FADE IN

On the same scene--Sabina holding a dagger to Gabrielle's throat.

SABINA (with a chilly smile):
     We've got to stop meeting like this.

GABRIELLE (sighs in exasperation):
     What do you want?

SABINA (chuckles):
     How much time have you got? For the moment, I just want to talk. In private. (she glances at an arched entryway to a building) This way, if you don't mind. Or even if you do.

She backs up, pulling Gabrielle with her.

CUT TO

The passage under the arch. It's dark. Sabina, still holding the dagger on Gabrielle, stops by the wall.

GABRIELLE (sighs):
     Sabina...we can have a much better conversation if you're not holding a dagger to my throat.

SABINA (grins):
     Better for whom? I'm really not interested in one of your sensitive chats, Gabrielle. All I need is some information.

GABRIELLE:
     About what? What are you doing in Rome, anyway? You're under a death sentence--are you suicidal?

SABINA:
     Your concern is most touching...but I don't plan on getting caught. Anyway-- (she pushes the tip of the dagger up against Gabrielle's throat) I ask the questions, you answer. Deal?

GABRIELLE:
     Why don't you move that dagger--or I could move it for you.

SABINA:
     And I could kill you.

GABRIELLE:
     But then you'd never get your questions answered, would you?

Sabina thinks a moment and lowers the dagger, releasing Gabrielle. Gabrielle turns around.

SABINA:
     Rumor has it, you were taken to prison with a bunch of Elijans.

GABRIELLE (increasingly irritated):
     So what if I was?

SABINA:
     One of the people they rounded up happens to be-- (she stumbles momentarily) --a friend of mine.

GABRIELLE:
     Siran? I saw her in prison.

SABINA (her voice a little hushed):
     How--how is she?

Gabrielle pauses, pondering her response, then shakes her head sadly.

GABRIELLE:
     Sabina--it's not good. Nero is going to have them thrown to the lions in the arena.

A close-up on Sabina's face; she remains outwardly impassive but her jaw tightens a little. After a moment she squeezes out a cold smile.

SABINA:
     Of course, our dear Xena is not going to let that happen.

Gabrielle looks at Sabina for a moment, obviously pondering whether to tell her, and then finally makes up her mind.

GABRIELLE:
     Sabina... Xena is-- (she swallows) Xena is--not in business anymore.

SABINA (can't quite suppress a gasp):
     You mean--she's dead?

GABRIELLE:
     No, she's--retired.

SABINA:
     Oh, come on. Xena? If she ever tried to retire, she'd change her mind the moment some villager's goat got stuck in a tree. You're telling me she won't come back for this? You have to go and--

GABRIELLE (shakes her head):
     I can't take that risk, Sabina...I don't have any time to waste. I have to get them out myself.

SABINA (laughs):
     You? You're the Elijans' only hope? Then they really are doomed.

Gabrielle eyes Sabina for a moment, pondering something. Then she speaks with an obvious effort.

GABRIELLE:
     You could help me. (off Sabina's scornful look) To help your friend. (pauses) Siran asked about you, you know.

SABINA (not quite able to disguise her emotion):
     She did?

GABRIELLE:
     And I told her you'd come back for her, as soon as you had a chance. You wouldn't want to make a liar out of me, would you?

Sabina stares back at her thoughtfully.

CUT TO

Gabrielle and Sabina walk down the street. It's nearly dark and there are few people out.

SABINA:
     I must be going soft in the head--agreeing to work with you.

GABRIELLE (coldly):
     I'm not enjoying this any more than you are. Let's just focus on the job at hand. There's got to be a way to get inside that prison.

SABINA:
     Well, the easiest way is getting arrested--but you already tried that one. (She smirks at Gabrielle and points to her Vestal Virgin outfit) Here's our ticket in. Vestal Virgins are allowed to minister to the condemned.

GABRIELLE (eyes her admiringly):
     Good plan. (thinks a moment) What about me?

