Yah, Argo! Yah!
Yah!
Yah!
The gods are throwing
everything they've got at us!
-Xena, what'll we do?
-Go!
Yah!
Easy, girl.
Well, Eve, that's one
for the grandchildren, huh?
Not many babies can say
they've been chased by a tornado.
Not many babies
are being for the death of Zeus.
The gods aren't taking
that lightly.
Gods… What do they know?
Fear… First time
they're fighting for their lives.
Gabrielle, we've managed
to handle it so far.
You're right. Tornadoes… Lightning…
How could it get worse?
Xena! Gabrielle!
Hi. It's me.
Don't… throw anything.
Joxer…
I… I… was lookin' for you guys ever since
I heard about the baby being born.
Is that it?
Oh…
Oh, little baby, oh…
Oh, look at the little…
You're a chubby one.
You've got little chubby cheeks.
-Yes, you do.
-Don't scare her, Joxer.
I'm not gonna scare her.
-Joxer, her name is Eve.
-You know… Looks just like you.
Eve, this is a very good friend
of ours, Joxer.
-And who are your friends?
-Who…
These… are the magi.
They came here to see you too.
It's ok.
She won't bite.
Come on.
See?
Told you they were my friends.
Funny thing…
They followed a light all the way here.
Lightning?
Yeah. Light-lightning.
-What's this about?
-A new day.
A new life for us all.
Your child issues in a new world,
without gods.
A world where every man
is master of his own fate.
And the birth…
should not go unremarked.
Or uncelebrated, though the gifts we bring…
are humble.
Won't you let us present them?
We've come so far… and every child
deserves birthday gifts.
Well, since you brought 'em…
be rude not to.
From the wide, fertile plains…
and fields…
…I bring you grain to nourish your life.
Thank you.
From the orchards and groves, fruit…
to sweeten her days.
From the essence of the sacred laurel…
…I bring you oil
to soothe your way.
Laurels are sacred
to the goddess Artemis.
The child must die.
In the time of ancient gods,…
…warlords…
…and kings…
…a land in turmoil
cried out for a hero.
She was Xena.
A mighty princess…
…forged in the heat of battle.
The power…
The passion…
The danger…
Her courage will change the world.
Joxer!
Eve…
Baby.
Is she ok?
-Yeah, she's fine.
-How's the baby?
Not a scratch.
Hey…
-What?
-Which is more than I can say for you.
Oh, it doesn't even hurt.
-Ow, it does now.
-Ah… It's just a graze.
Gabrielle, clean it, would you?
I'm gonna check these guys out,
find out who sent 'em.
Come on.
I smell a rat.
Come out, rat.
Rat? This is the thanks I get
for delivering you from the storm?
Right into the hands of assassins.
Well, it sure beats playing tag
with a tornado.
Besides…
I knew you could take 'em.
Thanks for the vote of confidence.
According to their amulets…
…these warriors came
from three different temples.
Artemis…
-Poseidon…
-And Apollo. Yeah, I know.
Their priests thought
by k*lling you and Eve…
…it would score 'em some big points.
Apollo?
Joxer…
But enough about them.
Let's talk about…
…us.
What, are you mad at me
or somethin'?
I would be if it would do any good.
Joxer, you led three K*llers
straight to Eve.
Well, you know, they were as much
a surprise to me as they were to you.
That's what I'm saying.
Everything is a surprise.
That was fine
when it was just Xena and I.
But now, there's Eve to consider.
What,
did you think I would hurt Eve?
I don't think so, Joxer,…
…but you just don't realize
that your actions have consequences.
Like this wound, for instance.
-I got it tryin' to help you, you know?
-No, I didn't need your help.
If you had just stopped to think about that,
you would have seen.
No, you just go charging in there.
Well, fine.
Maybe I won't charge in next time.
That's my point.
I don't want you to.
Oh, good, good.
Oh, great. Well, then…
…you maybe you won't mind finding
your heads lopped off next to your feet…
-…when you wake up in the morning.
-Yeah, well…
I can sleep better at night knowing
you're watching my back.
Gabrielle, Joxer…
-What?
-What?
Come here.
Gimme a look at that wound.
Do you remember
which one did this to you?
-No. It all happened so fast.
