Livia


By Sahdow Warrior

As the show opens, there is a big fight going on. Several soldiers are on fire, still trying to fight other men. A warrior woman on horseback, wearing armour, rides through the crowd. She swings her sword and cuts men down on all sides. She dismounts, and removes helmet, showing young, beautiful woman with an attitude. Ares appears, and congratulates her on her success. He tells her that she's the Emperor's official successor. With a leer on her face, she says that no one can stop her from exterminating the followers of Eli. Then she kisses Ares. Her name is Livia.

There is an avalanche in the mountains. It cracks the ice barrier that seals the cave where Xena and Gabrielle are entombed. Xena begins to move in her coffin, and she breaks out. There is an eerie orange light emitting from her casket. She sits up, looks around, and sees Gabrielle's casket, also. Then she spies her sword and chakram which are stuck up in the ground near her casket. She retrieves her things and breaks Gabrielle out of her casket with her sword. They are both alive.

Xena asks where Eve is. Gabrielle remembers that Octavius was supposed to be caring for Eve. Xena throws her chakram with teeth gritted, breaking out the entrance to the cave so they can escape.

They go to a village, but they can't remember things as they now see them. Much has changed. A woman says that this village is at the foot of Mount Aetna, to Xena's bewilderment. She yells for Ares, since she figures that he's guilty once more. The woman explains that Ares hasn't been seen around there since that legendary Xena woman was killed, about 25 years ago. Xena and Gab have horrified looks on their faces. Xena says she has to go to Rome immediately. Gabrielle asks why, and Xena says because that's where they took Eve. The woman says that only Livia is there, who is Octavius's bitch. Livia kills the followers of Eli. Gabrielle gasps, asking if Eli still has followers.

Xena and Gabrielle go into a tavern, and see Meg waiting a table. She walks up to Xena and Gab, fussing. She doesn't recognize them. She is old. Then, a very old Joxer enters and fusses at Meg. Joxer was married to Meg.... Xena and Gabrielle recognize him, and Gab calls to him. He says "What?" He turns and walks up to them, and recognizes them. They talk, and explain the situation to Joxer. He takes them to Argo, who is in a corral. Argo recognizes Xena, and she saddles Argo up. Then, Virgil, who is Joxer's son, enters. Virgil is a very nice-looking young man. He's heard a lot about X and G from Joxer. There are introductions all around. Gab smiles as she hears that Joxer was Virgil's father.

Octavius is discussed by all. Xena says she has to go there and save Eve. Virgil readies Joxer's horse, and they all go together to Rome. Joxer says he has to accompany them, just in case they meet with trouble.

They go to Rome, and see the crowd cheering Octavius, who is standing in a window. Xena says that Octavius has become hailed as the ruler of all these people. She sneaks into his room, and comes up behind him. He has a horrified look on his face to see Xena alive, and she asks what he's done with Eve. Before he can explain anything, the crowd roars as Livia rides through the crowd. They hail her as champion of Rome. Xena, with a horrified look on her face, asks if that is Eve, her daughter.

Livia rides up before Octavius at his window, and hails him from horseback. Then he closes his curtain and he and Xena talk. She argues that Octavius has made her an evil killer. Octavius proclaims his true love for Livia, and his plans to marry her. He says that she was raised and tutored by the best people in the kingdom, and he loved her dearly. He tells Xena that if she exposes Livia as being Eve, the gods will again hunt for her and try to kill her. He says that he's done everything to protect her identity all these years. Xena now realizes the seriousness of this situation, and she has a very painful look on her face.

Xena and Gabrielle are talking together later. Xena says that Eve has Xena's dark side and Callisto's spirit. Gabrielle says that it's great that Eve is alive and well. Xena says that she's given one child away, and she won't do it again!

In town, Virgil and Joxer are with Gabrielle. Joxer is in very bad health now, but Virgil is young and strong. As they stand talking, a town crier announces that Livia has commissioned a new temple to Ares, and speaks of new taxes. Gabrielle and Virgil start a fight with the soldiers over the taxes, Gab saying that she doesn't believe in paying homage to Ares. The soldiers call them followers of Eli, and try to kill them. There is a terrific fight, with Gab really showing the soldiers some moves. However, a guard grabs Joxer, who couldn't hold his own sword overhead to defend Gab or Virgil. The guard threatens to kill Joxer if Gab doesn't give up. She does.

Ares fights with Livia. There are great sword actions, then bare hands. Then, Livia kisses Ares. As they embrace, Xena is watching from a doorway.

