The Tunnel Of Time

The Tunnel Of Time

PART TWO

A sensor-light began bleating insistently. It was time for the IV bag to be changed. Ilaria's eyelids fluttered open momentarily as she waited for the nurse to arrive. Near the head of the bed, the vital signs monitor hummed reassuringly. Nevertheless, Ilaria reached forward and laid her hand upon Maximus' chest. It rose and fell evenly. Beneath her hand, she could feel his heart beating strongly within his chest. He was merely sleeping.

Alive.

Safe.

He had lost an enormous amount of blood.

The paramedics, responding to Ilaria's frantic plea for help near the ruins of the Ludus Magnus, had not known what to make of the scene. They had listened in disbelief to her hastily concocted tale of an accident, staring at the odd clothing of the patient, and of the woman and man who had slipped away. They should have stopped them: should have questioned them regarding the stabbing, but there was no time. The victim was in too critical a state. In the end, it had taken three transfusions to save him.

Ilaria stretched as the nurse entered the room and threaded a fresh pouch of fluids onto the IV stand.

"He's doing better." She remarked companionably.

Ilaria nodded.

"He'll probably wake up soon."

Another nod.

"Goodnight."

Ilaria waited for the nurse to leave, and then laid her head on the pillow next to the sleeping man. In some ways, it was a relief that he had slept so long. The police were very interested in how a man, clad only in a short blue tunic, had appeared in the middle of the ruins of the Ludus Magnus with a stab wound in his back. Stephanie and Quintus had been seen, but thankfully, they had escaped before the police arrived. Ilaria only hoped that they had made it back to Stephanie's apartment to change without drawing much attention.

There was another beep, and Ilaria smiled as she saw Maximus' eyes flutter open. There was a second of confusion- the same confusion she remembered experiencing the first time that she awoke in the past...

"Where.... where am I?"

Ilaria smiled, caressing his cheek with her finger.

"Home."

Stephanie led Quintus into her apartment and quickly shut the door. She wanted to get him off the streets as soon as possible. Already he was glass-eyed with shock. During her insistent herding, pulling him through the streets of Rome, into a taxi, and finally to the apartment she had let temporarily while she closed a deal for one of her firm's Italian clients, she had sensed that only the velocity with which they had been moving forward had kept him from breaking down.

She hadn't meant for it to be this way. She had meant to tell him long ago where she was truly from, but there had never been time....

Now he simply stared, looking like nothing so much as a piece of flotsam adrift at sea.

Stephanie led him to a chair and urged him to sit. He did so, but not without casting a nervous glance at the unfamiliarly plush furnishing.

"Where.... where am I?" He said lowly.

She took a deep breath, remembering what it had been like for herself encountering this phenomenon for the first time only a few days before. It had been easier for her in a way- she knew what the past looked like. She had always been a keen student of the civilization in Ancient Roman culture. Even the language, though different from her own, was a bit familiar from everyday life, particularly in her sphere as an attorney. For Quintus, everything was completely new-- and unexpected, as she had never been brave enough to give him the faintest inkling of her true origins..

"You are in Rome." She continued speaking in Latin, trying to make things as familiar as possible. "In my apartment..."

"Insula?" He asked. It was not a house... but it was furnished so richly! In HIS Rome, the higher apartments were very cheap- and incredibly unsafe. Why take the risk when, it appeared that she had enough money for a house? "Where is your father?"

She frowned. Such an unusual question! Then, she realized the intent of his inquiry. "My father isn't here. I live alone."

"Then, your husband..." his face fell, at last, at least part of her reticence made sense.

"No. No husband. I live alone."

"But....?"

"It's very common for women now... I do have a house in America though. I am in Italy for a year on a work assignment."

"You... you work?"

"I'm an attorney."

He blinked in amazement.

Stephanie sighed. There was so much to tell him. He was like a newborn baby. Everything that he touched seemed was completely unique in his experience. Perhaps she should begin at the beginning.....

Maximus thought, at first, that he was finally in Elysium - but Selene and Marcus were no where in sight. There was no blue sky, no waving wheat, no warm sun- he was very cool, smooth, crisp cotton was pulled against his skin, and there was high, regular squeaking every second or so only a few inches from his head.

He opened his eyes.

It hadn't been a dream. He was in a small, rectangular room, lying on a low bed. He seemed to be restrained; clear, stem-like ribbons trailed from steel pegs that had been driven into his flesh at the wrists. They were connected to a small, glassy sac filled with dripping liquid. He watched, fascinated as a drop of moisture trailed along the tube to the peg in his skin. Was it going into his body? Were they poisoning him?

At last, he was aware of movement nearby. It was Ilaria. His heart warmed- at last, something familiar! - "Where am I?" He asked, groggily.

"Home."

Home. No, this was not his home. His home was a golden, sloping hillside far away- separated from him forever by both distance and time. Not home...but safe, at least it seemed so for now. Maximus did not know what they were doing to him, but with Ilaria nearby, he trusted that it was all right... it had to be.

His attention returned to the tubing. The pegs were held in place with thin bandages, if he tugged....

"Don't!" Ilaria said quickly, nearly jumping from her chair.

He stopped.

"It's medicine." She explained. "You need it."

"Medicine?"

"You almost died."

Almost. He sighed. He had been so close to Marcus.... and Selene. He could almost touch them, but he had been jerked away again.

"You are much better now." The woman assured him, "The doctors think that you will be able to leave in a few days."

"The doctors...?"

"Ah, our patient is awake, I see."

Ilaria frowned as the nurse returned, bearing with no particular purpose apparent. The middle aged woman gave Maximus a blinding smile, and then fidgeted with the heart monitor.

Ilaria glared.

Maximus had been receiving EXCELLENT nursing care. She was more than a little jealous.

"How are you feeling?" The intruder asked.

Ilaria looked to Maximus, wondering if he had picked up enough Italian from their brief time together to guess her meaning.

He concentrated for a moment- paying more attention to the context than the words. "Bene." he answered at last.

Another smile.

"Well, it looks like your husband will be back to normal soon."

Ilaria blushed furiously, hoping that he HADN'T learned enough Italian to guess that one. She had lied to the hospital when she checked in so that she would be able to remain in Maximus' room during the night.

"Er...yes." She answered, pretending to straighten her "husband's " sheet.

"I'm glad.... the doctor will be making rounds soon... and then, of course, the police still want to speak with him."

"The police?" Ilaria gasped.

"Yes, of course.... about the stabbing."

Of course. Ilaria hadn't thought about the implications of bringing Maximus in for treatment. How would she explain away a giant dagger wound? They would be able to tell instantly that Maximus was not an Italian (thank goodness she had the foresight to register under an assumed name).

"I don't think that he his ready to speak to them today." She said quickly.

"Tomorrow, perhaps?"

By tomorrow, they would be long gone.

Few hours later, with a technique befitting a master thief, Ilaria slipped inside another patient's room and came out with some modern male clothes for Maximus, leaving in their place the money to replace them. Then, having taken note of the medications listed on Maximus' medical folder, she did the same with the nurse's room and returned with all the necessary drugs. She put everything in a plastic bag and went to help Maximus to get ready for their escape.

They waited till the last drop of IV medication was in his blood and then she gently freed him from the needles. Maximus tried to sit up and was able to do it at the third attempt, as the room stopped spinning. He was not discussing Ilaria's directions, he was too weak, and also she had told him everything about their 'jump' in the future. He was not sure he liked the idea but for the moment he had not enough elements to judge the situation.

When Maximus was finally able to swing his leg on the side of the bed, Ilaria helped him to wear the shirt she had procured for him over his bandaged chest and then she took away the sheet covering his lower body. The girl blushed crimson when saw he was naked and looked away; she did not remember the doctors baring him completely.

Maximus saw her gesture and smiled. "You should not be embarrassed by it. I am your husband after all." Ilaria became even redder when she realized he had understood the meaning of the nurse's words and tried to find an explanation. However the view of his smile and the awareness he was willing to joke after all had happened to him stopped her. She instead replied to his smile with one of her own before handing him the pants.

She bent down and laced his boots and then offered him her hand to help him to stand up. Maximus needed some minutes to stabilize in an upright position and then leaning heavily on Ilaria, they exited the room.

Luckily for them in the middle of the night the hospital hallways were deserted and they reached the secondary exit without being seen by anyone. Proceeding slowly, they walked until they came upon a stand of taxis where they stepped in a car and Ilaria gave the driver the address of Stephanie's flat.

