ACT 1

FADE IN:

EXT. VILLAGE. DAY. RESUME.

Gabrielle's quiet compassion has managed to get the man back on his feet and calmed somewhat. A calm that is almost immediately undone when Xena approaches again and begins a terse questioning.

XENA
Did you start this fire?

The man wrings his hands and looks pleadingly at them both, particularly Gabrielle, in whom he senses a potential ally, of sorts.

MAN
It was the only way. The only thing
I could do. To help. Don't you
understand? It was the only way!

GABRIELLE
(over Xena)
We'd like to understand, and we'd
like to help. Can you please just
tell us what happened here?

The man looks down at what remains of his boots.

MAN
I was a merchant. Traveled all
around Greece, selling things.

GABRIELLE
Go on.

MAN
A month ago, maybe less, I was
in a town just north of here, doing
business, when a woman came
in begging for help.

He laughs, but it's a bitter sound.

MAN
(cont'd)
I thought...we all thought she was just
a sick old woman, you know? The
kind everyone ignores. But I couldn't
ignore her. None of us could. She
was...screaming...gods she was
screaming and she wouldn't shut up.
And she said that there was a...sickness
killing everyone it touched, and
that it was gonna kill us too.

He laughs again.

MAN
(cont'd)
She said it was the curse of the
gods. None of us believed her.
Not then. But I do now.

Seeing Xena's patience is about strained to its limit, Gabrielle gently prods the man along.

GABRIELLE
How did this lead to the fire?

MAN
Another...another man came in. A
big man...covered with these huge,
festering sores all over his face.
He was screaming for help and---

XENA
Describe these sores.
What did they look like?

The man looks questioningly at Xena.

MAN
Like sores. Open ones, weeping
yellow fluid. They stank to
Mount Olympus.

Gabrielle can feel Xena stiffen behind her, and turns her head to look at her partner.

XENA
His eyes and tongue. Were
they red and oozing?

MAN
Yes, they were. On the
man and the woman.

GABRIELLE
Xena? What is it?

XENA
Plague. He's describing
symptoms of the plague.

Gabrielle pales as the realization sinks in.

GABRIELLE
By the gods.

XENA
(to MAN)
So you burned the village
to stop it from spreading.

MAN
It's already spread, far beyond
here. I did this to honor my kinsmen.
It was the only way. I couldn't think of
anything else to do. You have
to believe me!

XENA
(to Gabrielle)
There are herbs that can cure this.

MAN
No, not any more. They're all
gone. I searched everywhere for
even one bundle. There was nothing.

XENA
(to Gabrielle)
I know where we can get more.

It's then that Xena notices that Gabrielle has wandered off. She turns to see her partner standing several yards away, looking to the west, a pensive expression on her face.

XENA
(to MAN)
Stay here.

She strides over to her partner and stops, following Gabrielle's westward gaze.

GABRIELLE
(softly)
The Amazons. Xena, they're not more
than two days away from here. They
could already be sick. Or dying.

XENA
(doubtfully)
They're pretty isolated, Gabrielle.
And they don't allow strangers to
just drop by unannounced.

GABRIELLE
(slightly exasperated)
They *are* known to leave the village
sometimes, Xena. Any number of them
could have passed through here on
their way back from a trip into town.

XENA
(gently)
We don't know that any did.

GABRIELLE
We don't know that
any didn't, either.

Xena is quiet for a moment, then deliberately voices Gabrielle's thoughts.

XENA
We could go there.
Check up on them.

GABRIELLE
And if they're already sick?

XENA
The herbs are the only
cure I know of, Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE
Do you think the
Amazons have any?

XENA
I don't know. It's
doubtful, though.

GABRIELLE
But you *do* know where
to get more of them, right?

XENA
Yes, but it's several days
 travel. In the opposite direction.

Letting out a soft sigh, Gabrielle turns back toward the man who is watching his entire life burn before his eyes.

GABRIELLE
(softly, to self)
This... this affects more
than just the Amazons.

She turns back to Xena, expression resolute.

GABRIELLE
Xena, we need to
help these people.

(beat)

And just trust that the
Amazons are all right.

(beat)

I just wish we could
warn them somehow.