SABINA:
     A Vestal Virgin? I bet a goody-two-shoes like you is qualified for the job. Maybe even overqualified. (Gabrielle purses her lips in exasperation; Sabina gives a mock sigh.) Too bad you can't just walk into a dress shop and get a Vestal Virgin's outfit. (smirks at Gabrielle) But you can always go as my slave.

GABRIELLE (through clenched teeth):
     You're loving this, aren't you?

SABINA (eyes her mockingly):
     Poor little Gabrielle. Don't you wish Xena were here? (off Gabrielle's glare) Believe it or not--so do I.

CUT TO

Night. Xena's cabin. Xena stands by the window looking out at the moon.

AGRIPPINA (off-camera):
     I wonder what Gabrielle is doing right now.

XENA (sighs):
     Won't you ever quit?

AGRIPPINA:
     The way you did? (she comes up to stand next to Xena)

XENA:
     Whatever Gabrielle is doing, she doesn't need my help... (bitterly) I don't want her to have to bail me out.

AGRIPPINA:
     Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Do you really think you haven't got it anymore? Come on, Xena. You're a better warrior now than you were ten years ago.

XENA (chuckles bitterly):
     Better?

AGRIPPINA:
     You don't let yourself be blinded by anger. You know when to solve a problem without violence--when to walk away from a fight.

XENA:
     I also know when to quit. Too bad I didn't know it sooner--when I didn't walk away from a power struggle between two crazy Romans.

AGRIPPINA:
     Do you know why you didn't walk away, Xena?

XENA (sarcastically):
     Enlighten me.

AGRIPPINA:
     A part of you desperately wanted to believe that there was something good in Rome--that the power of the empire could be put to the service of the Greater Good. You thought you could help make that happen.

XENA:
     And that's supposed to make me feel better? (shakes her head bitterly) I let my guard down and forgot the most important lesson I ever learned.

AGRIPPINA:
     And what lesson is that, Warrior Princess?

XENA (growling):
     Never trust a Roman.

AGRIPPINA:
     You wanted to see the best in people--even Romans. That's a lesson you learned from Gabrielle. And that makes you wrong?

Xena stares at her, obviously struck by this thought and not knowing what to reply.

The familiar "whoosh" is heard behind her back, and there is a flash of blue light. Xena turns to see Ares standing behind her.

XENA (sighs):
     Ares.

Ares reaches out to touch her cheek. She puts her hand over his and closes her eyes for a moment.

ARES (lowers his hand and nods toward the sword and the chakram lying on the bed):
     You kept your toys. That's a good sign.

XENA:
     Still hoping I'll come back?

ARES (reaches out to stroke her cheek):
     I know you will. The only question is, how long will it take.

XENA (bitterly):
     You want me back in business? Why? So you can watch me fail again?

ARES (with sudden brusqueness):
     Will you stop feeling sorry for yourself? (his face softens when he sees her hurt look, and he puts his hands on her shoulders) Listen to me, Xena. You're a better warrior now than you used to be. You know when to fight and when not to fight.

A close-up on Xena's face; she flinches slightly and gives Ares a strange look.

XENA (pensively, as if talking to herself):
     A better warrior...

ARES (grins slightly):
     Never thought you'd hear me say that, did you? (with mock horror) I'm starting to sound like Gabrielle.

XENA:
     Gabrielle...is she all right?

ARES (shrugs):
     Who knows? Keeping an eye on your sidekick isn't my job.

CUT TO

The prison, dimly lit by a couple of torches mounted into the wall. In the cell, some of the Elijans are asleep while others seem to be meditating. The same guard we saw before is sitting on a stool dozing off, snoring. Another guard comes up, followed by Sabina in her Vestal Virgin disguise and Gabrielle in a grey cloak that covers up her leathers.

GUARD No. 2:
     Hey, wake up.

GUARD No. 1 (stirs and sits up):
     Huh? (he rubs his eyes)

GUARD No. 2:
     The lady's here to comfort the condemned.

GUARD No. 1 (grumbles):
     All right, all right. (He gets up, takes the keys off the hook on the wall and opens the door to the cell.) Get up, you! You've got a visitor.

The Elijans stir and mutter.

