9.03 What Separates Us I


ACT TWO

FADE IN

Eve and Virgil are riding through the forest. It is getting dark, the trees casting shadows on the forest. They ride in silence, the hooves of their horses hitting the ground rhythmically and kicking up dirt is the only sound that can be heard.

Eve has a far away look on her face as she stares ahead. The forest in front of her begins to fade away and we are taken in to a:

[FLASHBACK]

A small, half-dark room in Orphelia's house. Orphelia is sitting in a chair looking out of the window. Her eyes are reddened from prolonged crying, her hair looks disheveled.

A teenage Livia, wearing a simple knee-length light brown tunic, walks into the room and stops. She looks as if she wants to say something, but doesn't.

ORPHELIA (glances at Livia and then turns away; coldly):
     So you're leaving.

LIVIA (just as cold):
     Yes.

ORPHELIA:
     You're going to Rome. (in a taunting voice) What do you think you're going to find there?

LIVIA:
     Only my destiny. You think I was meant to spend the rest of my life in this backwater?

ORPHELIA:
     Fine. Go. Do whatever you want. (looks away)

LIVIA (her voice and look suddenly softening):
     I'm sorry--about Larus. I know how much he meant to you... He loved you so much--

ORPHELIA (keeping back her emotions):
     Don't. It doesn't matter now. Larus is dead.

LIVIA (tears up a little):
     Orphelia--I loved him too... I couldn't have loved him more if he was my blood brother...

ORPHELIA:
     Are you going or not?

Livia begins to lose control as anger fills her face and tears roll down her cheeks.

LIVIA (shouting):
     I was never here. I was never a part of this house--of this family!

Livia storms out the door. The camera zooms in on Orphelia's stricken face.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

Eve rides along the path, lost in thought. Virgil rides next to her.

VIRGIL (concerned):
     What are you thinking about?

EVE (softly):
     The day I left Moesia and went to Rome... Going back there brings back a lot of memories.

They ride in silence for a while.

VIRGIL:
     Can I ask you something?

EVE (glances at him, startled out of her thoughts):
     Yeah?

VIRGIL:
     Why didn't you reply to any of my letters? (Eve looks away) You did get them, didn't you?

EVE (quietly):
     Yes. (glances at him) Virgil...I'm a queen. I haven't--had a lot of time to sit down and write letters.

VIRGIL:
     Eve, we haven't seen each other in months...

EVE (softly):
     And I could see from your letters that you were happy--that you have a good life.

Virgil

VIRGIL:
     It would have been better with you around. (quietly and tenderly) I've really missed you, Eve.

EVE (almost a whisper):
     I've missed you, too. (looks at him) I meant to write you back, Virgil, I did. But... (sighs) it's very complicated for an Amazon to get close to a man. Especially an Amazon queen.

VIRGIL (shakes his head and gives her a probing look):
     Is that the only reason?

EVE (looks down, quietly):
     No...

VIRGIL:
     Eve...I thought we had put the past behind us.

EVE:
     I'm sorry. (long pause) This is a bad time to talk to me about the past.

CUT TO

Gabrielle, Xena and Haimon are sitting at a campfire in the forest, staring into the fire.

HAIMON:
     So you've fought these--barbarians before.

GABRIELLE:
     We fought another Goth tribe--the Ostrogoths. They attacked the Amazons, just before-- (she pauses) just before we went up against Sabina at Corinth. We were able to beat them back; their leader, Euric, was killed. But it obviously hasn't dampened their appetite for conquest.

HAIMON:
     What are they like?

GABRIELLE:
     Ruthless...smart... (her voice drops a little) ...pretty scary. We lost a lot of people trying to stop them. (She picks up a stick and pokes at the fire, making sparks fly up) I can't say I'm looking forward to fighting them again.

XENA (looks up at her sharply):
     Who says we're fighting them?

GABRIELLE:
     That's what it looks like, doesn't it? Eve went there to protect Orphelia. We're going there to help Eve. If the Visigoths really are coming--

XENA (brusquely):
     Then we're getting Orphelia out of there and heading back. I'm not helping the Romans fight their battles. (looks away, her voice dropping) Not this time.