During the run Maximus was quiet, his head resting on Ilaria shoulder, his eyes closed. The brief walk had exhausted him.

After twenty minutes they arrived. Ilaria paid the driver and then helped Maximus out of the car. He was very pale by now, his skin covered by sweat.

"Don't give up now," she urged him, afraid he might fall and open the stitches on his back. "We are almost there." Maximus squeezed her hand and managed the three steps leading to the building hall. Luckily the condo had a lift and they boarded it easily.

Stephanie was awakened by a sudden movement near her. She sat up on the bed and turned on the bedside lamp. In the light she saw Quintus looking around him with wild eyes. She reached out a hand to touch his shoulder and he almost jumped.

"Shh..." she soothed, "It's all right."

"I heard a strange sound," he whispered.

Steph concentrated and said, "I don't hear anything. It was probably a car down in the street."

Quintus looked at her. By now he knew that a 'car' was one of the strange chariots which moved without horses pulling them. He nodded and Stephanie smiled to him.

"Go back to sleep, you are safe here."

Quintus nodded again but as soon he put his head back on the pillow, the sound which had awoken him repeated. He bolted on his feet and said, "Did you hear it?"

"Yes," replied Stephanie, leaving the bed. "It is the door bell. Stay here; I'll go see who it is."

The girl padded to the flat hall, approached the door and called, "Who is?"

"Steph, open the door. It is Ilaria and Maximus," came the reply from behind the wood.

Stephanie unlocked the door quickly and opened it to let her friend and the wounded ex-gladiator enter. Maximus was leaning heavily on the girl, and she was struggling to keep him on his feet.

"We must put him in bed at once, I think he is about to faint."

"Let me help." It was Quintus' voice who quickly came near them and took Ilaria's place. "Tell me where I must take him."

Stephanie ran in front of them, opened the door near her own bedroom and turned on the light. Quintus, Maximus and Ilaria followed and the Praetorian gently lowered his former commander on the bed. As Ilaria freed him from his boots, Stephanie found some spare cushions and put them under his legs, to facilitate the blood circulation.

Quintus watched in amazement and worry as Ilaria rummaged in a bag and pulled out a small vial, pouring its liquid in a strange object with a needle. His stupor reached almost comical proportions as he saw the girl near Maximus, bare his buttocks and press the strange object against it, before stroking the flesh with force.

Ilaria turned after practicing the injection and saw Quintus staring at her, mouth agape. She smiled at him and said, "I did not hurt him, I only gave him a medication. We should see its effects within few minutes."

Quintus nodded with his head, not trusting his voice.

Stephanie noticed the strained expression on the Praetorian's face. "We should get back to bed." She said softly. He was clearly overwhelmed by the day, and a long, uninterrupted slumber was in order. "Ilaria can take care of Maximus."

Quintus nodded slowly and followed her back to her bedroom.

<beep> <Beep> <beep>

Stephanie's arm, swinging out of force of habit to reset her alarm clock for five minutes later, stopped in mid-air as the figure beside her sat bolt upright.

"What is it?" Quintus said urgently, clawing for the dagger that he had, against Stephanie's protests, insisted on placing beneath his pillow.

"Shhh...." Still groggy, she tried to still his hands. "It's only the alarm."

"The alarm for what? Fire?"

She sat up, fully awake now. "No. To wake me up. It's morning. I have to go to work."

"Work?"

"Yes. My job." She smiled. "Someone has to pay for this apartment. I'm an attorney."

"But-" the words died on Quintus' lips. There was no sense explaining the bewilderment he felt in the thought that a non-senator (a woman, much less!) could hold the post of attorney. It was merely the latest on a list of mysteries. Nothing made sense here. He felt childish and stupid even trying to understand. He would simply remain silent.

Stephanie seemed to notice the defeat in his eyes and took his hand in a gesture of reassurance. "I won't be gone long.... I have to check in at the office and pick up some files. I'll tell everyone that I'm going to review them at home and then come back here." She offered a warm smile. "We'll go sightseeing this evening."

He nodded silently again.

Wishing she could say more, she swung her legs out of bed and headed for the shower. Quintus lay back on the pillow, trying to concentrate on the familiar sound- at least basic plumbing had remained the same, even if the faucets and stoppers were more complicated then they had been before- and lose himself in sleep.

Ilaria arose just as Stephanie was preparing to walk out the door.

"Going to work?" She frowned, not really sure that she wanted to be left alone in the apartment with two men who, in their various ways, needed constant supervision.

Stephanie shrugged. "It's Monday." It had been a lucky coincidence, time in the future seemed to be moving only marginally slower than in the past. In this time period, the girls had been missing only two days. "I have to pick up some files on the contracts we want to close next week. I think that I can come home at lunch."

Ilaria nodded. "Would you like some coffee?"

"Yes!" Stephanie said enthusiastically, the caffeine deprivation of her trip to Ancient Rome had left her with pounding headaches, and an insatiable craving for her morning beverage.

"How is our patient doing?"

"Very well.... I think that he will be able to walk around some more today. I hope that, by tomorrow he will be able to go outside...." She paused, preparing for her next suggestion. "Stephanie, I do not think that it is good for them to be exposed to...." She could not think of an appropriate word, so she merely gestures out the window where crazy Roman traffic had already begin in a blare of horns and flashing lights. ".../this/ so quickly. Perhaps we should retire to the countryside for a while."

Stephanie nodded. "I think that you are right... but where shall we go?"

"My grandparents are in England." Ilaria said, noticing that her friend immediately noticed where she was heading.

"The villa."

"Yes. It will be vacant for two months. We could stay there without arousing suspicion, and letting the men adjust gradually.... as for your job... well, if you could take a week off until Quintus gets settled, you could take the train back and forth for the weekends if you had to."

Stephanie nodded. "It is an excellent plan..." She glanced at her watch. "Oh, no. I'm terribly late!" She frowned as she thought back to the delay she had encountered when Quintus had stepped on the Remote control and accidentally turned on the TV. "I will come back as soon as I can. Call if you need me."

"I will."

When Stephanie returned home for lunch, she found Quintus sitting on the divan, dressed in his full uniform, a book in his hand and a puzzled look on his face.

She smiled to him and said, "Hello. What are you reading?"

He showed her the title and she saw it was on the books in Italian about Roman History Ilaria had given to her.

"Did you find something of interest?"

"Many things. Too many news I am still trying to digest." Quintus let the book fall and rose on his feet, approaching her and Steph felt a pang in her chest when she saw his expression. He was trying hard to be brave, to be the man always in command of everything he had always been, but in his eyes there was a little-boy-lost look. She widened her arms and was relieved when he accepted her offer of comfort, even if that worried her a bit too because it was very unusual for a man of Quintus upbringing to seek help from a woman or to show weakness. They embraced for some moment then she asked, "Have you already eaten?"

"No, we wanted to wait for you."

"Good. Where are Ilaria and Maximus?"

"Ilaria was here until few minutes ago then she went to see if Maximus had awakened."

Maximus struggled into the blue jeans that Stephanie had bought for him on the way home, and pulled a soft, olive-coloured henley over his head. The clothes were loose- partially because she had little knowledge upon how to estimate his size, and partially out of recognition of the fact that, to men accustomed to wearing tunics, and loose fitting trousers, modern clothing would be unfamiliarly confining. She had also bought the men strange cotton garments like trousers with the legs cut out that were supposed to be used like loincloths.

The general sighed in frustration.

He had forgotten to put them on.

Gritting his teeth, and bracing himself from the pain in his side that began whenever he bent over, he unfastened the jeans and started all over again.

"Are you alright in there?" Ilaria called into the bathroom. She was waiting just outside, in case he forgot her instructions on using buttons and a zipper, and the many frustrated noises coming from the other side of the door were making her anxious.

"I am fine." Maximus said with determination. He pulled the little underpants on, and then struggled into the jeans again. At last, the door opened.

"Well?"

Ilaria felt her heart quicken. A few moments ago, she had thought it impossible, but Maximus seemed even more attractive in 21st century attire. Though she was sure it had been unintentional, Stephanie had selected a shirt almost the same shade as his eyes. His hair had been freshly cropped, and, after many nervous moments with Ilaria demonstrating a safety razor and scissors, his beard had been neatly trimmed.

"You look wonderful." She said, hoping that she didn't frighten him away with her enthusiasm.