ELIJAN WOMAN:
     It's one of the Vestal Virgins!

Petronia rises and walks toward the bars of the cell and sees Sabina.

PETRONIA (with quiet dignity):
     I thank you for your mercy, dear lady. But we do not follow the old gods.

FELIX (belligerently):
     There's nothing you can do for us.

SABINA:
     You'd be surprised.

Quick pan to Siran, whose eyes widen as she recognizes Sabina's voice.

With a swift motion, Sabina knocks out Guard No. 1. Gabrielle throws off her cloak; there are gasps among the Elijans. Guard No. 2 stares in shock, then tries to draw his sword but Gabrielle kicks it out of his hand and then punches him hard so that he staggers backwards and falls.

FELIX:
     Gabrielle!

GABRIELLE:
     We're getting you out of here. Come on!

The Elijans come out of the cell.

PETRONIA:
     Gabrielle--you know how we feel about violence--

Sabina rolls her eyes.

GABRIELLE (impatient):
     Can we talk about this later?

Siran comes out of the cell and rushes toward Sabina.

SIRAN (joyfully):
     Leonia! (hugs Sabina, then lifts her head) I mean--Sabina--

Sabina hugs her awkwardly, obviously uncomfortable and trying not to show emotion.

SABINA (pats Siran's hair, businesslike):
     Come on, Siran. No time to get all blubbery--

They break the embrace. Sabina looks around, picks up the sword dropped by Guard No. 2 and raises it over the unconscious guard. Siran grabs her arm.

SIRAN (horrified):
     No!

SABINA (gives her an exasperated look):
     We have to make sure they can't follow us!

GABRIELLE:
     We get out of here right away, before they recover. Right now! All we need to do is get the guards at the entrance to unlock the doors. (She picks up her cloak and turns to the Elijans) You stay behind so they don't see you until we've--taken care of them. (A close-up of her face, full of grim determination.)

CUT TO

The entrance area of the prison. Sabina and Gabrielle approach in disguise. Three guards are seated by the door, rolling dice on the top of a barrel. Hearing footsteps, they look up.

GUARD No. 3 (somewhat surprised):
     That was quick.

SABINA:
     The infidels turned me away.

GUARD No. 4 (shakes his head):
     Them Eli people--they got no respect for anything.

GUARD No. 3 (gets up):
     I'll let you out.

He takes a bunch of keys off his belt and unlocks the front door. Sabina surreptitiously pulls out the sword concealed in the folds of her gown and aims to slam the hilt into the guard's head. Just then, a cry is heard from inside the prison--it's the voice of one of the guards.

GUARD No. 1 (off-camera):
     Watch out!

Guard No. 3 turns and sees the sword in Sabina's hand.

GUARD No. 3 (shocked):
     You! You're not--

Before he can go on, Sabina brings the sword down on his head, knocking him out, but the other two guards leap to their feet. Gabrielle throws off her cloak and battles them, using her sais to fend off their swords. Meanwhile, Sabina motions to Siran, who peers out cautiously from behind a corner. Siran and the other Elijans come forward.

GUARD No. 4 (yells):
     Help! Treason!

Gabrielle brings him down with a powerful kick and battles the other guard as the Elijans run toward the exit. A side door opens and several soldiers run out of the guard room, swords at the ready.

Pan to Gabrielle battling the guard; she parries his blows with her sais, then spins around and downs him with a kick.

Pan to Sabina, who kills one of the other guards, running him through with her sword.

Pan to the Elijans, who gasp and murmur; Petronia shakes her head in disapproval. A close-up of Siran's dismayed face.

Pan to the guard Gabrielle was fighting; he tries to get up, she picks up a stool and crashes it down on his head, knocking him out.

Pan to Sabina fighting another guard. More soldiers come out of the guard room. Sabina kills another one of them and starts to fight another, but when she tries to kick her movements are hampered by the dress. She retreats, knocks down the barrel and pushes it toward the guards. It takes them by surprise, and several of them stumble and fall.