XENA
(thoughtfully)
There may be a way.
C'mon.

The two companions return to the man who continues to watch his village burn.

GABRIELLE
Xena knows where we can
get more herbs. Why don't
you come with us?

MAN
It's too late for me.

Lifting his shirt, he bares the red rash spreading rapidly over his chest and belly. Looking at them both, he gives a brief nod, then starts into the village.

Gabrielle grabs hold of his shirt, halting his progress.

GABRIELLE
Wait! Where are you going?

MAN
Home. I'm going home.

GABRIELLE
But...

A warm hand on her shoulder halts her words. Turning her head, she looks at Xena, whose eyes are filled with compassion. Their communication is wordless, and after a moment, Gabrielle sighs and lowers her head. She releases the man from her grip.

The man smiles at them both gratefully.

MAN
Bless you.
Bless you both.

Xena and Gabrielle watch in silent tribute as the man walks slowly into the flaming village and disappears into the burning remains of what once was his home.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. SHALLOW STREAM. DAY.

Xena and Gabrielle, having ridden from the village, stop by a small, shallow stream somewhat off the main trail. It's a beautiful spot, one that Gabrielle would fall in love with, in other circumstances. These, however, aren't those circumstances, and she stands by, bewildered, as Xena dismounts and gently slaps Argo in the direction of the water.

XENA
Take your clothes off.

GABRIELLE
(shocked)
Excuse me?

XENA
You heard me.

GABRIELLE
I heard you. I'm just not
sure I understood you.

Xena begins to unbuckle her own armor.

XENA
C'mon, Gabrielle.
Please.

Gabrielle looks around, then back at her partner.

GABRIELLE
Xena? The mission?

Sliding her leathers off of her body, Xena rolls her eyes.

XENA
Could you just do
as I ask? Please?

GABRIELLE
Xena, it's not as if I'm
not interested in the
possibilities here, but---

(beat)

Can you at least tell me
why now? Why...here?

XENA
Because I'm asking you to.

(beat, off Gabrielle's
indignant stare)

The plague is spread through
physical contact. We need to
wash ourselves off completely
to keep from becoming infected.

Gabrielle immediately begins stripping. She drops her skirt and straightens just in time to catch a bundle, containing cloths and soap, hurtled by Xena as her partner passes by on her way to the water.

GABRIELLE
*Now* she tells me! Gods!

CUT TO:

EXT. PORT TOWN. EVENING.

Xena and Gabrielle have ridden hard through the day and have arrived at a once thriving port town. The spread of the plague has decimated it. People lay dead and dying in the streets, and the stench is horrific. Few ships are in the harbor, and most of those are foundering in their moorings.

Only one seems to have any activity aboard, and it is to this one that Xena heads.

The ship, if it can properly be called such, is in the center of a panic maelstrom. Full of noisy livestock, its stench floats above even the death smell of the town below it. Men and women, desperate to escape the plague, run for the gangplank, only to be beaten back by the crew with ropes, stout wooden poles, and lengths of chain. Screams of pain and the high pitched sounds of begging can be easily heard.

Xena weaves Argo through the crowd of dead and dying and stops the horse with her forelegs on the gangplank of the beleaguered ship.

XENA
Where are you headed?

CAPTAIN
None of your business, woman!

XENA
I'm making it my business.

(beat)

You'll be taking on a
few more passengers.

CAPTAIN
Like Hades I will. The only
human cargo here is my crew,
and it's gonna stay that way.
Now get that beast off my
gangplank or I'll run the
both of you through.

Shouting her battle cry, Xena flips off of Argo's back and lands in front of the angered Captain, her own sword dimpling the skin of his throat.

XENA
Think so, huh?

(beat)

Now, are you gonna be a good
boy and let us on or am I gonna
have to take over this ship and
leave you to the mercy of the
plague and those people
you've been beating?

The Captain swallows heavily against the sword at his throat, and finally nods.

CAPTAIN
W---welcome aboard.

XENA
Smart move.

Sheathing her sword, Xena grabs Argo's reins and leads her onto the ship, Gabrielle still aboard.
The captain looks on and slowly regains some of his bravado.