He looked slightly reassured, and together, they emerged from the bedroom.

Quintus had not yet changed his clothes, he was still attired in the loose black tunic that had been fitted beneath his Praetorian armor. He looked Maximus over critically.

"What are we eating?" Maximus asked gamely, smiling in amusement at the paper sacks on the kitchen countertop.

"McDonald's." Stephanie announced, as though this word should have meaning for them.

"American food." Ilaria said, making a face. "Tonight I will fix you something edible."

Stephanie sighed, rolling her eyes as she reached into the sack and began passing out little paper containers of food. They were piping hot and smelled quite delicious.

"I didn't think that we were ready to start with knives and forks just yet." She said to Ilaria. "Here." She handed a Big Mac to Maximus, "You eat it with your hands."

"Bread." Quintus said, unwrapping his sandwich. He poked at the hamburger patty. "What is this?"

"Meat." Ilaria supplied.

"Cow." Stephanie elaborated further.

"And the yellow?"

"Cheese. Go on, eat it." She demonstrated, biting into her own sandwich with gusto.

Looking nervous, Quintus followed her example. There was a brief moment of indecision, and then he smiled. "It is good."

Meanwhile, Maximus had discovered the French fries. They were extraordinary- crispy on the outside, yet very soft in the middle. They had a delightful saltiness as well. He stuffed a handful into his mouth as he turned to Ilaria. "What does 'American' mean?"

"It means that it comes from the country that Stephanie is from, America."

Stephanie smiled as she listened to the conversation taking place around her. Ilaria was a very patient teacher, which was lucky, as her students had so much to learn. As the Italian explained the relative geography of Kentucky to the Italian peninsula, her friend began leafing through the newspaper. The front page was very boring. The EU was fighting amongst itself, and there had been another shooting in Palestine and.... she gasped.

"Ilaria!"

Something about her friend's strangled tone made the girl quit speaking mid-sentence. She followed her friend's finger to a point half-way down the page. She blinked in shock as well. The headline read: Ludus Magnus Stabbing Victim Disappears from Hospital. "It's about Maximus!" She said, in disbelief. She quickly scanned the article. "They think that the stabbing was related to a drug trafficking incident... they are looking for him."

"Oh no!" Stephanie said in alarm, both girls had subconsciously reverted to English so that their companions could not understand them.

"What shall we do?"

"We must leave at once...." Ilaria said firmly. "This evening."

The rest of the day was spent in preparations. Stephanie returned to her office and obtained from her boss a week of vacation -- it was not a easy task but she managed to have her way. Ilaria instead stayed home and after seeing that Maximus rested all the afternoon, phoned to the caretaker of her grandparents' villa and told her to ready the house for their arrival. After that she began to pack their belongings, followed as a shadow by Quintus. In the last day she had begun to change her opinion about the Praetorian maybe because, being in her own home ground, she was more sure of herself while him seemed more lost than even Maximus was. It was as if their positions had reversed and she could not help feel sympathy, knowing how he must feel.

Quintus watched Ilaria fill the suitcase with dresses, wanting to help but not knowing how. He had been informed they were going to leave Rome for a quieter place and the prospect was more than welcome. He hoped that a calmer atmosphere would be helpful for his nerves, enabling him to relax a little bit. The girls kept to tell him he was safe but he was feeling almost a prisoner in that house full of strange things. Also, he often felt on him Maximus' eyes and he knew a confrontation with his former friend was going to happen soon..... and he was glad Maximus had not carried weapons with him.

At six o' clock, the four boarded Stephanie's car and left Rome for Monghidoro, a little village near the city of Bologna. Ilaria sat near her friend in the front seat while Maximus and Quintus took the back seats. Dulled by the pain medication Ilaria had insisted he take, Maximus soon fell asleep, but Quintus remained awake, watching with a mixture of horror and fascination the landscape visible by the car window. He was also a bit frightened by the velocity of the 'car' but too proud to ask Stephanie to slow down.

The trip lasted almost 3 hours and after a little stop to retrieve the keys from the caretaker, they arrived to the villa.

Quintus and Maximus stepped out the car and looked at the building. "Finally something familiar!" They thought. The villa looked like a very beautiful Roman country house, stocky and solid. It was three stores high and all painted in white. The windows were protected by wooden shutters and a balcony ran on two sides of the building.

Ilaria opened the yellow and black iron gate and said, "Do you like it?"

"Yes." the two men said, before following her along the gravel covered lane surrounded by a well kept garden, with flowers, grass and pine trees. The climate was slightly colder than the Roman one and the air smelled of roses.

Maximus breathed it in, and the never forgotten smell of the Nature filled him joy. Quintus too absorbed the peaceful atmosphere as a thirsty plant drinks the water, and the two girls smiled upon seeing their radiant expressions.

"Tomorrow I will show the rest of the garden, but for this evening it is better if we go inside." said Ilaria.

They entered a veranda enclosed by glass before entering the house. Ilaria quickly showed them where the 3 bathrooms (one for each floor) were, and where the bedrooms were located: two on the middle floor -- where also were the kitchen and the living room -- and three at the upper floor. The living room was large and along modern things as the TV and the radio it also sported a stone chimney. The men seemed pleased to see it and Ilaria told them, "There is another one in a room down stair which I did not show to you. We call it the 'Tavern' and it is used when we have guests. I will show you tomorrow. Now it is better if we eat and settle down."

Ilaria began to struggle up the stairs with her suitcase, but Quintus scooped it away. "Allow me..."

She started to protest, and then she saw how deeply he wanted to- not just to help her, but to feel useful again, and so she acquiesced. "Very well. I will go to the kitchen. I have promised you a delicious meal." She turned to ask Maximus to help, but she noticed that he looked very tired. He was still not completely healed from his wounds. It must have been worse than she thought, because, when she suggested that he rest for a while on the couch, he quickly agreed.

Shrugging, Ilaria went to the kitchen alone, leaving her friend to assist Quintus with the bags and help him settle into his room.

On the couch, Maximus tried to clear his mind. He was happy to be here- the serenity of the villa was like cool water in a desert after the blaring bustle of modern Rome- but it was hard for him as well. The countryside, and the rustic house reminded him almost painfully of home. He had expected to see it at first, as they whizzed along the little lane that led to the building.

Thinking of home invariably conjured images of Selene and little Marcus, he felt his stomach cringe with guilt. Only few days before he had been lost in Ilaria's kiss, feeling as if she were the only woman in the world. He was starting to love her... but how was that possible when he still missed his wife so much. It was a troubling question, one that he did not wish to confront.

"Maximus?"

The general sat up with a start. The room he was sitting in was pitch black, and he could only barely make out the figure hovering next to him. "Maximus? Come to bed...."

"Ilaria?"

He rubbed his eyes.

"Yes. I am sorry to wake you, but you will be very stiff if you lie all night on the couch... come upstairs."

"How long did I sleep?"

She laughed. "Five hours... are you hungry? We didn't call you for dinner, you seemed to need your rest."

"No. I'm fine."

"Very well..." She took him by the hand, frowning as he abruptly pulled away.

"I can sleep on the couch."

"No. There is a bed for you..."

Ilaria led him along the hallway and gestured to an empty room. The bedspread had been turned down, and a pair of soft trousers, and another set of the strange, legless pants were sitting on the edge of the bed.

"I'll be across the hall if you need me."

His features instantly relaxed. When she had led him away, he had half-feared that she intended to share a room. He had not explored the house, and didn't know how many rooms it held. However, he did know that Quintus and Stephanie had been together the night before. He was worried that Ilaria intended the same...and while it would not be entirely unpleasant, his earlier thoughts prevented any enthusiasm for the idea.

"Thank you." He said politely. "I will call if you are needed."

Ilaria nodded. She almost leaned forward and kissed his cheek, but stopped a moment before. There was something odd in his demeanour- something she hoped was merely a symptom of his exhaustion- she would leave him be for now.

Quintus slept peacefully that night, though whether it was because he was simply exhausted, or because he was finally making peace with his surroundings, Stephanie could not tell....

The next morning as Ilaria showed the men the rest of the garden, included the orchard and the little kitchen garden in the backward of the villa, Stephanie went to the village to buy food and some items of interest for Quintus and Maximus, such some geographical maps and series of children books which explained in simple words and illustrations how cars, electric light, telephone and other modern things worked.

