Warning: just some minor mentions of war and minor innuendo.

***

Ana was desperate to know what that piece of parchment that Acacius received said. Although she couldn't be certain of what it said, whatever it was, it clearly had angered Acacius and that wasn't usual for him. He was usually so..stoic and whatever that parchment proclaimed, Acacius was deeply unsettled by it.

Ana knew Acacius had retreated to the bathhouse to relax. She assumed the offending letter was in his private quarters. If she hurried, she might have a few moments to take a look before he returned to the main house. She quickly ran up the stairs, looking both ways, and not spotting anybody, she slinked down the hallway, slipping into Acacius' room.

Immediately, Ana went straight to the stand, opening it, but nothing was in there. She closed the door, turning, her mind spinning, trying to figure out where Acacius would have put that letter. She spotted a end of parchment, poking put from underneath the pillow and whipped it up, seeing the parchment lying there.

As she reached for it, the door flew open and Ana flopped the pillow back down, spinning around. Acacius entered, wearing a plain white tunic, his expression suspicious.

"Were you searching for me?" He stepped closer, the scents of the oils he'd used in the bath radiating off his hot skin. The smell was making Ana a little dizzy with desire. She pasted a smile on her face. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to douse Acacius' suspicion.

"I was," Ana replied, stepping away from the bed, clasping her hands together, hoping that Acacius wouldn't notice them trembling. Acacius' expression darkened.

"Do not lie to me. I know what you were searching for and it wasn't me." Ana's cheeks burned. Damn him.

"You're troubled," Ana murmured. "I simply wished to understand." Acacius scowled. He wasn't bending. Ana stretched out a hand, her fingers softly caressing Acacius' chest. Immediately he stiffened beneath her touch.

"You're being stubborn," Ana snapped. Acacius just gestured for her to leave. Damn him. He wasn't going to break. Ana wondered if she dared mount him, if his resolve would crumble then. Doubtful. She sighed, moving to leave, but Acacius stopped her.

"Yes?"

"Would you still like to visit Rome?" He asked a little gruffly. She smiled, nodding. Acacius face relaxed.

"Very well, we'll leave at first light tomorrow morning." Ana's smile turned into a grin as she moved to hug Acacius. This time, he relaxed underneath her touch, gently kissing her forehead.

"Thank you." He actually chuckled.

"Don't thank me yet. You may end up cursing my name once you've endured the madness of Rome." Ana smiled.

"Never, my general. Never."

***

Acacius re read the letter that Lucius had penned to him. He'd been receiving more alarming reports from the other side. Lucius feared they only had days to prepare for a massive war that would throughly cripple Rome, should they not be properly prepared.

He swore under his breath, his eyes fluttering shut, his head bent. He ached to have Ana ravage him now, simply so he would have something other than bloodshed clouding his head. But she was sound asleep, unaware of his inner turmoil, nestled cozily in her bed, hopefully dreaming about her first official visit to the city.

Acacius felt a stab of guilt in his gut. While he was planning on showing Ana the city, he was only doing as a cover to secretly visit with Lucius, without arousing too much suspension. Naturally, Ana would find out and chastise him for it, but he would handle the consequences when they presented themselves.

He sighed, folding up the parchment and replacing it beneath his pillow before lying down. He wouldn't put it past Ana to try and sneak into his quarters in the middle of the night, snatching his letter. Acacius allowed himself a brief smile. She was indeed a minx, stopping at nothing when she wanted something.

Acacius thought if Ana had been born a man, she would have made an excellent soldier. She allowed nothing to stand in her way when she made up her mind. However, her stubbornness and recklessness often drove her to make the wrong decisions, hence, her stealing the bracelet and thinking it was a good idea to try and run.

He shook his head, drawing the blanket up over him as he stretched out. Acacius leaned over, blowing out the candle on his stand before settling down. As he stared into the darkness, another troubling thought assaulted him.

He knew that Lucius was bound to meet Ana and the very thought filled him with anxiety and dread. Not that Lucius would harm Ana in any way, but Lucius was still an attractive man and Ana a beautiful woman. Would there be attractive there? Would Lucius be able to tempt Ana away from him? More troubling yet, would Ana consider such an offer?