Pan to Gabrielle, who rushes to the door--which is unlocked, the keys still in the keyhole--and pushes it hard. The door opens with a screech. Two of the soldiers charge Gabrielle and she fights back, kicking and punching.

Pan to the Elijans, who stand watching the fight with obviously mixed emotions.

Sabina stops for a moment to survey the situation, then leaps toward the Elijans, grabs Siran and pulls her toward the door.

SIRAN:
     What are you doing?

SABINA:
     What do you think? Getting you out. Come on--the others will follow!

Sabina and Siran run out through the door. Gabrielle glances at them as they leave; she is obviously troubled but continues to fight the guards. One of the guards tries to close the door; Gabrielle punches him and then brings him down with a swift kick. She stands in the doorway fighting off the guards.

GABRIELLE (yells to the Elijans):
     Come on--the way's still open!

FELIX (to the Elijans):
     What are we waiting for? Let's go!

The Elijans rush toward the door. One of the Roman soldiers, an officer judging from his commanding look and ornate armor, points toward them and yells.

OFFICER:
     Don't let them get out, or we'll be food for the lions in their place!

Several soldiers rush to push the Elijans back. Pan to Gabrielle, who continues to fight.

Pan to Felix, who forcefully pushes back a Roman soldier who grabs him. The soldier falls and drops his sword, which falls to the floor with a clatter. Felix stares at it and then moves to pick it up.

PETRONIA:
     Felix--no! Remember, our only weapon is--

FELIX (bitterly):
     --love. Well, maybe we should just let ourselves be fed to the lions out of love for the poor famished animals.

Pan to Gabrielle, who is still fighting two soldiers. She looks over to see the Elijans being herded back down the corridor.

GABRIELLE (shouts):
     Felix, Petronia--no! Don't just stand there! Get out!

Her lips tighten in a grim look of hopelessness as she sees the Elijans being pushed back. She hesitates a moment, then turns, knocking down one of the soldiers with a spin move as she does so, and runs out the door.

CUT TO

Gabrielle running through the deserted forum, in the middle of the night.

CUT TO

Sabina and Siran huddled behind the corner of a building.

SABINA:
     I'm telling you--we have to go now!

SIRAN (shakes her head):
     Not without Gabrielle and the others.

SABINA (exasperated):
     Siran--

SIRAN (suddenly excited):
     Look--Gabrielle! (crestfallen) She's alone...

Gabrielle comes up, out of breath; she has a light but bleeding cut on her shoulder.

SIRAN:
     Where are--

GABRIELLE (shakes her head sadly):
     They couldn't get out. (bitterly to Sabina) Thanks for the backup.

SABINA:
     Don't tell me you expected loyalty from me.

GABRIELLE:
     Maybe just a little decency.

They glare at each other. In the meantime, Siran suddenly turns and takes off running.

SABINA (dashes after her):
     Where are you going?

SIRAN (glances back over her shoulder):
     I'm sorry...I have to go back.

SABINA:
     Siran--no!

She runs off after Siran. Left alone, Gabrielle leans against the wall, her arms folded on her chest, and sighs sadly.

There is a flash of light next to her. Ares appears. He eyes her calmly, arms folded on his chest.

ARES:
     That didn't go too well, did it.

GABRIELLE (bitterly):
     Here to gloat?

ARES (shrugs):
     No, just to check up on you.

GABRIELLE:
     I know what you're going to say. I'm not Xena.

ARES:
     You don't need me to tell you that.

GABRIELLE (fiercely):
     Well, I don't care. I'll do whatever it takes to save them. I'll go out into the arena and fight for them... (she pauses) ...the way Xena did once.

Close-up of her determined face; then pan to a close-up of Ares' face as he looks at her thoughtfully.

CUT TO

Outside Xena's cabin. Xena is walking toward the cabin with a bunch of firewood in her arms. She pushes the door open and walks in.

FEMALE VOICE (off-camera):
     Hello, Xena.

Xena freezes in her tracks. The camera pans to show Sabina sitting on the edge of Xena's cot, in the same posture as Agrippina at the end of the teaser.

Close-up on Xena's shocked face as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT THREE