In the next two days things settle down smoothly. Maximus recovered from his wound and like Quintus began to show interest on understanding the new world they were. They were encouraged to ask questions, which don't come easily for such men. Protected by the safe and quiet atmosphere of the villa, they became a more autonomous, spending a lot of time outside, leaving Ilaria and Stephanie free to pursue other activities, namely their jobs. Ilaria returned to write her historical novel based in the Tudor England, and Stephanie refined the legal contract she was working on.

However it was clear not all the problems were resolved. Ilaria didn't seem to understand Maximus anymore. He had changed from the man she had known in Rome. He was silent, and he spent most of his time outside.

On the fourth day after their arrival, Ilaria saw him working in the kitchen garden. Hidden by a half closed window, she watched as he meticulously cleared the ground from the grass, leaving more space for the vegetables. From time to time he stopped, grabbed a handful of earth and sniffed it, before patting it back in place. He seemed happy to have dirt on his hands, and Ilaria smiled.

"You love him very much, don't you?" Stephanie's voice almost made her jump.

"Yes," she replied softly, it was useless to deny the evidence.

"Does he know it?"

"I don't know. I don't have the courage to speak with him. I... You know how shy I am."

"But I saw the way he was looking at you back in Ancient Rome..." Stephanie smiled knowingly, trying to cheer her friend up.

Ilaria made a bitter smile, "He has changed. He seems to be afraid of me.... Do you know, the last night we spent in Rome, when you found me, Maximus had begun to call me 'little one'..... I loved it, but he never said it again. I am frightened he hates me now..." Ilaria turned her head away, and brushed away her tears.

"What?! Why should he hate you? You saved him!" Stephanie could not understand.

Ilaria sighed, "You know his story.... and how he lost his wife and son. His servant, Cicero, told me he loved them so much they were his reason of living. I thought that maybe Maximus WANTED to die to join them in the afterlife.... and I did not allow him to do so."

Stephanie did not know what to say. Her practical mind wanted to reject that possibility as a romantic no-sense, but her heart was touched by it. She just hoped, for the good of her friend, that Maximus realized that life went on and that he could find happiness again, if only he gave it a chance.

"Is something wrong?"

"What?" Stephanie looked up from her laptop's computer screen, feeling as though her head would burst from staring at the small print on the screen. Nearby, on the little table where they ate breakfast were a stack of fax documents regarding changes that the clients wanted in the document by the next morning's negotiations. Quintus was looking at her with a concerned expression.

"You were frowning. I thought that something was wrong."

"What? Oh. No... I'm just... frustrated." She flashed a tired smile.

"Would you like to go for a walk? It is lovely outside."

"No. I'm sorry, I have to get this done... maybe later...." She was already reaching for the next document as she spoke, and didn't have time to see his face fall.

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"No. I'm sorry, there isn't."

Quintus sighed and started to walk away. He didn't understand why a woman as lovely and pleasant as Stephanie would want to spend the afternoon cooped up indoors writing contracts. True, she claimed that she had to work... but with all the luxury surrounding them (the number of clothes the girls had just to carry in their suitcases was enormous!) he knew that she must be very wealthy... And even if she wasn't, her father had been very remiss not to have found her a wealth husband by now.

"Could you get me another cup of coffee?"

He turned, following her gesture to the steaming pot of brown liquid that she had started to cook just before he walked into the room. He was confused by this substance. The girls seemed to drink it with every meal, and almost constantly in the early morning. It wasn't alcoholic- at least, not that he could tell, but he didn't trust it in some way... they spoke of 'needing' coffee in the way that drunkards rhapsodized over wine.

"Would you like to try some?" She asked, rolling her eyes as she perused yet another unreasonable contract request.

Quintus shrugged. Why not? At least it would give him an excuse to stay inside with Stephanie. "Very well."

"Milk and sugar?" She approximated the last word, there was no sugar in the modern sense in the Latin world- only honey and less refined syrups had been used as sweetening.

"Nothing. I want to taste it as it is."

"As you wish." Stephanie poured him a cup of coffee and watched a little amused as he sniffed the brown beverage before tasting it. The expression which appeared on his face while was priceless for Stephanie, clearly showed Quintus did not like the coffee. He tried valiantly to hid his disgust but failed miserably. She smiled and said, "Well, not everybody likes it."

Quintus nodded, grateful she was not offended and then started to leave the room. He stopped just in time to avoid Ilaria, who burst in the scene running, "I got a fabulous idea: why don't we go to visit the horses?"

"Horses?" said Quintus with interest.

"Horses?" echoed Maximus' voice as he appeared on her door.

"Yes. We own another, larger piece of land not very far from here and we keep some horses there." replied Ilaria, happy to see how Maximus' eyes shone. Seeing the men were more than glad to indulge her, she marched to the door and said, "Come with me."

The two Romans followed readily, a little bit surprised by her commanding tone, but Stephanie remained seated on the laptop.

"STEPH!" Ilaria's voice came from the stair, "What are you waiting for?"

"I am not coming, I have to work!"

"Oh no, my dear, you will come. It is beautiful outside and you won't spend all the day inside." The Italian girl returned in the room and approached her.

"Ilaria, listen..."

"No, don't "listen" me! You will come with us. Stop."

"In case you don't noticed, I am working!" Stephanie hated when her friend became too bossy.

"In case YOU don't noticed, I and Maximus are not the only two to have problems.... Quintus seems so lost to me... You must spend more time with him."

Stephanie sighed. She knew Ilaria's temper too well and she knew she could be stubborn as a mule when she decided something.

"Ok, I will come. I will consider you responsible if I get fired!"

"You won't get fired, but even if it happens, I can always hire you as.... as..."

"As what?"

"As my... cook? No, you would feed me only with McDonald's hamburger and American coffee." Stephanie glared at Ilaria, "Secretary? Yes, but sometimes your spelling is so lous...." Ilaria ducked her head as one of Stephanie's folders missed her face by few inches. She burst in laughter and said,

"Let's go! Our handsome men are waiting for us."

Twenty minutes later the group arrived to the stable. Quintus and Maximus stepped out the car and almost ran to the barn only to stop suddenly, a disappointed expression on their faces. The stalls -- beautiful by Roman standards and befitting the most precious horses of the imperial stable -- hosted four animals which did not seem deign to be there. Ilaria walked near the men and said, "Don't judge them from their appearance; they are more than you see." She began to caress the beasts one by one. "They are all former racehorses. Honest, brave animals which had only the fault of not being fast enough and thus destined to become meat. I saved them from the slaughterhouse, and now they are enjoying their retirement."

Maximus and Quintus nodded approvingly -- they could understand the desire to give to those warriors of the track the just repose -- and stepped forward to caress them, as Ilaria and Stephanie watched satisfied. As many books say, there are few things more relaxing than patting a responsive animal.

"What are their names?" asked Quintus.

"From left to right: Pepe, Maia, Solkir and Orazio."

"Orazio? As Horatius the poet?" enquired Maximus, raising an eyebrow.

"Exactly. What do you think about going out for a ride?" Ilaria asked, already sliding a bridle around the ears of the first horse.

Maximus nodded with enthusiasm. Since he was the largest, he chose the biggest horse, a dappled white and grey stallion.

"Quintus?"

The Praetorian looked at Stephanie. She frowned. "I'm not a very good rider... I'd rather sit here by the barn and watch. Ilaria frowned. She had noticed Stephanie tucking her laptop into the car. She could only guess what her friend intended to do as soon as they had left-- but at least she had come this far.

"Suit yourself."

She looked to the Praetorian again. He frowned; it was clear that he wanted to go riding, but did not feel comfortable with Maximus and Ilaria alone.

Sighing, but secretly happy to have Maximus to herself, Ilaria threw a blanket over the back of her mount, and gestured to Maximus where he could find equipment for his own. "The darker saddle fits best on that horse.... Quintus, are you sure you don't want me to go ahead and saddle a horse for you in case you change your mind?

Maximus and Quintus shared an amused grin. "I think that I know what to do with a horse." The Roman laughed.

Ilaria blushed. She had been prepared to explain to the pair about horses the same way she had taught them about everything else for the past few days, but, of course, they already knew.

"Very well. I have packed a picnic lunch, so we will return around noon to eat... is that all right?"

There were nods all around.

Maximus and Ilaria rode for several minutes in silence. The barn was merely a speck on the horizon now, and the horses had begun to climb up a little incline that led into the woods.

"I had forgotten how pleasant this was." the Spaniard murmured.