-Well, think. It's important.
Why is everybody telling me to think?
I think. I just don't show it.
What's wrong?
Those magis,… they were warriors
sent by three different priests.
One of them was a priest of Apollo.
So that's why they're after Eve?
What's a priest without a god…
It's also why
I'm worried about that wound.
If it was Apollo's man who cut you,
then it's poisoned.
Without an antidote, you'll die.
Is… Is that bad?
That's bad.
Well, ok.
Which sword cut you?
Try to see it in your mind.
I don't remember.
I feel fine.
Gods! Why don't you guys
just leave me alone already?
Joxer…
We can't take any chances.
That sword had blood on it,
and if it wasn't yours or mine or Eve's…
Where do we get the antidote?
There's a mandrake tree
at the north end of the valley.
It's resin
is the only known cure.
I can make a poultice which
should slow the poison up long enough…
…for you and Joxer
to make it there if you ride hard.
I need you to focus on Joxer.
Once that poison gets hold…
If it kicks in…
…a red line will move
from the wound to the heart.
Xena, let's just say…
that he's not poisoned.
Then I would be leaving
you and Eve alone for nothing.
Are you willing to gamble
Joxer's life on that?
No!
We failed.
Not possible.
I sent my best fighter.
We all did.
Look for yourself.
The heart is diseased…
…provin' our best
have been beaten.
If we expect
to save our gods…
…we must commit all our forces
to tracking down and k*lling Xena…
…and her spawn.
-Take care of your mom.
-Of course she will.
Xena, are you sure
you're going to be ok?
Yes. Now you don't have any time to waste.
I'll meet you two
at the mandrake tree, all right?
Fine. Come on, Argo.
Bye.
Bye.
It's just you and me now, Eve.
Well… Which way?
Xena said to the north of the valley.
Which way's north?
Oh… Guess you didn't think that out.
Joxer, I am taking you
to the mandrake tree…
…and that leaves Xena and Eve alone, ok?
It's makin' me nervous.
Oh, then by all means
you should go.
I mean, I'll make it to that tree fine by myself.
I feel good.
If you feel you need to go, you should…
take off by all means.
The poison's moving.
Joxer…
Hush now, my little one.
Please, don't you cry.
Lay your head down…
…on my shoulder and sigh.
Sun's gone away…
…and Mama will pray.
Silence will keep all…
…where you sleep.
You know, it never fails.
Every time you sit down to eat…
Don't worry.
I'll keep it warm for you.
Pooper-scooper.
Get it off!
Get it off!
Get her!
And that's how we do it.
What's that?
Baptism by blood.
How fitting…
-Can't you take a hint?
-I am here to help you.
That's what you said
last time in Tartarus…
…when you tried to convince me
that you love me.
I do.
I love it when you play hard to get.
But that's why I'm here.
To prove it to you.
Then you're wasting my time.
I'd never swallow that.
Thanks to that kid of yours,
I am dying.
-So why would I lie?
-Because you're Ares. You always lie.
Well, not anymore.
All I want is to end my life
the way it really started.
Fighting side by side with you.
You forget
I fight against scum like you.
Then so will I.
A fight is a fight,
no matter which side you're on.
Ok…
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry!
It's helping.
The red line seems to be holding.
We should have plenty of time
to get to the tree.
I thought you said you were leavin'.
I'm sorry about what I said.
I did not mean that.
I think you did.
Ok, maybe I did.
It's just hard knowing that the people
I love are in danger and I'm not there.
Talking about Xena, right?
I'm sure she can handle herself.
It doesn't mean I don't wanna be there
so I can jump in and help out or something.
I know the feeling.
I can be a real bitch sometimes, huh?
Can't I?
Let's get you to that tree.
Come on.
Sweet dreams, darling.
Damn!
-Get the hell away from my baby.
-I swear. I won't harm her.
That's right.
You're not gonna harm her.
How did we ever let things
get this way between us?
Well, could it have been when
you used the Furies to drive me insane?
Or when you turned yourself into my father,
just to torment me?
Or was it coming
onto my best friend?
Enough said.
Perhaps I've been a tad overzealous.
But all I want
is to have you back,…
…to have things
the way they were before.
-But all that's changed.
