The Fates have decreed it: The time of the Olympian Gods will end with the birth of a child not sired by man. Prepare for the wrath of the Gods as Xena & Gabrielle fight for the life of their child.

The Fates are examining a timeline. They tell Zeus the gods will rule until a child, not fathered by a man, is born. Zeus believes women can't do anything without a man, especially have a child! The Fates insist and say Xena's child will end the reign of the gods. Zeus: "My dreams are dark. There is danger. Illuminate that section. There, my Fates. Tell me." Child Fate: "As it has been since time beyond remembering, you will continue to rule supreme among Supreme ..." Maiden Fate: "... until such time as a child not begotten by man is born ..." Crone Fate: "... a time that is fast approaching." Zeus: "Nonsense. Everything that breathes upon this earth breathes because we have given it life. Our dominion here is Eternal." Hera: "You told me once, dear husband, that all things must come to an end. Why should we be no exception?" Zeus: "Because I have always been the master of Fate. I'm not about to become its servant."

With Xena and Gabrielle. Xena tells Gabrielle to feel the baby kicking. Gabrielle tells Xena she had a dream that both she and Xena were having the baby. Xena retorts that she would be glad to share the labour pains. Hercules arrives and then a dozen men turn up and attack Xena, Gabrielle and Hercules. Much fighting ensues. The trio discover Zeus has decreed that Xena's unborn baby must die. Gabrielle asks why Zeus would want that but no one knows why. Hercules says he will go and talk to his dad. Another evil guy turns up and Xena chakrams him, making the ones they knocked out more powerful. Hercules tells the others these are Zeus's secret guard, the Proxidicae. When one is killed, the rest become stronger.

Xena, Gabrielle and Hercules make a run for it. Xena comments she should be invisible. She and Gabrielle decide to visit Tartarus to get the Helmet of Invisibility from Hades. Hercules says if the baby is born in Tartarus it will be stillborn. He then goes off to talk to his dad.

Xena and Gabrielle are at a lake. Gabrielle: "It looks so deep." Xena: "It's the only way I know to get into Tartarus." Gabrielle: "Are you alright?" Xena: "It's always going to be this way, isn't it? My child will always face an uphill battle to be happy." Gabrielle: "Xena, your baby won't have to do it alone." Xena: "I couldn't save my son." Gabrielle: "Xena, that was not your fault. We both have regrets about Solan. This is going to be different. You and I will dedicate our lives to protect your baby. Come on, you can't fail." Xena: "We won't fail. Alright ... let's go."

Hercules calls for his father. Zeus says Xena's child will herald the end of the Greek gods. He and Hercules argue, unable to reach an agreement. Hera tells Zeus that perhaps the Fates are right and it is time for the gods to die. Zeus: "You've always held a special place in my heart, Hercules. But, it is a place that can be just as easily filled by your loving memory." Hercules: "I don't think I'll be calling you 'father' anymore."

Meanwhile Xena & Gabrielle arrive in Tartarus soon to be followed by the guards of Hades.

Ares arrives at Mount Olympus and talks to Zeus. Zeus orders Ares to distract Hercules while he kills Xena.

Ares: "To what do I owe this dubious pleasure?" Zeus: "Is it so odd for a father to want to spend some time with his son?" Ares: "Okay, so now I'm your son? Please, don't insult my intelligence. You obviously want something." Zeus: "I need you to keep Hercules out of my way." Ares: "Why cant you do it yourself?" Zeus: "Because what I must do to Xena and her child, I cannot ask of anybody else." Ares: "Oh, oh, you are a real piece of work, you know that? You want me to keep Hercules busy so you don't have to kill him. Meantime, you intend to murder a woman I'm rather fond of." Zeus: "So fond of her as to bring about your own death? That's exactly what will happen if this child is born." Ares: "No. No deal. That is - unless, of course, you're willing to offer me something in return." Zeus: "Such as?" Ares: "You have always kept a watchful eye over Hercules. I'm asking you to turn the other way while I do what I have to to stop him." Zeus: "You're asking for my permission to kill my own son?!" Ares: "What is it about him that you have never seen in me?!" Zeus: "It's not just you. He has managed to do something we gods have tried and failed to accomplish. He's earned Humanity's love in every gesture ... except fear." Ares: "And Xena has earned mine. So, I guess we both have something to lose. Well, 'Dad', what's it going to be?"

Ares finds Hercules and tells him it's time for his funeral then throws a fireball at him. Hera appears and throws a fireball at Ares knocking him unconcious. She tells Hercules that he is in the forest of the Titans and she knows why.