"Oh?" Ilaria said, wondering what he meant.

"Riding for pleasure...." he added. His face abruptly fell. Ilaria was puzzled.

"Is something wrong?"

"No.... I was just.... remembering my last ride...."

The ride across the Pyrenees and into Spain. He had gone as fast as he could, night and day, but it still wasn't enough. Selene and Marcus had still died. Selene.....

"Maximus!"

He hadn't realized that his eyes were clenched until he opened them again and saw that Ilaria had stopped her horse to stare at him.

"I...I'm sorry." He murmured again. He pulled his animal to a stop as well, loosening his grip on the reigns so that it could bend forward for a bite of cool grass. "I was thinking of my family."

Ilaria looked at her hands. Her heart seemed ready to pound out of her chest. So, her suspicions were correct... Maximus was not happy that she had saved him.

"No. It is I who am sorry." She said, her eyelashes already damp with tears. "I am the one who took you from them. You were so close... almost home..."

"I could see it." Maximus murmured in agreement. "I had almost touched the door when.... when...."

"When I pulled you away."

He thought about it for a moment, and then shook his head, leaning off of his saddle so that he could take the woman's hand.

"No. You did not pull me away. I was not ready to die. I had learned that life was worth living." He looked at her with an intensity that filled her with heat. "I learned that I could move on..."

"Could learn to love again." Ilaria completed for him in her mind.

"I feel as though I SHOULD have wanted to die." He explained. "That I am betraying them somehow by feeling better."

Ilaria could only nod. Luckily, the Fates had spared her from loosing someone that she loved. Barely.

Thinking of how close Maximus had come, she shivered.

"I am happy here," he said suddenly. The general seemed almost as surprised as Ilaria at having said it. "It is very strange, but very wonderful in many ways. I was sad, at first, to think that Rome was gone, but now I see how much of it has lived on... how so many tiny pieces have blended together to make something even more wonderful... change is not always bad, I suppose."

At last, Ilaria smiled. She understood that he was still struggling with his feelings. He was not ready to declare his love.... but at last she could see that he was close. He only needed time. Thankfully, that was a luxury they now had in abundance.

Nearby, time was not something that Stephanie had to spare, and she was despairing of ever meeting her deadline on the contract changes. She ought never have let her friend talk her into the outing. With Quintus hovering nearby, it was obvious that she would not get any work done at all.

"This would be an amazing tool for the army! " He said enthusiastically. "Imagine the amounts of information you could transport... troop profiles, maps..... and you would never have to worry about it falling into the wrong hands."

Stephanie nodded, then she demonstrated how the CDRoms could be interchanged to provide even more portability.

"Incredible. Perhaps, when I return, I will take one with me...."

"When you return?" Stephanie was so shocked that she forgot to warn him about batteries. "Surely you are not going back.... Quintus!"

Quintus sighed. He hadn't meant to bring this up, but it was becoming more and more apparent each day that he could not live in the modern world. Everything was frighting, loud, and fast. He felt useless and, more significantly, he felt stupid. He was tired of being spoken to as a child. Even Stephanie no longer looked at his as a man- in bed at night he received no more than a kiss on the cheek- she saw an interesting curiosity from the past.

"Yes. I must go back. This is not my place. Surely you see this."

Stephanie did not answer. She could see it clearly as well, but could not bring herself to speak the words aloud.

"I...." She sighed. She may as well say it. "I do not want to lose you."

Quintus felt his heart surge with hope for the first time in days. "Then come with me."

"What?!?"

"Come with me." He closed the lid of the laptop with a snap. "You were not made for this...." Seeing the look of indignation that came to her eyes, he quickly continued speaking. "I do not mean disrespect. I know that you are very intelligent.... very capable and hardworking... but you deserve more. Every day and night you toil in front of that little machine.... and for what? "

The American swallowed. He was right, of course, she had decided long ago that she found no joy in practicing law, but she had invested too much of her life in the training to try something new. She wanted nothing more than to find a little house in the country and tending to a garden and a great herd of children. If only....

"Come with me." Quintus said again.

It was crazy. Impossible.

"Please."

"Yes...." Her eyes were wide with fear at what she was committing to, but she knew it would be far easier to live in the past- where, at least, she knew how most things worked and had a basic grasp of the language- than in the future.

"There is a condition."

She frowned. "Yes?"

"You must marry me. I will not take you back to be my concubine."

"But I have no family.... no past....."

Quintus shrugged. "We will think of something. The main thing is that we will be together."

Maximus and Ilaria returned nearly an hour later. Both of them looked refreshed from their ride. They were eager to eat their lunch and explore another side of the property. "Will you and Quintus join us this time?"

"Certainly."

Ilaria quirked an eyebrow upon hearing Stephanie's tone. There was something different.... Not knowing where to point her finger, she shook her head and went to saddle the horse for her friend.

This time, instead of going in the woods as before, they traveled along vast fields of grass, where the horses were routinely freed. The atmosphere among the small group was very relaxed, and Ilaria noticed how Stephanie and Quintus were affectionate to each other. She was happy to see that, in the last few days, even if she had been lost in her own misery, she had noticed a bit of cold in their relationship, but now thing looked decisively better.

Ilaria hoped a major closeness between the pair would help Quintus to adapt to the modern world: in fact she was a bit worried about his lack of progresses.... He still jumped every time he hear the phone ring or saw a plane pass over his head. Maximus, on the contrary, looked at the new things with curiosity and had even learnt how to use the TV, although he still preferred to spend his time outside among the trees. Maybe his brush with death had really 'prepared' him to accept a totally different life.

"Hey, what is it?" Stephanie's voice attracted Ilaria's attention.

"What?"

"That rock formation near the far-end of the field." Stephanie pointed the direction using the tree branch she was using to send away the flies. "Oh, that is what remains of a stone cave. From here it seems little but instead it is very deep has miles of galleries"

"A fascinating place..."commented Quintus.

"Too fascinating, especially for children playing the pirates in search of the gold.... My parents had it blocked before we could wander inside and get lost." Ilaria smiled remembering the many adventures of her childhood.

Maximus and Quintus were excited about the prospect of exploring the cave, but Stephanie begged them not to. She did not like crawling around in damp spaces, and amused the general very much with her declaration (in reponse to his statement that she was not a nature-lover) "I like nature very much, I simply don't want it to touch me."

Instead of spelunking, they returned home, and ate a simple meal on the porch of the cottage.

"I can see why you said what you did about the stars." Quintus remarked, looking heavenward. In spite of the fact that they were in the country, the light pollution from the nearby city of Bologna obscured all but the brightest stars. "If you had not seen them before, you would not know how many you had missed."

"No. I would not know a lot of things that I would have missed if I had not traveled into the past.... Oh, Quintus, are you really going to take me with you?"

"Yes. I am really taking you with me, and I am really going to make you marry me as well."

"But what will we do?"

"Do?"

"About Commodus' enemies... if time is moving forward there as it did here, they will have control of the city by now. You will be a marked man."

Quintus set him lips in a very firm line. "I have a plan... I have been reading the books that you gave to me... they explain very carefully how Septimus Severus took power. I know the man... well, he is hardly the man I would pick to be emperor, but you could do worse...." He thought of Commodus and frowned. "We HAVE done worse, very recently.... still, I think that I can make him trust me. We will have to be very careful for a while, but we will manage."

Stephanie nodded.

"What are the two of you speaking about so secretively?"

They both spun around at Ilaria's voice, looking very sheepish. They hadn't yet told their friends of their plans, anticipating that they would not be well-received. "Oh...nothing...."

"Well, if you are speaking of nothing, would you mind helping me in the kitchen?"

"What? Oh, of course." Smiling briefly at Quintus, Stephanie scrambled to her feet and returned inside.

Quintus remained where he was. He was so intent on perfecting his plan, that he did not hear Maximus coming up behind him.

"You certainly look distracted."

Quintus' back stiffened.

"Scheming again?" The voice was challenging. Both men knew that the confrontation that they had been avoiding for many days was finally about to occur. Quintus slowly rose to his feet and turned to face his former commander and friend.

Maximus was staring at him with his arms crossed on his chest but his gaze was cold, not murderous. They looked at each other long and hard and in the end Quintus lowered his eyes, but he remained silent. What could say? 'I am sorry'? Sorry I betrayed you and had your family killed?

"Why?" Maximus' low voice cut the air. It was just a word but it contained thousand of questions.