It was true, things had shifted in Acacius' favor, with Ana becoming more and more trustful of him. She no longer balked at his advances. Rather, of late, if anything, she seemed to be encouraging them more often than not. Acacius wasn't complaining, although there were times when Acacius thought he should...offer Ana her freedom.

He sighed again, tossing and turning for a while before a restless sleep overtook him, dreaming about what he often dreamed about anymore: war.

****

Ana was awake long before the sky began to grow light. She hurriedly dressed, then packed a bag, since Acacius thought they might be in the city for a few days. While Ana was terribly excited, there was some trepidation swirling within her as well.

She'd already figured out that the reason they were heading to Rome, was because of whatever was written in that letter Acacius had received the other day. She wasn't so stupid that she couldn't have guessed.

Ana opened her bedroom door, noting that Acacius' door was already open as well and he was gripping his own bag. Ana smiled when he stepped into the hallway. Acacius smiled back, as he took her hand and together, they went down the stairs, setting aside their bags before going to eat a quick breakfast before heading to the city.

"Eat up," Acacius told Ana as they sat and the cook brought in some food. "It'll be a long journey. With luck, we should reach Rome before evening."

Ana nodded, keeping her gaze on Acacius, curious if he was regretting his decision to ask her along.

"Would you like to meet the emperor?"

"I'd like to," Ana responded. "Unless he'd rather not meet me."

"I'm certain he could spare a few minutes of his time to meet you," Acacius replied, keeping his tone neutral. Ana studied Acacius. Although he was desperately trying to cover it up, he was clearly ill at ease with her meeting the emperor.

"Good," Ana replied, finishing the remains of her breakfast. She pushed her plate away. "I've always been curious about him."

"I suppose that's to be expected," Acacius murmured. "Seeing how I've often spoke of him." Ana nodded. She was dying to know why Acacius was radiating uneasiness, but she recalled the conversation they'd had several days ago before Acacius had gone to Rome. How one needed to watch their tongue in the presence of the emperor.

"Is he so formidable?" Ana questioned. Acacius shook his head, chewing the last of his own food, before standing, extending his hand to Ana, who readily accepted it.

"Not so much." Acacius hesitated. He wasn't certain how much he should say to Ana about Lucius. "He's quite..different from the other emperors," he added lamely. Ana frowned, but chose not to press the matter. Besides, she'd see for herself, soon enough, what the emperor was like.

****

They reached Rome just as the sun was beginning to set. Ana was indeed in awe of the place. So many people! And they were all doing different activities. Several appeared to be coming or going from the many temples scattered across the vast city. There were multiple stalls, and their proprietors, haggling with their customers.

Ana saw several different kinds of animals. Several were tethered to posts or carts, some were roaming free, while others were being led away by those who'd just purchased them. She looked through wide eyes, trying to keep her horse close to Acacius,' as he expertly maneuvered through the thick mob of people, darting this way and that.

Ana looked around, quietly taking in everything going on around her. When she faced forward, she immediately caught sight of the palace. She gasped. She'd never seen a building so grand before. It appeared to almost touch the sky, it was so vast and large. Acacius reined in his horse, where several Roman soldiers were gathered.

He dismounted, quietly speaking with one of the soldiers before hurrying over to assist Ana down. She clung to Acacius as he swiftly lifted her down. He smiled, taking her hand and leading her up the many, stone steps, which led up to a covered corridor and beyond that, some doors, which led inside the palace.

Ana was trembling and for the first time since she'd arrived here, wished she was back at Acacius' villa. She clung desperately to Acacius' hand, as he led Ana inside. Several more soldiers were here as well and greeted Acacius, paying no attention to Ana. Acacius was cordial, as usual, still holding tightly to Ana's hand as they made their way into what Ana assumed was a throne room.

There was a small gathering of people, standing off to the side. Three older men, a woman, who appeared to be around Acacius' age and a handsome young man. When the younger man caught sight of Acacius, his face broke into a grin. Acacius released Ana's hand, moving to greet him. Ana was curious about him. Acacius turned, smiling, beckoning Ana closer. She obeyed.

"My emperor, Lucius, I present to you, my lovely companion, Ana de Luca." Ana gasped. This was the emperor? He was so young and...handsome. He took Ana's hand, kissing it, bowing his head respectfully.

"It's a great honor to meet General Acacius' companion. I am Lucius Verus Aurelius, the emperor of Rome."