-That's right, it's changed.
There is… no going back.
Eve has seen to that.
I have a short span 'o time, and then…
…I'm gone.
Well, you'll forgive me
if I don't wear mourning.
The question is…
Do you… forgive me?
I wanna be with you, Xena.
And I will do whatever it takes
to make that happen.
Prove myself…
…to make you trust me.
You saved her.
No. That spring you rig saved her.
I just pitched relief.
But Eve means your death.
You still don't get it.
I would sooner die in your arms…
…than live without you in mine.
Oh, Eve…
Oh, Eve…
Eve…
Come on. Wake up, Joxer.
Break's over.
Hei…
Joxer, wake up.
Joxer?
Joxer…
Joxer…
I'll load up Argo.
You'll just have to g…
-What?
-Are you all right?
I'm fine.
-Good morning.
-Good morning.
Ok… I'm not so fine.
No?
You're so hot.
You're not so bad yourself.
-What?
-The poison's on the move.
Come on, we have to get you outta here.
-Ok.
-Stand.
Ok.
-How you doing, Joxer?
-Fine. I feel fine.
-It can't be much longer now.
-Ok.
k*ll them.
Hold your fire!
These woods
are consecrated to Artemis.
To trespass is to die.
We weren't trespassing.
We were on our way to her temple…
for worship.
Your friend looks more in need
of a hospice than a temple.
-Well, that's… because…
-We were att*cked.
We were att*cked by
a fierce warrior woman…
…with a baby
Xena?
Right. Xena, you know.
Where was this?
Well, if you really wanna catch here…
you should head…
-…west.
-East.
-West.
-East, I mean.
-She was tall.
-She's everywhere.
Take them back
to the temple trail.
Then spread east.
We'll go west.
No, wait.
We don't need an escort.
If you just point the way,
I'm sure we can find the trail.
Until Xena and her godless child
have been destroyed…
…no one's safe.
Now, move out.
I'm tellin' you, Eve,
you can't trust any of 'em.
Not dreams… Not visions…
Not even premonitions.
No, none of them mean what you think.
I would rather die in your arms…
They're either all symbolic or they play on
words that you only half remember hearing.
Sometimes they're quite literal, but
the best thing to do with a dream…
…is just ignore it.
I think it was Autolycus that said…
"Sometimes a dream… it's just a dream."
It's just a dream.
You see, to be looking
for hidden meanings in things…
…or secret messages
that your gut is trying to send you,…
…it's just ludicrous.
That's crazy.
Crazy.
Am I right?
What would you know, huh?
Well, come on.
Another mile and we can double back.
You're so beautiful, Gabrielle.
Did I ever tell you that?
You're very ill, Joxer.
Hey… I kind of miss
your long hair, you know?
You used to wear it up
like a princess,…
…or braided like a warrior.
And sometimes you'd have it down…
and you'd look like an angel.
Joxer… I'm not any of those things.
I'm just me, all right?
Joxer, stay awake!
-Come on, hang in there.
-I'm fine. I'm fine.
Joxer!
Hey, are you all right?
What happened?
You're burning up.
Let's see.
-Some water for you?
-No, that's empty.
Mine is too. Listen, I'm gonna go down
to the pond that was a ways back.
I'm gonna fill up our water bottles, ok?
-Ok, I'll go with you.
-No, no. You're gonna stay here.
-No, I'll go with…
-No! Joxer, rest.
-Ok.
-Stay here.
Just as I thought.
Xena and her brat are headed south.
-Let's go!
-Move out.
Go!
And that's how you lay a false trail.
It's basic, but you gotta
start someplace.
Ares says they're almost
at the trees.
Keep moving.
Gabrielle?
Joxer?
Should be here by now.
Well… Take a look-see, shall we?
What's this? According to the track,
Xena's turned north.
Well… Someone must have been
cut after all, huh?
They're headed for the mandrake tree.
Move out!
Ares…
You rang?
I knew this had your stink all over it.
Well, I had to do something
to get your attention.
-You're always walking away.
-With good reason.
I knew all your talk
was lies.
You're wrong.
I'm more than willing
to fight beside you,…
…be a father to Eve…
…and to a child of our own.
That's your game.