Quintus looked at him. He could have lied, told Maximus Commodus had forced him, but instead decided to tell the truth.

"I was jealous of you, Maximus. Of your position, of your having Marcus Aurelius' confidence, of your family."

"What?" Maximus was almost speechless.

Quintus began to pace, disgust clear in his words, "Yes, I know it is a futile and vile reason, but it is the truth. You don't know how difficult has been for me to live in your shadow, to see you achieve with ease all the goals I was never able to even approach. You, the provincial eques, had everything I, the senator's son, had not."

"Why have you never told me something? I would have understood, Quintus, really..."

"Tell you something? And read pity in your eyes as I am reading it now? No, I was too proud to do so. But to be too proud, even if it an asset in battle, can kill you in everyday life. My resentment increased, everything you did angered me and in the end when Commodus offered me the power I yearned for, I did not think twice. I grabbed my chance."

Silence fell in the room until Maximus asked, "Why did you help me in the fight against Commodus?"

"I helped you because I had to give you the chance I denied you in Germania. And because in the months spent serving Commodus, I realized to be a commander is not an easy task. And I understood my jealousy for you was wrong: all you had obtained in life was because you deserved it. I could not repair all the wrong I did to you, but I could at least help you to gain your revenge." Suddenly Quintus broke and said, "Oh Maximus, I am sorry! How I wish your family was never punished! I can only imagine what you suffered.... the mere thought of losing Stephanie is unbearable, and she is not even my wife....I..."

Maximus swallowed loudly and then sighed. He was not really ready to forgive Quintus but at least he could see the man had suffered the consequences of his actions. "Quintus, stop. What is done is done: I won't seek revenge against you. I just hope you learnt the lesson and we will never speak of this again." Maximus waited for Quintus to acknowledge his words with a nod and then bowed his head and walked away.

And behind the kitchen closed door Ilaria and Stephanie sighed with relief.

Ilaria and Stephanie left very early the next morning. Since both women were going (and since they did not really trust Quintus and Maximus alone with the vehicle) they took the car. The trip was long, but pleasant. Each girl spoke in excited tones about the amazing changes that had taken place since they had made the same journey only a week before.

Stephanie completed her business quickly, leaving her boss- the partner in charge of overseas contracts with his mouth hanging open at the nonchalant way that she announced that she would not be in for the rest of the week. Afterwards, the girls went to Ilaria's publishers and collected the gallies of her new book.

"You certainly are acting rather cavalier about your job." Ilaria remarked, as they ate lunch at a little shop downtown.

Stephanie merely shrugged. "I don't really care about it very much anymore."

"Well that is very good... but the pair of you are going to have to eat."

"Yes... well Quintus will provide for us, I am sure."

Ilaria tried to suppress a snicker. Maximus could earn his keep as a farmer, but Quintus was so bewildered in the modern world that she could not think of a single occupation that was even plausible for him- much less possible. Added to that, he was not accustomed to taking orders. He would not be a very good employee.

"Do you really think so?" Was all Ilaria managed.

The girls finished eating and went to Stephanie's apartment. Ilaria watched in confusion as the girl packed all of her jewelry, her glasses, several pairs of contact lenses, and other small personal items into a small suitcase.

"Do you need so many things for a trip to the country?" Ilaria joked, pointing to the necklaces.

Stephanie sighed. There was no use keeping it a secret any longer.

"No... but I may need them in Rome... Ilaria, Quintus and I are going back,"

"What?!"

"I saw what you were thinking earlier, and you were right: Quintus will never make it here. Things have changed too much, and he loved his life in Ancient Rome. "

"But what about you? Can you live in such a backwards place?'

"Ilaria!" She laughed, well aware that Ancient Rome was her friend's favorite period of history. "It is not backwards. Quieter, perhaps, but clean... the villa is very lovely. I know that I will be happy there. And life will be very peaceful, knowing what is ahead."

Ilaria was dumbstruck. "But, your job...."

"I am tired of my job. I am tired of getting up every morning wishing it were time to sleep, and dream again. I can be happy in Rome... Quintus and I will have a family, and I can stay at home and watch them grow."

She noted the look on her friend's face. "Yes, I know. You disapprove. The feminist deep inside of me is ashamed for my feelings as well, but I cannot stop them. I really want to go. I don't want to lose him, Ilaria. I don't want to lose this chance."

Ilaria sighed and nodded. There was no point in arguing, really. She would make the same decision in her friend's place. There was no place that she wouldn't follow Maximus, though she shuddered at the sudden thought that he might want to go "home" without her.

Stephanie loaded her cats, Brutus and Portia, into the car. "Will you care for them while I am gone?" Ilaria nodded. Housecats were hardly common pets in the Ancient City (for real Romans anyhow), and, at any rate, the names Stephanie had chosen would hardly be popular under the emperors.

She nodded.

Stephanie smiled gratefully. "Thank you. I am also going to turn over my bank account to you... I will get a cashier's check made out to "cash" so they cannot trace the money. I don't want anyone to think, when I have disappeared, that you murdered me and stole my money!"

Ilaria grinned at the prospect.

Stephanie continued to chatter on about her plans while Ilaria looked over a newspaper she had picked up in town.

"Oh, no!" She gasped.

"What is it?" Stephanie slowed slightly, traffic going out of Rome was difficult even when one's attention was not distracted.

"Look!" Since her friend was driving and could not look, Ilaria simply read aloud:

The city police have petitioned the government for permission to open the archeological site known as the Ludus Magnus to search for further clues into the Ludus Magnus Stabbing. The stabbing victim, a man checked into the Central Hospital as Massimo Calipari, disappeared two days after being discovered by a tourist bleeding on the grounds of the former forum. Two other persons, dressed in period costume, were seen fleeing the scene.

The city police believe that the trio were are part of a large drug smuggling operation which uses tourist facilities- where large congregations of strangers would not be unusual- to complete their illegal transactions.

Because the Ludus Magnus is a protected historical monument, the Police cannot disturb the site without a special waiver from the government."

Ilaria put the paper down.

"What if they find the tunnel!"

"I know... and how could they avoid it?" Ilaria said, visibly upset.

"And even more importantly, how will Quintus and I ever use it to return... provided that we CAN return. I am sure that they are watching for us."

Ilaria frowned. Things were getting more complicated by the moment.

The girls returned to the villa sooner than predicted. As Stephanie parked the car, Ilaria entered the building and went in search of the men. A rapid tour of the house told her she was alone and so she stepped on the balcony -- which had a great view of the garden -- and looked around. A sigh of relief escaped her as she saw Maximus and Quintus walking side by side in the grass, their heads bent together. Ilaria began to smile, happy to see they seemed engaged in a pleasant conversation but her grin disappeared as fragments of their sentences arrived to her carried by the wind. "...I know Septimius Severus well.... he is a provincial like me.... not problem at ... will follow him closely.... gaining his trust..." The wind changed direction and the voice became silent but for Ilaria it was enough. Her vision of Maximus talking and Quintus nodding blurred because of the tears in her eyes. Ilaria was devasted: Maximus was planning his return in Ancient Rome along with Quintus! He did not want to stay with her in the future! And she knew she could not leave with him, since she was not alone as Stephanie was. She had a family to care for and duties to perform.

Quintus and Maximus were now approaching the villa, and having noticed her presence, they waved to her with their hands. With a show of dignity Ilaria replied to their gesture before entering inside. Stephanie was in the dining room checking on Internet if there was more news about the Ludus Magnus stabbing and seeing her friend's pale face she asked, "There is something wrong?"

"No... I... I don't feel very well.... I think something I ate today at lunch made my stomach sick. I think I will go to bed now without eating."

Stephanie looked at her critically, then nodded, keeping for herself the thought her friend was upset for their conversation. "OK, don't worry, I will cook for the men."

"Thank you." Ilaria turned to leave and almost collided with Maximus' chest.

The general saw at once her pale face, "Are you all right, Ilaria?" he asked gently.

Hearing the concern in his voice almost broke her. "Yes... I only nauseous... I will see you tomorrow." And she almost run out of the room, followed by Maximus' worried eyes.

Darkness had fallen on the villa and, curled up on her bed, Ilaria was crying desperately, so wrapped in her grief that she did not hear the door of her bedroom open nor the soft steps nearing her. The big hand that touched her shoulder made her jump with surprise. Ilaria turned on the light and her eyes met Maximus'. He was kneeling near the bed, and he whispered gently, "Why are you crying?"