CAPTAIN
Store that beast below.
I don't want it fouling up my deck.

Dismounting, Gabrielle glances at the filthy deck planks, then over to the Captain, who bares what few teeth he has at her.

Smirking, Gabrielle turns and picks her way carefully over the waste-fouled deck, following Xena and Argo into the hold.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. SHIP'S CABIN. NIGHT.

The cabin is tiny; little more than a closet with a threadbare hammock swinging in the center. 

Gabrielle is lying in the hammock, looking rather the worse for wear from a combination of the stench and the rolling seas.

Xena approaches the hammock with a tin cup filled with herbs and water.

GABRIELLE
Oh, no. Last time I drank one
of your potions, I got knocked
out and you got yourself sold
into a harem. I'll take my chances
with the seasickness, thanks.

Xena grins and gently strokes Gabrielle's sweaty bangs from her forehead.

XENA
There aren't any
harems around here.

GABRIELLE
(wan smile)
Knowing you, you'll find one.
The only traveling harem ship
on the seas, and off you'll go.

XENA
I'll be right here when
you wake up. Promise.

Gabrielle makes a great show of examining Xena's face for clues to her sincerity, then nods.

GABRIELLE
Well, all right, as long
as you promise.

XENA
Cross my heart.

Gabrielle reaches for the cup and downs the herbs, making a face before she hands it back over. Lethargy sweeps over her almost instantly, and she watches with heavy-lidded eyes as Xena replaces the cup with their gear. She then crosses back over, slips into the hammock, and gathers Gabrielle close against her.

GABRIELLE
Mm. If this is the reward I
get, remind me to take
those herbs more often.

Xena presses a kiss into Gabrielle's hair, and tucks the golden head beneath her chin.

XENA
Sleep now. You'll feel
better in the morning.

Things are quiet for a bit as Xena falls into her own thoughts and Gabrielle battles sleep's strong pull.

GABRIELLE
Xena?

XENA
Yes?

GABRIELLE
I'm sorry I said you have
hands like a sailor.

(drugged giggle)

Your hands are *much*
better than any old sailor's.

Xena laughs softly, rolling her eyes.

XENA
And how many "old sailors"
have you known?

GABRIELLE
(giggles again)
Wouldn't you like to know?

Xena shakes her head and kisses her partner's head again.

XENA
Goodnight, Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE
(dreamy sigh)
G'night, Xena.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. SHIP'S DECK. DAY.

Xena and Gabrielle stand side by side at the ship's rail, watching as land moves slowly into view. They have been traveling southward for several days and are both more than ready to leave the stinking confines of the ship.

Though Xena's potion has worked its customary miracles, Gabrielle wishes for nothing but to be standing on dry land once more.

As they watch the shoreline come closer, Gabrielle spots a large ship sailing toward them.

GABRIELLE
Xena?

XENA
I see it.

GABRIELLE
Do you think they're pirates?

XENA
Stupid ones, maybe. No
one loots a livestock ship.
There's very little profit in it.

GABRIELLE
Who, then?

XENA
I'm sure we'll find
out soon enough.

Both watch as the ship draws closer, and it becomes readily apparent that their guests are not pirates, but rather officials of some sort.

It becomes further apparent, listening to the two captains argue, that the livestock ship, being from Greece, will not be allowed entry into the harbor.

Cursing colorfully, the captain orders his ship turned around.

GABRIELLE
What do we do now?

XENA
Be right back.

Gabrielle looks on as Xena approaches the Captain and slings a friendly arm over his beefy shoulders, guiding him toward the wheel.

Several moments later, she returns to Gabrielle's side, a smug grin on her face.

GABRIELLE
Do I really want to know?

XENA
(shrugging)
Gave him an alternate
port to sail into.

GABRIELLE
Oh, you did, did you?

XENA
Yup. I used to come here
pretty often, in the old days.

GABRIELLE
Old days. As in ten...wait,
make that thirty five winters
ago, when you were a...

XENA
Pirate, yes.

(pause)

Had some wild times
there, as I recall.

GABRIELLE
Oh. Goody.

XENA
Aw, c'mon, Gabrielle. It
won't be that bad. You'll see.

FADE OUT.

ACT 2