Meanwhile in Tartarus… Gabrielle: "What's happened to them?" Xena: "They're doomed to spend the rest of Eternity watching the lives they left behind." Gabrielle: "It's so cruel." Xena: "It's Tartarus, Gabrielle. No one gets here by accident."

Suddenly they find Solan in a cocoon and Xena frees him. She asks why he is not in the Elysian Fields. He tells Xena that you just wait around there and he would rather remember Xena the way she was. He did not want to forget her. Xena tells him he cannot stay in Tartarus and takes him with them.

Meanwhile, Hera tells Hercules she will help him find the ribs of Cronus and that she wants to fight beside him. Understandably, Hercules is dubious about this. In Tartarus, Xena and Solan talk whilst Gabrielle scouts ahead. Solan says he does not want to go to the Elysian Fields because he will not see Xena again. He says she does not need him anyway because she has another baby on the way. Xena tells him she has always loved him.

The three make their way to Hades' palace. Hades turns up with some of his men. He says that Xena will be in Tartarus forever and that the Fates foresaw her baby ending the reign of the gods. There is a fight, during which Gabrielle grabs the helmet and puts it on. Xena and Solan run whilst Gabrielle fights and defeats Hades. Hera and Hercules look for Cronus' grave. Hera tells Hercules about how Cronos' rib cut a hole in the sky to create the sun. She says she is proud of the creation of humanity.

Zeus wakes Ares and tells him Hera is helping Hercules and that he will rid the world of both Xena and Hercules. Ares says yeah, go on then.

Hera and Hercules find Cronus' rib. Hercules says although he won't ever forgive Hera for killing his family, he is grateful for her help.

In Tartarus, Xena and Solan run into Ares. He says he wants to protect her and the baby and be the baby's dad. Xena thinks this is another trick. She says she is pregnant, not brain damaged. She challenges Ares to tell her he loves her. He can't do it. Xena and Solan run down a passage. After they have gone, Ares admits out loud he loves Xena.

Xena and Solan find the door to the Elysian Fields. It is guarded. Gabrielle arrives, just in time for Xena to start with labour pains.

Hades arrives. Xena gives the helmet to Solan and tells him to go to the Elysian Fields. Xena and Gabrielle then fight Hades. Hades throws a fireball at Xena but she deflects it with her chakram. Solan stands in the Elysian Fields. He asks Xena when she is coming back. Xena suffers pains again and says goodbye to Solan. Gabrielle helps Xena and they run out of the cave. They fight more soldiers. The Fates say the birth of Xena's baby is near. Hercules gets the rib of Cronus from the tomb. Zeus zaps a lightning bolt at Hercules but he deflects it with the rib. Hera throws a fireball at Zeus. Hera: "Go, make sure that Xena is safe." Hercules: "He'll kill you if he has to." Hera: "I can handle him." Xena and Gabrielle fight the soldiers and Xena has pains again.

Hercules arrives and throws the rib to Xena and she kills all the soldiers. Then she collapses and calls for Gabrielle.

Zeus: "Our eternity together will have to be cut short, dear wife." Hera: "That is your decision, it always has been." Zeus: "You've disappointed me." Hera: "This is the first thing I have done right ... in an eternity." Zeus: "And the last." They disappear in a whirlwind and Hera is no more.

Xena, Gabrielle and Hercules look for somewhere safe. Xena tells Gabrielle to leave so she won't get caught in the crossfire. Gabrielle says she is staying put.

Zeus reappears and throws lightning bolts at Hercules. Xena gets undressed. Zeus and Hercules fight as Xena screams in the background. The baby is born. When Zeus sees the baby's head he throws a lightning bolt at it. Hercules grabs the rib and stabs Zeus with it. The clouds roll. The earth moves. The wind stops. The baby is a girl.

Zeus: "You may have sworn never to call me 'father' again ... but you will always be my son." Hercules: "This didn't have to happen!" Zeus: "Every son must eventually take his father's place, like I did mine. Hercules ... you've never disappointed me ... especially today." Hercules: "Father ... Father!" He then dies and is turned to dust. There are dark, stormy clouds. In the hall of the Fates, Ares shrugs. Then the sun shines.

Xena and Gabrielle sit. Xena holds the baby. She tells Hercules she is sorry about Zeus. She names the baby Eve; Solan suggested this name to Xena when they were in Tartarus. Hercules stands up, as does Gabrielle. Xena sits alone, holding her child. She tells Solan they will all be together. Holding the baby, she looks up at the sky.