GABRIELLE:
     Even if innocent people are going to die?

XENA:
     Rome has enough legions to protect its colonists. It isn't our responsibility.

HAIMON (shocked):
     I can't believe you're saying that. If we're in a position to help, that makes it our responsibility. Just because you have--

Gabrielle puts a hand on his arm and gives him a warning look.

Gabrielle

GABRIELLE (gently):
     Xena--you have a lot of reasons to hate Rome. We both do. But you've never hated all the Romans.

XENA (vehemently):
     It's not a question of hating anyone! We've gotten involved with the Romans before, Gabrielle. Look how it's turned out.

GABRIELLE:
     Maybe this time our luck will change.

XENA:
     Do you really want to gamble our lives on that? (pauses, looking from Gabrielle to Haimon and back) All our lives.

The three of them exchange silent, troubled looks.

DISSOLVE TO

Montage shots of Eve and Virgil riding over various landscapes--forests, valleys, streams--and then of Xena, Gabrielle and Haimon riding over the same landscapes. Faded over this montage is the image of the sun moving across the sky, rising and setting, indicating the passage of time.

DISSOLVE TO

Long shot of a town in a large open valley, enclosed by grayish-white stone walls. Outside the wall, there are a few scattered farms and villas. There are vineyards to the right of the town walls, a forest on the left. Behind the town is the ocean. It looks like a very peaceful place.

Long shot of Eve and Virgil riding along a road toward the town. They turn off the main road and head toward a villa outside the town walls.

CUT TO

The garden in Orphelia's villa. It is lush and green, with flowers blooming everywhere and a ripe grape vineyard in the distance. Orphelia sits on a bench by a marble fountain, busy with her embroidery. In the background a serving girl is seen watering the flowers. Another serving girl approaches.

SERVING GIRL:
      My lady... (Orphelia looks up) You have visitors.

Orphelia smiles, with joy and obvious relief. Pan to Eve and Virgil coming up the garden path. Eve smiles warmly as she sees Orphelia.

EVE:
     Orphelia!

Orphelia rises and walks toward them. They stand still for a moment looking at each other; then Orphelia hugs Eve.

Orphelia

ORPHELIA:
     You made it. (to Virgil) So you got her my message. (indicates the bench) Please, sit down. Are you hungry?

EVE:
     Thanks--not right now.

Orphelia, Virgil and Eve sit down; the serving girl leaves.

EVE (anxiously):
     Any news of the Visigoths?

ORPHELIA:
     Only rumors. It's said they attacked a village two days' journey from here, and slaughtered everyone. (Off Eve's horrified look) No one knows for sure--but the people here are scared. The commander of the Roman troops stationed in town came to see me and said he'd sent to Rome for reinforcements. That means there's trouble.

EVE:
     Are they sending reinforcements, then?

ORPHELIA:
     They should be. But who knows how long it'll take, with everything that's been happening in Rome.

EVE (puzzled):
     Happening in Rome?

ORPHELIA:
     So you don't know... The emperor's been murdered.

VIRGIL:
     Otho? That was more than two months ago. Just like Galba before him.

ORPHELIA:
     Not Otho--his successor, Vitellius. Rome has gone through three emperors in the last few months.

EVE:
     Another assassination?

ORPHELIA:
     Not exactly. He was killed by a gladiator during the games--a ferocious warrior woman who showed no mercy in battle. She threw a dagger from the arena and killed him instantly.

Close-up on Eve; she looks shocked.

ORPHELIA (continues):
     I've heard that she also killed at least a dozen Roman soldiers in her escape.

VIRGIL (glances at Eve):
     Could it be that woman you told me about--Sabina?

EVE (shakes her head):
     I don't think so. (to Orphelia) So who's the new emperor?

ORPHELIA:
     My cousin--Flavius Vespasian.

EVE (digests this a moment):
     Your cousin is the new emperor... Is that why the local Roman commander came to see you?

