turn out well for you.

XENA:
     So you think Agrippina's lying too?

ARES:
     I didn't say that. Has it occurred to you that maybe she's telling the truth about Nero--and he's telling the truth about her? (off Xena's shocked look) Obviously not. Well, think about it. What if they deserve each other?

XENA (belligerently):
     Do you know something?

ARES:
     No. I just don't trust either one of them. And neither should you--or Gabrielle. Let the Romans fight their own battles.

A close-up on Ares as he gives Xena a meaningful look; then a close-up of Xena who stares back at him, her face full of doubt.

XENA (shakes her head):
     Ares, I promised I'd protect Agrippina. I'm not about to go back on that. (her lips tighten and her expression becomes defensive and defiant) She's a good person. Maybe that's something you don't understand.

ARES (purses his lips and shrugs):
     Do whatever you want. Just--watch out.

He vanishes. Xena stands looking thoughtfully at the spot where he vanished, her expression softening again. Then she shakes her head and walks on.

CUT TO

A stately room in Nero's palace. Nero is half reclining on a plush, velvet covered settee. His chin is resting in his hand, a bored expression on his face. His advisor stands nervously before him.

AQUILO:
     My emperor, there is still the matter of the Elijan Petronia to be dealt with. The people are with her.

Nero rubs his forehead in agitation.

NERO:
     Elijans again. They do make a nuisance out of themselves, don't they, Aquilo?

AQUILO:
     Petronia is very popular with the people, Caesar.

NERO:
     True...and that makes her even more dangerous. Wouldn't you agree, Aquilo?

Aquilo opens his mouth to respond and Gabrielle enters.

NERO:
     Gabrielle! (he leaps out of his chair and rushes to her) You're here! I had wondered where you had gone off to.

Gabrielle pats his arm in reassurance.

GABRIELLE:
     I'm fine, Domitius--fine.

Nero takes her arm and begins to lead her out.

NERO:
     Let me escort you to breakfast. I had the kitchen keep it warm for you.

GABRIELLE:
     I should really check on Darion before I--

NERO:
     Of course! Of course! We'll check on the boy together.

They have almost made it to the door.

AQUILO (timidly):
     My emperor?

Nero turns back, his annoyance is evident.

NERO:
     Yes, Aquilo? Speak fast. You're keeping our Gabrielle from her breakfast.

AQUILO:
     The Petronia matter, my emperor. It has yet to be decided.

NERO:
     Petronia? Oh yes--the Elijan. The Elijans are pacifists, are they not, Aquilo?

AQUILO (nods):
     They are, my emperor.

NERO:
     Is there any reason to believe that Petronia is going to have a lapse of faith and raise an army against me?

AQUILO:
     I find that highly unlikely, my emperor.

NERO:
     Never let it be said that Rome is without compassion. Petronia is free. (he makes a grand gesture with his hand) I don't want her to walk out of here empty handed, Aquilo. Make sure she receives 12 bushels of grain to distribute amongst the poor.

AQUILO (bowing):
     I'll see it done, Caesar.

Aquilo marches out and Nero turns back to Gabrielle, touching her elbow.

NERO:
     Breakfast awaits.

GABRIELLE:
     Domitius, that was a good thing you just did.

NERO:
     In your honor, Gabrielle. You inspire me to greatness.

GABRIELLE:
     Oh, Domitius. I don't think--

NERO:
     History is going to remember me as Nero the Compassionate--and it will all be due to you. You're a very wise woman, Gabrielle. I think you might even be right about trying to make peace with my mother. As a gesture of good will, I've arranged for her possessions to be delivered to her on Bauli.

GABRIELLE:
     That's wonderful, Domitius.

NERO:
     Granted twenty five slaves is only a small fraction of how many she owns--but it's a gesture that I hope will help smooth the way between us.

GABRIELLE:
     Slaves? You're sending Agrippina slaves?

NERO (chuckling):
     Yes, of course. I hardly think she has much use for her jewels on that island. I was trying to be practical.

GABRIELLE (frowning in disapproval):
     Practical...

CUT TO

A room in the palace. It's dark, with only a small oil lamp burning on a table. Gabrielle is asleep in her bed; Darion is sleeping on a cot nearby. Suddenly Darion starts to toss and moan in his sleep. Gabrielle sits up, rubbing her eyes.

GABRIELLE (whispers):
     Darion?

Darion is still tossing and turning, making inarticulate sounds that clearly indicate distress.

GABRIELLE (shakes her head ruefully):
     Another nightmare...

She gets up and goes over to Darion's cot.

DARION (shouts in his sleep):
     Raise the roof!

Gabrielle stares at him in bewilderment, then takes him by the shoulder and gently shakes him.

GABRIELLE:
     Darion--Darion, wake up!

Darion flinches and opens his eyes, sitting up with a jerk. Gabrielle looks at him, obviously struck by something.

GABRIELLE (gently):
     Are you okay?

Darion nods, breathing hard. Gabrielle kneels in front of the cot, putting her hands on his shoulders.

GABRIELLE:
     Darion... "raise the roof" --what does that mean? (The boy glances at her, obviously nervous.) You said it in your sleep, Darion. What does it mean?

Darion's face scrunches up; he starts to cry. He leans forward, burying his face in Gabrielle's shoulder as she strokes his hair.

GABRIELLE (softly):
     It's all right, baby--everything will be all right.

DARION (sobbing):
     That man...that man said it!

Gabrielle stares blankly ahead.

A close-up of Gabrielle's horror-stricken face; Darion's face is still buried in her shoulder and she has her arms around him. He is not sobbing anymore and his breath is steadying.

GABRIELLE (in a hollow voice, tears in her eyes):
     So it's true...

DARION (sits up and looks at her, still sniffling a little, obviously alarmed by the look on her face):
     Gabrielle...are you all right?

GABRIELLE (nods distractedly):
     Yeah...I'm fine. (collects herself) I'm all right, Darion. Don't worry. Everything will be all right. (She strokes his hair, her gaze growing blank again.)

DARION:
     Gabrielle?

GABRIELLE (flinches and looks at him):
     Yes?

DARION:
     I don't like it here anymore...let's go away.

GABRIELLE (nods, a look of quiet determination on her face):
     Yes, Darion. You're right. We're going away.

She hugs Darion tight, staring ahead of her with a determined yet deeply hurt look on her face, as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT THREE