One of the six Olympians, the daughter of Cronos and Rhea, Hera is the beautiful and powerful wife of Zeus. Her beauty is renewed each spring as she magically washes away the ware and worry of her immortal lifestyle. Her name appears in many stories and she is often regarded as petty and unforgiving. The story of Zeus and Io is the sad story of infidelity and revenge. Zeus changed his beautiful lover, Io, into a black and white heifer to hide her from Hera. Hera saw through the ruse and sent Argos Panoptes (all seeing) to keep watch on Io and keep Zeus away. Hermes, doing the will of Zeus, killed Argos and thus received the name Argeiphontes (the murderer of Argos). Hera would not be deterred from her vengeance. She sent a gad fly to torment and constantly prod the poor cow-woman so that she might never rest or find comfort. Finally, Io was driven to the ends of the earth (i.e. Egypt) where she found peace. The eyes of Argos can still be seen in the tail of the peacock.

Having betrayed Zeus, Hera performed her first selfless and righteous act in her existence. Aligning herself with Hercules was not only shocking but it would be the beginning of her end. In the tomb of Cronus, Zeus kisses his wife goodbye and in a whirlwind Hera’s life-force is snuffed out.

The son of Cronus and Rhea, Zeus (like his father before him) deposed his aged father from the throne of eternity. As Cronus  was about to slay his father, Uranus, he was warned that his own son would someday depose him. In fear and greed, Cronus swallowed his first children as they were born, but Rhea tricked Cronus  and when the sixth child, Zeus, was born, she substituted a stone for the infant and Cronus  swallowed it down, unknowing that his father’s prophecy was coming to fruition. Zeus was hidden and raised in secret until he was old enough to fulfill his destiny. One day he ambushed Cronus  while out hunting. Zeus kicked Cronus in the stomach so hard the aged god vomited up the stone and the five divine, undigested gods and goddesses: Demeter, Hades, Hestia, Hera and Poseidon. In gratitude, and bowing to destiny, Zeus was unanimously declared leader of the immortals. Zeus made his domain the mountain tops and clouds, where he could survey and vitalize all creation. He married his elder sister, the eternally beautiful Hera. She was jealous and vengeful of her husband’s affections and his many love affairs with goddesses and mortals gave her endless worry and caused much divine wrath to be visited on the mortals.

Zeus the Supreme King of the Gods is dead, killed by his son’s own hand much like his father Cronus before him and his grandfather Uranus before that. With His death, the future of the other Olympian Gods seems uncertain. Although no other God has fallen the entire Pantheon will be after the baby Eve and they will stop at nothing to prevent the Twilight of the Gods.

Xena and Gabrielle, on their horses (and baby on board), race across the desert. Thunder and lightning crash around them. A tornado follows them. A hooded figure points out a direction. They race into the woods. Lightening hits a tree, and fire falls all around them. They urge the horses through the flames. The tornado follows them. They hurry into a cave. Xena: "Well, Eve, that's one for the grandchildren, huh? Not many babies can say that they've been chased by a tornado." Gabrielle: "Not many babies are being blamed for the death of Zeus. The gods aren't taking that lightly." Xena: "Gods, what do they know?" Gabrielle: "Fear. For the first time, they're fighting for their lives."

They hear a sound. Joxer comes out of the back of the cave. He says he has been looking for them ever since he heard the baby was born. He also has some friends with him, three Magi, who have come bearing gifts for the baby. They have been following a light, searching for Xena. They kneel. They say Xena's child ushers in a New World. They want to give gifts. Xena says it would be rude not to accept them. One gives grain to nourish life. Another gives fruit to sweeten her days. The last gives oil from the sacred laurel. Xena says that laurel is sacred to Artemis, and she kicks the vial out of the woman's hand. The three Magi pull their swords and say the child must die.

Fighting ensues. Gabrielle does most of the fighting, Joxer makes an effort. Xena slits the woman's throat with her chakram. Joxer gets his arm cut. Xena tells Gabrielle to take Joxer outside and clean his wound.

Xena: "I smell a rat. Come out, rat." Ares: "Rat? This is the thanks I get for delivering you from the storm?" Xena: "Right into the hands of assassins." Ares: "Well, I knew you could take them." Xena: "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

Xena: "According to their amulets, these warriors came from three different temples - Artemis … Poseidon …" Ares: "… and Apollo. Yeah, I know. Their priests thought by killing you and Eve they would score some big points." Xena: "Apollo … Joxer!" Ares: "But, enough about them, let's talk about … (to an empty cave) … us."

Joxer and Gabrielle at the stream, talk. One of them says everything is a surprise. They argue a little bit. Gabrielle says Eve has to be taken into consideration. Gabrielle tells Joxer he doesn't think, and that she doesn't need his help. Xena comes up and looks at Joxer's wound. She says if it was Apollo's sword that cut Joxer, then Joxer has been poisoned and needs an antidote, the oil of a mandrake tree at the North end of the valley. Joxer says he hasn't been poisoned, and walks off.