ORPHELIA (shakes her head):
     That wasn't the only reason. He came because he wanted to see you.

EVE (speechless for a moment):
      Me? (after a brief pause) Why?

ORPHELIA:
     He said (awkwardly) he used to be your teacher.

Eve stares at her in helpless shock. Virgil gives her a troubled look.

EVE (whispers):
     Nymphidius?

ORPHELIA:
     That was his name.

Eve stares ahead as we:

DISSOLVE TO

[FLASHBACK]

A small arena in Rome. A teenage Livia is standing in the arena in simple, brown leather armor. Her hair is up in the same way it was in LIVIA and EVE. She is holding a sword at the ready. In front of her is a shirtless man, also with a sword. They are facing each other. Pulling back, we see a Roman in his forties wearing an outfit of a high-ranking officer. This is the Roman we saw fighting the Visigoths in the teaser, only younger.

ROMAN OFFICER:
     Begin.

Livia and the young man attack each other. There is focus in Livia's movements. Their swords clash a few times before the young man gets the upper hand. When she goes to swing at the young man's stomach, he parries her movement with his own sword and is able to side swipe her, causing her to lose balance. She tries to regain her footing but stumbles and falls.

The young man grins. Livia snarls at him.

LIVIA (looks up, determined):
     I know I can do this, Nymphidius. I know I can. Let me try again.

NYMPHIDIUS:
     All right.

LIVIA (gets up and looks at the young man):
     Ever lost before?

YOUNG MAN:
     No.

LIVIA (sneers):
     Well, there's a first time for everything.

Livia

She charges him and they battle it out. Their swords clash again. They seem evenly matched, but then the young man makes a couple of ingenious moves and succeeds in knocking the sword out of Livia's hand. Breathing hard, Livia glances at Nymphidius, then starts to back away. Nymphidius looks disappointed--but his expression changes to amazement when Livia lunges forward with a ferocious scream, leaps and flips over the young man's head, and then gives him a hard kick in the back, sending him sprawling on the ground. In a swift move, Livia picks up her sword. When the young man tries to get up, he finds her sword pointed at his throat. She smiles in triumph. Applause is heard and Livia looks at Nymphidius.

NYMPHIDIUS:
     Well done, Livia. (He comes toward her as she lowers her sword) That flip. Where did you learn it? Did someone teach you how to do that?

LIVIA (momentarily confused):
     I...don't know. It just came to me.

NYMPHIDIUS:
     Well, I hope it comes to you again.

LIVIA:
     I know it will.

Nymphidius looks pleased.

DISSOLVE TO

Montage of images, each one dissolving into the next:

* Livia training in the arena, battling different opponents--some with swords, clubs and spears--and Livia winning against all of them. Her fighting ability only improves with practice, as does the flip that she preformed on her first lesson.
* Nymphidius watches during these practices, smiling like a proud father.
* Livia is fighting in a bigger arena, now with a crowd of spectators. Cheering and clapping erupts as Livia plants her boot on the chest of a vanquished opponent, putting her sword to his throat. Smiling gleefully, Livia looks around. She sees Nymphidius in the front row, applauding her. She gives him a small smile and a nod. Then her eyes rest on Ares, who is standing on the side of one of the seating rows, watching her intently. Their eyes meet and Livia's lips are parted in a sensuous, triumphant smile.

LIVIA (in a breathy whisper):
     Ares...

DISSOLVE TO

A back room behind the arena. Livia takes off her armor and puts it down on a bench, then pours herself some water from a pitcher into a mug. She takes a drink.

NYMPHIDIUS (off-camera):
     Livia!

Livia whips around, grinning at him.

NYMPHIDIUS:
     You were great.

LIVIA (grins):
     So, you think I'm ready to go out into the field?

NYMPHIDIUS:
     You certainly are. (He puts a paternal hand on her shoulder) I wouldn't be surprised if, in a short time, I see you in command of a legion.

LIVIA (looks up at him, raptly and gleefully):
     A legion! All the legions.

NYMPHIDIUS (taken aback):
     You're...nothing if not ambitious.