"Because I will soon loose one of my best friends and when I will be back in this house, I will be alone, with only memories to keep me company." Ilaria brushed away her tears.

"Alone? So I count nothing for you?" he sounded a bit wounded.

Ilaria sat up quickly as her heart began to pound. "What?"

"I will be here with you, little one, you won't be alone."

"But.... but I heard you speaking with Quintus in the garden... you were planning your return in the past..."

"I was planning HIS return in the past. I have no reason to come back... My only chance to be happy again is here, little one." They stared at each other eyes and just before their lips met, Maximus added, "You are my future, Ilaria."

They kissed long and slowly for many minutes. Then they separated, Ilaria threw back the covers, shyly inviting Maximus to join her. He smiled again, kissed her on the tip of her nose, and turning off the light, accepted her offer.

Ilaria did not know how to tell Maximus that it was her first time, but he seemed to know, instinctively, to treat her with gentleness. His hands moved over her softly and possessively, telling her with his every touch that he had chosen to live only for her. She did not doubt that he would still have his moments of sadness, but they would be fleeting and brief. This night would be a new beginning for both of them: he would release his guilt, and she would conquer her fears.

Together, they would face the world.

Ilaria was shocked by the beauty of his body. She had always suspected the definition of his muscles and the power of his build from the manner in which he wore his clothes. Exposed to her, however, the effect was nearly breathtaking. She could scarcely believe that the events of the past two weeks had not been a dream, that this perfect moment was not the culmination of her slumbering imagination and that, all too predictably, the morning sun would awaken her before its completion.

But she did not wake up. Maximus made love to her, touching her on more than a physical level. When it was over they held each other tightly, smiling, a little bit embarrassed, but too giddy with the excitement of finally being together to release each other even a little.

They talked throughout the night. Maximus wanted to marry her! "Do they still do that sort of thing nowadays?" He had asked, and she had laughed at his innocence.

"Yes."

She felt as though her heart would burst with happiness as her mind sped forward to think of how she would share her news with her family and friends, wondering what her parents and grandparents would think of her Maximus, and how in the world she would explain his sometimes awkward mistakes.

"Ilaria?"

Without thinking, Ilaria came instantly awake and sat up at the sound of her friend's voice. Stephanie had entered the room to fetch a pair of sandals that Ilaria had borrowed the morning before, and she did not notice, until she saw the embarrassed flush on her friend's cheek, that the Italian woman was not alone.

"Oh! ... I!... I'm...." unable to mumble an appropriate apology, Stephanie merely seized upon her shoes and scurried out of the room.

"Well." Ilaria began apologetically, turning to Maximus. "It looks as though our secret is out."

Maximus tightened his grip around her waist and pulled her closer. "It's not a secret."

Ilaria sighed happily and allowed him to nuzzle her neck. Her mind was whirring with questions: When would they get married? Where would they live? What would her last name be? - but she quieted them for now.

It was very late when they finally came downstairs. The breakfast dishes had been washed and were drying next to the sink. A note tacked to the refrigerator informed them that their friends had gone into town again to buy some of the supplies that they would take with them back to ancient Rome. Ilaria had cautioned them about attempting to carry anything at all into the past- there was no telling what they might change, but Stephanie had persuaded her to think that a few concessions should be made. A lifetime without chocolate was too horrifying a prospect for any woman to face, and so she had assembled enough Perugina Cappucino Chocolate bars (allowing her to indulge two vices in one bite) to mark the milestones of her life, and to sate any truly unbearable cravings. She had also decided to bring two of her favorite novels- 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'A Room with a View', on the theory that, even if it were discovered, no one could read a book written in English anyhow. Quintus had packed a Roman history book as well. There was much more than she longed to take, but there was no room- she could bring only what she could carry, and it was more important to take the jewelry and items that could be bartered or sold in the event that Quintus' possessions had been proscribed, than it was to bring items of sentimental value. The pair had not discussed when they intended to return to the past, but everyone sensed that it must be soon. No one could tell when the police would receive permission to search the building. As much as they hated the thought of destroying a piece of history, they all knew that the Ludus Magnus would have to be destroyed to prevent anyone else from using the tunnel.

The day of departure finally arrived and with a sense of finality Ilaria, Maximus, Stephanie and Quintus boarded the car and traveled to Rome. The plan was to spend a day or two studying the Palatine hill, to see how and where the police were watching it.

Luckily for the group, the Italian Police were slack in the assignment and the archeological site was deserted during the night. Also, an exam of the beginning of the tunnel shoved that the walls were already badly damaged: no great effort would be necessary to make them crumble.

The last two days spent together were bitter-sweet, especially for Stephanie. On one hand she was excited by the prospect of beginning a new life with the man she loved and in one of the most fascinating historical ages, on the other she was a bit scared by the path in front of her, because there was no way back. She was also sad to leave Ilaria but felt a certain relief knowing her friend would not be alone: since the morning she had discovered her and Maximus together, the relationship between the pair had strengthened greatly. She was sure they would lead a happy life but sad she would not be able to attend their wedding, as Ilaria could not attend her own.

Finally the night of the farewell had arrived.

Stephanie and Quintus checked again the two leather bags containing their belongings, then loaded them on the car. Together with Ilaria and Maximus they reached the Palatine hill: it was already dark and the car proceeded slowly with the light turned off so they did not attract unwanted attention.

When they reached the beginning of the tunnel, Maximus and Quintus took out of the car a long steel chain and wrapped it securely around a stone pillar, then tied the other end to the car: the plan was to pull away the pillar and let the wall crumble as soon as Quintus and Stephanie reached the wooden door on the other end; to signal their arrival the pair would use a portable flashlight, to be left behind in the tunnel.

At last the men returned. "It is finished." Quintus said softly. He took his Praetorian's helmet out of the trunk of the car and slid his sword into its scabbard. He offered Stephanie his hand. "Are you ready?"

"I-" Stephanie took a step forward, and then began to cry. All of her doubts and fears seemed to tumble free at once. Quintus blinked in surprise, and then he hurried forward to hold her. He knew too well how hard it would be to leave her home. He wished that there was another way for them to be together.

"I... I'll be all right." She stuttered through her tears, she was embarrassed for the outburst.

"It is okay." Quintus soothed, brushing her hair away from her forehead and kissing it softly. "You are right to be afraid. We have no guarantees of what we will find on the other end."

She nodded.

"Ilaria..." Her friend stepped forward, and Stephanie gave her a tight hug. "I will miss you so much! I will think of you every day!"

"And I you." Ilaria squeezed Maximus' hand, suddenly worried that she would begin to cry as well. "But, I think that you are making the right decision."

"You must remember me at your wedding."

"I will."

"I wish that we could send you a present."

"You already have!" Ilaria blushed. Stephanie had given all of her belongings in Rome to her friend. "I wish that we could do more for you."

Stephanie swallowed, fighting the second round of tears that threatened to fall. "It was beautiful, wasn't it?"

Ilaria knew without saying that she was thinking of her new home. "Yes. Very beautiful. You will be happy there."

"Ilaria!"

There was a sense of urgency in Maximus' voice, and both girls swung around at the same instant. In the distance, a police car was making its way through the deserted Palatine.

Quintus took Stephanie's arm.

"We have to go." He met Maximus' eyes. They did not speak- at least not aloud, but their look communicated courage one to the other as they had so often in battle.

"Strength and honor," Quintus murmured.

Maximus nodded sharply. "Now go."

Quintus and Stephanie ran for the tunnel as Maximus and Ilaria sped for the car. Ilaria watched over her shoulder as her friend hesitated at the tunnel entrance and then, fear in her eyes, followed the Praetorian inside.

The police car was getting closer.

"Do you see the light yet?" Ilaria asked nervously.

"Not yet."

Closer.

"Maximus!"

"What if we can't see it? What if the light will not transmit from one side to the other?"

Ilaria swallowed. It was possible... it had certainly been long enough for them to make it down the little tunnel....

"It is almost here."

Praying silently that her friend was all right, Ilaria slammed on the gas pedal and sped away. Behind her, there was a deafening crash as the crumbling facade of the Ludus Magnus tunnel collapsed in clouds of dust.

The police car turned on its lights and siren, but could not follow. It squawked impotently on the other side of the pile of rubble.

Ilaria drove as fast as she could through the streets of Rome, taking a thousand turns, barely able to see through the tears that veiled her eyes.