Xena: "We can't take any chances. That sword had blood on it, and if it wasn't yours or mine or Eve's …" Gabrielle: "Where do we get the antidote?" Xena: "There's a Mandrake tree at the north end of the valley. Its 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 …" Gabrielle: "If it kicks in." Xena: "… a red line will move from the wound to the heart." Gabrielle: "Xena, let's just say that he's not poisoned, then I would be leaving you and Eve alone for nothing." Xena: "Are you willing to gamble Joxer's life on that?"

Priests kill a man and look at the worms in his heart. They realize their Magi failed and now they have to send armies out to kill Xena and her spawn. Gabrielle and Joxer leave on the horses. Xena tells Eve it's just the two of them, now. Gabrielle and Joxer ride off. Gabrielle says she is worried about Xena and Eve.

Joxer: "Well, which way?" Gabrielle: "Xena said to the north of the valley." Joxer: "Which way's north?" Gabrielle: " …" Joxer: "Guess you didn't think that out." Gabrielle: "Joxer, I am taking you to the Mandrake tree and that leaves Xena and Eve alone, okay? It's making me nervous." Joxer: "Oh, well, by all means, you should go. I mean, I'll make it to that tree fine by myself. I feel fine. If you feel the need to go, you should take off, by all means …" Gabrielle: (takes a look at his arm) "The poison's moving. Joxer …"

Xena sings to Eve as she breastfeeds. Someone sneaks up behind Xena and Eve. Xena grabs her chakram and fights.

When the fighting is over, Xena notices that Eve got a little blood on her. Ares shows up "Baptism by blood. How fitting" Xena mentions Ares' appearance to her in Tartarus and how Ares thinks he loves her. Ares says he is dying. He says he'll fight against the bad guys to be beside Xena. Joxer and Gabrielle work on Joxer's cut arm, which is getting worse. Gabrielle: "It's helping. The red line seems to be holding. We should have plenty of time to get to the tree." Joxer: "I thought you said you were leaving." Gabrielle: "I'm sorry about what I said. I did not mean that." Joxer: "Mm, I think you did." Gabrielle: "Okay, maybe I did. It's just hard knowing that the people I love are in danger and I'm not there." Joxer: "You're talking about Xena, right? I'm sure she can handle herself." Gabrielle: "It doesn't mean that I don't want to be there so I can jump in and help or something." Joxer: "I know the feeling."

Gabrielle: "I can be a real bitch sometimes, huh?" Joxer: "Mm … mm … mm …" Gabrielle: "Can't I?" Joxer: "Mm-hmm." Gabrielle: "Let's get to that tree, okay? Come on."

It is night. Xena kisses Eve. Ares shows up. Xena punches him and tells him to stay away. Xena recalls all of the ways Ares has hurt her. He says he wants Xena back. But it's all changed. Ares says he has a short span of time and then he is gone. He asks Xena to forgive him. He wants to be with Xena.

Someone attacks, trying to kill Eve. Ares and Xena both go after the guy. "You still don't get it. I would sooner die in your arms … than live without you in mine." - Ares proves to be quite persuasive and Xena more than receptive to his sexual advances. They kiss. Xena wakes up. It was a dream. She checks the baby.

Gabrielle and Joxer take a break from riding. Joxer won't wake up. He finally does wake up. Gabrielle helps him up so they can ride off.

They come upon a band of women. One of them orders Gabrielle and Joxer killed. They are trespassing in the sacred woods of Artemis. One of them comments on Joxer's illness. Joxer says a woman travelling with a baby attacked them. Gabrielle says they are on their way to worship Artemis. Convinced, the women let them go.

Xena walks, creating a false trail, and remembers her dreams and tries to sort things out. She keeps remembering Ares making love to her. She has the woollies about it.

Joxer and Gabrielle keep moving. Joxer tells Gabrielle she's beautiful. Joxer falls off the horse. Joxer is burning up with fever. Gabrielle goes to fill up the water bottles.

Warriors find Xena's false trail and begin following it. Gabrielle sees warriors going in search of Xena. Xena reaches the mandrake tree and finds Gabrielle and Joxer are not there. She climbs the tree. The warriors realize that Xena has turned and changed directions. They realize she is heading for the mandrake tree. Ares watches. Xena, up in the tree, sees the warriors coming after her.