Now that you feel you're checking out…
…you want a child
to carry on your line.
I know it's not real immortality,
but it's better than nothing.
Besides, mortals do it all the time.
Why not me?
Becuase you're a conniving bastard!
That's why not you.
Only because you never believe me
when I'm trying to be sincere.
-Sincere?
-I'm trying, ok?
Every god on Mount Olympus
is targeting you.
Even now,
three temple armies are closing in.
Now, all I'm asking…
is your word we will be together…
…and have a child.
And I'll make all this go away.
I swear.
You're asking me
to give up the future.
Well, I won't do that
even if it means sacrificing my life.
Even if it means…
…Joxer's life…
or Gabrielle's…
…or Eve's?
It's all right, Eve.
Everything's gonna be all right.
Joxer?
-Joxer, where are you?
-Here!
Here.
Easy.
-I heard…
-Are you ok?
I heard guards
and I hid in the log.
Ok. Here you go.
It was good thinking.
Yeah. I have lots of good ideas
these days, huh?
Yeah.
-Yeah. Can you get up?
-Yeah.
Put your arms around me, come on.
-I can't! I can't!
-Ok, ok.
It's ok.
Ok, look, I got an idea.
You go get the resin and come back
and I'll wait here.
I'm not leaving you.
Now who's not thinking?
Xena's probably already at the tree
waiting for us.
Well, then she's on her way to find us.
Look, we're so far off the trail,
she's not gonna know where to look.
Gabrielle…
Why don't you be smart
and think about the people you love?
I am.
See, what we gotta do is keep
our eyes peeled for a sign.
Gabrielle's smart.
She'll try to get our attention if she can.
Trouble is, the guards
would smell a signal fire.
Hey. Hey.
Guards have ears, too, you know?
Otherwise,
Gabrielle would be raising a ruckus.
So unless you see
something that I don't.
Well, why didn't you say something?
Told you Gabrielle
was smart.
Gabrielle!
-Hey… It's ok. It's ok.
-Was I dreaming?
Yeah.
I dreamt we were
in trouble, you know?
Us? No way.
Us.
How come there was never
an "us", Gabrielle?
Why… Why do people love
the people that they do?
I don't know.
I know why.
Because you made me feel special.
You are special.
Not special enough.
You're special enough to see me through
the worst times of my life.
Enough that I've come to rely on you
as a very good friend.
Why didn't you love me, Gabrielle?
I do love you.
It's just not the way that you want it,
I guess.
I wish I did.
Joxer…
Lie still, ok?
Xena…
Thank the gods.
Did you get to the tree?
Charge!
Charge!
Charge!
For Artemis!
k*ll the child!
k*ll the godless spawn!
Goodbye, Xena!
It's all right, sweetheart.
This'll be over soon, I promise.
Gabrielle…
Had enough?
One word from you and all this is over.
You know how it could be, Xena.
Give me… a child.
I swear, I would never harm it.
Dreams can
come true, Xena
Give me… a child.
You're not a dream.
You're my worst nightmare.
Enjoy.
-k*ll the godless spawn!
-k*ll them both!
Poseidon!
Hang on, sweetheart!
Sweet dreams.
Retreat!
Oh, Eve…
Good girl.
-Hold that.
-Ok.
-Is he…?
-He's gonna be fine. Look.
The poison's alrady receding.
Jox…
Hi, Xena. So, what did I miss?
Not a thing, Joxer. Not a thing.
Joxer, when you were ill,
I said…
I know what you said.
You said that you love me,
but only as a friend, right?
I do mean that I… I…
I know you do. I know you do.
But, Gabrielle, I will always
love you more than that.
And… that's just something I'll have
to live with, you know?
But that's all right.
But…
Gabrielle…
-Is Joxer all right?
-Yeah, he's…
He's fine.
What's wrong?
I've been asking myself
the same thing.
You know, we live our lives
the way we do…
…because someone has to help
those who can't help themselves.
But is it wrong to expose a child
to that kind of v*olence?
That blood?
I think so.
But, Xena, sometimes
it's our only resort…
…until we find
a more effective way of doing it all.
Perhaps the greater wrong
is never to fight at all, huh?
You know what?
I think… it doesn't matter
where we take a stand…
…as long as we make one.