LIVIA (determined):
     I know what I want, Nymphidius. And someday I'll have it.

NYMPIDIUS (half-joking):
     Well, Livia, when you have the entire empire at your fingertips, don't forget your old teacher.

LIVIA:
     I won't.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

Clearly troubled, Eve looks at Orphelia, then at Virgil.

EVE:
     Virgil--stay here and make sure Orphelia's all right. I'm going to town.

Orphelia and Virgil look at her questioningly.

CUT TO

Eve rides through the crowded shop-lined streets of Moesia.

CUT TO

A small, sparsely decorated room in the Roman military headquarters building. Nymphidius sits at a desk looking over some scrolls. There is a knock on the door and a soldier comes in.

NYMPHIDIUS (looks up):
     Marius. What news? Have you heard anything about reinforcements?

MARIUS (salutes):
     No, sir. But there's someone here you'll want to see.

Nymphidius looks past him; his face lights up with an incredulous smile.

NYMPHIDIUS:
     Livia!

Eve steps forward, smiling uncertainly.

NYMPHIDIUS (to Marius):
     Leave us.

As Marius salutes and leaves, Nymphidius rises. He and Eve stare at each other.

EVE (gently):
     Nymphidius... My name is Eve.

Nymphidius

NYMPHIDIUS:
     Oh yes, so I've heard. But to me, you're Livia--and always will be.

Close-up on Eve's troubled face.

CUT TO

A long shot of a courtyard in the Roman barracks in Moesia. The soldiers are lined up in several rows.

Eve and Nymphidius walk in front of the lines of soldiers; they salute and cheer.

Close-up of cheering soldiers. Nymphidius looks proudly and affectionately at Eve. There is a momentary gleam in her eye. Then she looks away.

CUT TO

Eve and Nymphidius walking down a hallway in the Roman headquarters building.

NYMPHIDIUS:
     Some of them served under you. They're still loyal.

EVE (uncomfortable):
      I'd rather not talk about that, Nymphidius. (after a moment's pause) So that's all the men you have.

NYMPHIDIUS:
     As you see. If my scouts' reports about the Visigoths are correct, we're outnumbered about two to one. If they attack before the reinforcements arrive...

They walk on in silence for a few moments; then Nymphidius continues.

NYMPHIDIUS:
     But now that you're here--we have a chance.

EVE (looks at him in dismay):
     Me? I'm only one woman.

NYMPHIDIUS:
      Not just any woman. You're Livia.

Eve stops abruptly and whirls around to face him.

EVE (brusquely):
      Livia is dead, Nymphidius. I'm Eve.

NYMPHIDIUS:
      Yes, I know. You're an Amazon Queen now. (sighs, disappointed) Do you really think that's a better title than "Champion of Rome"?

EVE (firmly):
     It is to me.

NYMPHIDIUS (shakes his head):
      You were formidable. Respected by our allies, feared by our enemies--the troops loved you more than any commander I can remember. And then you threw it all away. After everything you did for Rome--

EVE (interrupting):
      What did I do for Rome? Cater to her worst instincts--greed and the lust for power? Kill and plunder in her name?

NYMPHIDIUS:
      You did what you had to do as a Roman general.

Eve

EVE (shakes head):
     No, I did a lot more. You don't know about all the things I've done, Nymphidius. I went out of my way to be cruel and ruthless. It was my choice--no one forced me to be that way. But now--I've made different choices.

NYMPHIDIUS (glances at her):
      And what choice will you make now?

EVE:
      I'll do what I have to do to help you protect Moesia. (reluctantly) I'll fight by your side. But that's it.

NYMPHIDIUS:
      You can do more than that.

EVE (nervous):
      What do you mean?

NYMPHIDIUS:
      You still outrank me, Livia. And with you in command, every soldier we have in the field would be worth two or three men.

EVE (looks at him in shock):
      You want me to lead Roman troops into battle.

XENA (off-camera):
      The answer is no.

Eve turns around abruptly to see Xena and Gabrielle standing behind her. Xena looks very grim; Gabrielle looks worried as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT TWO