Xena: (seeing three armies converging on the Mandrake tree in which she is perched) "Ares." Ares: "You rang." Xena: "I knew this had your stink all over it." Ares: "Well, I had to do something to get your attention. You're always walking away." Xena: "Good reason, I knew all your talk was lies." Ares: "You're wrong. I'm more than willing to fight beside you, be a father to Eve … and to a child of our own." Xena: "That's your game. Now that you feel you're checking out, you want a child to carry on your line." Ares: "I know it's not real immortality, but it's better than nothing. Besides, mortals do it all the time. Why not me?" Xena: "Because you're a conniving bastard, that's why not you." Ares: "Only because you never believe me when I'm trying to be sincere." Xena: "Sincere?" Ares: "I'm trying, okay? Every god on Mount Olympus is targeting you. Even now, three temple armies are closing in. Now, all I'm asking is that we'll be together, have a child, and I'll make all this go away. I swear." Xena: "You're asking me to give up the future. Well, I won't do that, even if it means sacrificing my life." Ares: "Even if it means … Joxer's life? … or Gabrielle's? … or Eve's?" The armies march. Ares vanishes. Eve cries. Xena comforts her. Gabrielle goes back to find Joxer hiding in a log. She gives him water. She tries to help him up, but can't. He tells her to go ahead. Gabrielle says she isn't leaving him. They argue about whom is thinking about the people they love. Gabrielle says she is. Xena looks for a signal from Gabrielle. She finally sees one of Gabrielle's scrolls flying like a kite up in the air.

Joxer yells for Gabrielle as he wakes from fever. Gabrielle holds Joxer. Joxer asks Gabrielle why there was "never an us." Joxer says Gabrielle makes him feel special. Gabrielle says he is special. She says she relies on him as a very good friend. Gabrielle says she does love him, just not like he wants.

Xena shows up. Two spears fly through the air at them. Xena catches them. The armies all converge and bear down on Xena & Gabrielle. Xena throws the spears into people. Xena and Gabrielle fight. Eve, on Xena's back, cries. Xena fights. Suddenly everyone freezes in place and no one can move but Xena.

Ares shows up. Xena: (the world around Xena stops in mid-battle) "Gabrielle?" Ares: "Had enough? 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." Xena: "You're not a dream. You're my worst nightmare." Ares: "Enjoy." Ares wakes everyone up again and he vanishes. Xena ties a rope around Eve and hoists her up in a tree. More fighting with Xena and Gabrielle. A guy on a horse spies the baby in the tree, as do several other army leaders, and they all go for the baby. Xena jumps up to get Eve but Ares does a somersault and gets the baby.

He and Xena look at each other. He lets the baby go, letting the rope pull the child back into the tree. Xena chakrams several people, including all the army leaders. Xena retrieves the baby. Eve cries. Xena takes the antidote to Joxer. Eve has blood on her again. Xena, Gabrielle and Joxer lead the horses. Gabrielle: "Joxer, when you were ill, I said -" Joxer: "I know what you said. You said that you love me, but only as a friend, right?" Gabrielle: "I do mean that. I - I …" Joxer: "I know you do. But, Gabrielle, I'll always love you more than that, and that's just something I'll have to live with, you know? That's alright."

Xena: "Gabrielle … is Joxer alright?" Gabrielle: "Yeah, he's … he's fine. What's wrong?" Xena: "I've been asking myself that 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 violence, that blood?" Gabrielle: "I think so. But, Xena, sometimes it's our only resort until we find a more effective way of doing it well." Xena: "Perhaps a greater wrong is never to fight at all, huh?" Xena: "You know what? I think it doesn't matter where we take a stand … as long as we make one." Xena, Gabrielle and Eve, with Joxer trailing behind, walk off into the sunset.

With Ares trying to save his own skin and the other Gods sending their armies out to get them, Xena & Gabrielle have seemingly nowhere to turn.

Apollo who has never had any direct contact with the pair has condoned a brutal and sinister attack with poisoned swords as his devious contribution to the Olympians’ plight. As God of the Sun and brother to Artemis, Apollo is certainly one of the more powerful if less demonstrative of the Olympians. Poseidon, we know his history with the duo so his attack is to be expected and almost definitely the first of many.

Perhaps most disconcerting of all - Artemis, the patron Goddess to the Amazons has deemed it necessary to kill the child even at the expense of her Amazon Queen. We saw the Moon Goddess’ temple had no apparent qualms about dismembering Gabrielle to protect their deity. Where does this leave the Amazons of Gabrielle’s tribe? We’ve seen in the past that the Amazons are loyal to their Goddess but are above all a sisterhood dependent on each other. That bond is sacred in itself and cannot be easily broken.