Suddenly, Ares sees a chakram zing past them, and looks to see Xena as she retrieves the chakram. In disbelief, he walks up to her. She draws sword, saying that if he was mortal, she would cut his heart out. He smiles and walks directly into the sword, which protrudes through his back. He embraces Xena and kisses her, much to the irritation of Livia! She draws her sword and holds it to Xena, her mother. Ares explains that Xena was supposed to be dead 25 years ago, and he had to kiss her to see if she was real or an imposter. Livia isn't impressed. Xena then yells her Xena yell and flips up onto the roof of a building and disappears. Ares still explaining to Livia about his feelings.

Livia goes to Joxer, Virgil, and Gabrielle, where they are jailed. She offers a challenge to the death tomorrow for Virgil, who will have to fight for Joxer's release. Gab says something to Livia about how she's changed, and Livia asks her how she knows this. Gab tells Livia to ask that question to herself.

Xena confronts Octavius and says that she believes that he really does love Eve, but Eve is in love with Ares. Therefore, Eve is in danger. Octavius is distressed by this statement. She says that she's going to save Eve from Ares. She has a plan, and Octavius must cooperate with her when she gives him a signal. He agrees.

There is a big party going on that night, with music and drinking. Xena enters as a maid, carrying a wine jug. She nods a signal to Octavius. He arises and draws Livia off to the side with him. Ares is lying on a couch drinking wine. He holds his cup up to Xena and says, "Hit me!" Xena says, "Don't tempt me!"

Ares jumps up and they talk. He tells Xena that if she would just give him a chance, he'd drop Livia like a bad habit. Then, he embraces Xena and kisses her. Octavius and Livia (Eve) are right there, watching and listening to every word. Eve is pissed, and Octavius says, "You and Ares??" Eve stomps off.

Outside, Xena rounds a corner. She senses Ares' presence and calls out for him. Ares appears. Then, he tells Xena that he's figured out that Livia is actually Eve! For what other reason is Xena there, and why are they together without fighting? Xena tells Ares to keep out of her way. He says that the matter of Eve's protection is out of his hands concerning Eve, but that his offer to Xena still stands. If she accepts, then he will carry the secret of Eve to the grave with him.

Gabrielle approaches Virgil, who's writing poetry. He is ashamed, but says that he was inspired by his father, Joxer. He writes because Gabrielle was a bard, and was also an inspiration. Joxer walks in, and Virgil says that fighting for Joxer is nothing compared to what Joxer has accomplished in his travels. As Gab watches, Joxer starts to confess that he lied about all of his deeds. Gab says that Joxer was magnificent and was a great inspiration to Virgil. Joxer doesn't have to confess and he is greatly relieved.

Livia (Eve) is throwing a fit, destroying the place. Xena enters the room, Eve turns and immediately draws her sword. Xena throws the chakram, disarming Eve. Xena tells her that she didn't come to fight her, she came to talk. She said that she is her mother and her name is Eve. Xena says that she loves Eve. Eve denies this with a snarl, telling Xena to shut up. She says that Rome is her mother. She further says that tomorrow she will fight Xena to the death, and she exits the place.

In the arena, a sullen and hateful Livia enters on horseback. The crowd roars their approval to their champion and killer of Eli's followers as the announcer introduces her. Gabrielle, Virgil, and Joxer watch anxiously through bars from a window. Octavius announces that this will be a fight to the death between Livia and champion of Eli's followers, Xena. The gate opens and Xena walks into the arena, amid a roar of derision and jeers.

Xena faces Eve, who is still on horseback. Xena tells Eve that they don't have to do this, and Eve says, "I know." With that, Eve charges Xena. Xena throws her shield down and flips out of Eve's way. Eve charges again, and Xena knocks her off the horse. They fight briefly, and Xena says that she'll never give up on Eve. Eve declares that her name is Livia, and she springs back on the horse. She hurls a rope net at Xena, snaring her in the net. Then, Eve drags Xena through the arena sands. Xena is resourceful, however, and cuts the ropes with her sword. Xena flips forward onto the horse behind Eve, and they fall off the horse together.

Great fight, but Xena puts the pinch on Eve, who falls to the ground. Xena tells her that she's not going to let her die, because she's her daughter and she loves her very much. Eve says, through gritted teeth, "Then let me die!" Xena undoes the pinch. Xena wins. Huge roar from the crowd, as Xena stands over Eve. Octavius raises his hand. The crowd hushes, and Octavius gives them a "thumbs up!" Huge roar from crowd for life to Livia.

Xena reaches her hand down to Eve to help her up, but Eve knocks her hand away. Then, she says she will make Xena wish that she'd never been born.

Eve disappears into the crowd, as Xena calls to her. Looking wistfully toward Eve's direction wherever she went, Xena tells Gabrielle that she must go after Eve, to save her from herself ...to be continued next week. -shadow warrior