"Stop." Maximus said, at last. "Stop. They can't find us." Ilaria nodded slowly and pulled the car into a space on the edge of the road. She collected her belongings, then double-checked to make certain that there was no sign of her having been there. It was Stephanie's car. They would abandon it.

Maximus and Ilaria walked to a taxi stand, and then went to the station to catch their train. They were very quiet, not quite knowing what to say.

"Do you think they made it?" Ilaria asked, when they were finally home.

"I don't know." Maximus answered truthfully, wishing that he could offer more comfort than the strength of his arms.

EPILOGUE - 3 years later

It was a beautiful summer day when the phone rang, shattering the peace of the villa.

Ilaria went to answer, "Yes?"

"Ilaria? Francesco here, I am sorry to bother but could you come here as soon as possible?"

"There is something wrong?" she asked to the chief of the workers who were building a new stable in her farm.

"No.... but while excavating a hole for the new foundation for the barn, the found some kind of walls... They seem ancient ruins to me and since you are an expert and, of course, they are on your land I wanted you to inspect it before we go on."

Ilaria approved, "Well done, my husband and I will be there soon."

The conversation complete she went on the balcony and called, "Maximus!"

"Yes?" come his voice and she looked down to see him walking slowly in the grass holding the hand of their son, Massimo, a dark-haired, blue-eyed 15 months old boy. Ilaria smiled to her two men and said, "Francesco has just called. He told me they found some kind of ancient wall on the farm land and wish for us to go there and have a look."

Maximus' eyes shone with curiosity. "Just give me a minute." He picked up Massimo and entered the villa.

Few minutes later, having handed the child to the care of the house-keeper, the pair boarded the car and drove for the farm.

When they arrived they found Francesco waiting for them. The grey haired little man was excited, "Oh, thank God you are here! After I call you there was a crumble..... and the earth gave way to a hole...Ilaria, a room has appeared! I think there is a house buried down there!"

The trio almost ran to the site of the excavation. The workers were all gathered around the giant hole, some of them were lying belly down in the dirt, peeking their heads to see better.

As the general he still was in his heart, Maximus evaluated the situation at once and began to issue orders. "We need a ladder and a lot of electric torches to lightened the place." As the workers scurried away to find the items requested, Ilaria and Maximus knelt down and peered in the hole, squinting their eyes in the futile try to see something.

"It is useless, we have to wait." They dropped to sit cross-legged on the dirt, exchanging looks and Ilaria lost herself again in his eyes. She was so happy with Maximus that sometimes she could not believe it. All was perfect in their life: they had a beautiful, bright son, her family had accepted Maximus without reservations and the book they had written together, a novel called 'In this life or the next' which basically told Maximus' own story, had been a bestseller in many countries, making them more then rich and allowing them to realize their dream to breed horses.

"Are you still with me, little one?" her husband gentle voice recalled her to reality.

Ilaria smiled, "I was only thinking about how lucky I am to have you."

"No more than me to have you, little one." They shared another smile and then stood up as the workers returned with the torches and the stair.

Few minutes later Maximus went down inside the ruins to examine them before allowing Ilaria to join him. With a cloth in front of his nose to avoid to breath too much dust, he walked slowly here and there, pointing the flashlight beam against the walls. It did not take much time for him to realize he was standing in what remained of a rich, luxurious Roman villa. His heart began to race as he saw items from his past and then it almost stopped as the torch lightened a portion of the wall. Regaining his breath he returned to the starting point and shouted, "Ilaria come down please!"

He didn't need to say it twice; Ilaria was more than eager to join him. When she was down she asked, "Found something of interest?"

Maximus nodded and led her to the wall, lightening it for her.

Ilaria gasped when she saw the painting. It was a fresco, the colors dimmed by time but the drawing was still detailed. It portrayed a family. A rich Roman family composed by husband, wife and five children. Ilaria turned to look at Maximus, asking silently if she was imaging everything but his smile showed her it was not a dream: she was really looking at the portrait of Stephanie, Quintus and their five -- FIVE!!! -- children, two girls and three boys who looked as miniature copies of their parents.

Ilaria felt tears of joy pool in her eyes: in the past three years she had wondered about her friend's fate and now finally she seemed to have gotten her answer. Probably Quintus and Stephanie bought the land where now was her farm, knowing she one day would have owned it and left her a sign of their life together. As that thought crossed her mind, she began to move her torch to light the ground and she saw a tattered leather bag posed against the wall.

"Maximus!" she called

They bent down to examine it, before gently open it and inside they found a letter, written in Stephanie's distinctive hand. The letter had been put under plastic -- Ilaria remembered her friend taking away a kit to do so -- and thus it had survived.

My Dear friend:

I hope that this letter finds you happy and well. So much has changed since we last spoke, but I have kept to my promise in thinking of you every day.

Are you happy? Are you still young and beautiful? Is Maximus adjusting well? There is so much that I want to ask you, but since I shall never have the luxury of a reply, I shall tell you of my life instead.

Our first few days were very tenuous. As you know, there was a struggle for power. Quintus, as Prefect of the Praetorian, was a marked man. However, we took Maximus' advice and fled to the country. I was sad to leave the villa- it was so peaceful and perfect!- but safety was of paramount important. Quintus installed me in a little villa near Genova, before going abroad to meet with Septimus Severus, and to inform him of the "hunch" he had that he was the man meant to rule Rome. Installing him to power was not easy. However, with Quintus' help, it was accomplished. We were able to return to Rome with more money and security than we had ever enjoyed before- and the patronage of a sane emperor for a change!

But, you can read about that in your books. I am more interested to tell you what has happened to me. Quintus kept his word and married me shortly after our return. It was a small, private ceremony. Considering my lack of parents, we considered that it would be best to tell everyone that he had married me long ago in Germania and assumed that I was lost forever in the final battle. In the confusion surrounding the succession, no one questioned the lie. Our daughter, Clara was born a year later, and Titus and Appius shortly followed. The birth control pills, like the chocolate, did not last as long as I had hoped- we have another daughter, Clarilla, and son, Lucillius, as well, but I cannot complain. My life has been quiet, but happy.

Not long ago, we decided to quit the city entirely. Quintus is getting very old, and the big house seemed too quiet with the children gone (Titus is in the senate, while Appius and Lucillus have choosen the army like their father. The girls are both married, with children of their own! Me, a grandmother, can you picture it?!) so we transferred in a villa we used only for vacation, a property in the north.

How do you like what we decided on? I wasn't sure that it was the same at first- the lay of the land has changed so dramatically. Or, more properly, perhaps, it hasn't changed yet. At any rate, I knew it was the same when I found the cave. Do you remember the one I am talking about? The cave that we almost explored in the week before we returned to Rome? Go to it if you find this letter- I have found you a wedding present after all.

Wishing you all happiness,

Stephanie

Ilaria brushed away tears of joy and then hugged Maximus hard, wanting to share her happiness with him. They kissed for many minutes then decided to go to investigate the cave to see what Stephanie and Quintus had left to them.

They had barely stepped out the hole, ready to answer to the thousand of questions from the workers when Ilaria's cell phone rang.

Rolling her eyes -- she hated that thing but she wanted to be always reachable in case Massimo might need something-- she opened it and said, "Pronto?" Before quickly switching to English.

Maximus watched interested as wonder and excitement replaced curiosity on his wife's face and waited patiently until she finished the conversation.

Ilaria put away the phone and turned to look at him, "You would not believe to your ears...."

Maximus tilted his head, inviting her to go on.

"It was a guy from America. He had read 'In This Life Or The Next' and he wants to know if he can buy the rights of the book .... he wants to do a movie from it!"

"A movie? And what did you reply?"

"That I need your opinion. He said he will call back.... His name is David Franzoni."

Hand in hand, husband and wife began to walk to the cave, wanting to see Stephanie's gift, when suddenly Maximus stopped, a big grin crossing his face.

"What now?" asked Ilaria

"Nothing special, I was wondering about the actor who will portray me..."

Ilaria smiled, "What about Antonio Banderas? He is a Spaniard too."

"Or Mel Gibson, he was quite good in 'Braveheart'...."

"Or Tom Cruise....No, he is not the right type..."

"And what about that Australian actor...you know the one of 'LA Confidential', you said he reminds you of me......"

Ilaria and Maximus disappeared in the cave and their voices stopped as they saw.....

THE END

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