Warning: Mentions war.

****

Ana stirred, feeling Acacius' arms wrapped securely around her. She smiled, rolling over and studying his achingly handsome face as he snored. A giggle escaped from her lips as she snuggled in closer to Acacius' warm body. He stirred slightly, though did not awaken. Ana knew he'd been up later than he should have, but she supposed it had to do with being here, in Rome and in the palace.

Ana raised herself up on an elbow, fighting against the urge to began kissing Acacius all over his weathered face. She knew he desperately needed the rest and wasn't going to risk waking him up just yet. She managed to wriggle away, getting up and moving to relieve herself in the bucket, set in the corner of the room.

Unfortunately as Ana was just finishing, Acacius stirred, bolting upright, a panicked look on his face until he saw that Ana was all right.

"Something the matter?" Ana returned to the bed, snuggling up against Acacius, drawing the blanket up over them.

"No." Acacius slipped his hand behind Ana and absently began caressing her back.

"You looked frightened," Ana commented, shivering as Acacius' expert hands roamed her back.

"Just for a moment, I thought..." Acacius trailed off.

"That I was gone?" Ana prodded and Acacius nodded, looking weary.

"Yes." Ana remembered Acacius warning about being among the wolves, here in the palace. She was becoming to wonder if Acacius had made a grave mistake in agreeing to bring her along.

"Is it really so dangerous here?" Ana asked, her fingers trailing along Acacius' graying beard. While his face was tender, relaxed, Ana didn't miss the hardness in his dark eyes.

"It is. It's not a place where tender lambs belong." Acacius seized Ana's hand, kissing her fingers.

"I'm not so innocent." Ana's tone was sharp. "I lived through losing my family and being taken away from my homeland."

Acacius sighed, releasing her hand. Ana snatched it away, scowling. "Of course." Acacius' tone was gruff. "However we've had this discussion before. You weren't a product of this poisoned world. You did not grow up around the whispers, lies and destruction that comes with living as a royal."

Ana bit back a retort. Perhaps she wasn't familiar with this particular place nor had much experience with it, however, she wasn't as naive as Acacius thought.

There was a sudden, loud banging coming from the other side of the door. Ana stiffened as Acacius climbed out of the bed, hurrying over, unlocking it and cracking it open. There was some low murmurs between Acacius and whoever was on the other side. Acacius nodded, slamming the door shut and moved to began dressing.

"Is something the matter?" Ana asked, her heart rate quickening as she, too, climbed out of the bed. Acacius didn't reply. He simply dressed, hurrying over to the door. He paused.

"Stay here." Ana blinked at him, her heart lodged firmly in her throat. Something awful had happened; she was certain of it.

"Acacius?"

"Stay here!" Ana fell back, clutching her tunic, eyes wide at Acacius' tone. His expression softened slightly.

"I apologize. But please, just stay here, all right? Someone will be along shortly with some breakfast." Acacius opened the door and was gone. Ana sat down, hard on the bed, biting her fingernails and wondering what was happening.

****

When Acacius entered the room, Lucilla was there, her pretty face screwed into a deep scowl as she paced furiously in front of her son, who was sitting there, looking like a child who'd just been scolded by his parents.

Lucilla stopped her mad pacing, turning on Acacius, storming over to him, her eyes filled with rage.

"You knew about this, didn't you?"

"I beg your pardon, my lady," Acacius said stiffly. "But should you seek the answer, I must first know the question."

Lucilla scowled harder, her lips twisting into a vicious frown.

"The war, that could sweep through Rome, taking away the only thing I love most in this world!"

"You mean, besides Maximus Decimus Meridius?" Lucius couldn't resist snapping, lifting his head, glaring ferociously at his mother. Lucilla flew to him, slapping him forcefully across the face, the sound echoing in the room.

"Don't you dare speak about what you don't know!" Lucilla's voice had went shrill, her cheeks coloring slightly. "He would be ashamed to know that his son was as cunning and wicked as his uncle!"

Lucius rose up, glaring at his mother, advancing upon her, driving her back. Lucilla's face went pale. Acacius decided to step in.

"My emperor, perhaps we should focus on the impending war and you and your mother can discuss your private, family matters at a later time?"

Lucius halted, stepping away from his mother, whose color was just now returning to her face. He looked at Acacius.

"Mother was the one who summoned you," Lucius said, his tone flat. "I do not need another man in my life, telling me whom I should serve. I serve Rome and none other."

Acacius bowed his head respectfully, stepping back. Lucilla had sidled behind Acacius, as though should her son decide to strike her, hopefully Acacius would be able to stop it.

"Shall I go, my emperor?" Acacius asked humbly. Lucius nodded and Acacius quickly exited the room. Lucilla had appeared to regain some of her strength as she faced her son.

"You're dismissed as well." Lucius didn't bother looking at his mother. He knew the truth, had for a while now. It still made him angry. He knew that his mother meant well by sending him away, but it still stung, knowing that he'd had to live his life the way he had.

Not to mention, losing his true father that he'd hardly known.

Lucilla stepped tentatively towards her son, hand outstretched. Her earlier rage had cooled and just for a moment, she recalled that young, happy boy whom she loved more than anything in this whole world.

"Lucius," Lucilla murmured. His head whipped around, the rage plain on his face. Lucilla faltered.

"I said, you're dismissed!" Lucilla lowered her arm, turning away, tears threatening as she slipped silently from the room. Lucius seized a chair, dashing it against the wall, roaring out in agony and rage.

Immediately, his shoulders slumped, as the tears came fast and hard. He despised this place and began to wonder if he'd made a grave mistake in accepting this position.

****

Ana jumped when Acacius entered the room. She was just finishing up some eggs, toast and tea that a servant had brought half an hour ago. Acacius came, settling himself down beside her, reaching for some eggs and began to eat.

"What happened?" Ana immediately started badging him. Acacius remained silent, eating, his mind on what he just witnessed between the emperor and Lucilla.

"Acacius!" Ana snapped. "What happened?"

"It's was nothing." Acacius replied shortly, continuing to eat. Ana frowned. He was lying. She could always tell when he wasn't being honest.

"You're lying," Ana accused, her eyes narrowed. Acacius sighed.

"It was a private family matter," he murmured. "Nothing you need concern yourself with." Acacius set aside the empty dish, looking over at Ana and noticing that she wasn't properly dressed. He smiled fondly.

"If you're finished with breakfast, I shall take you out and show you the city." Ana nodded, moving to get dressed while Acacius drank some wine.

"I'm finished," Ana announced and Acacius stood up, taking her hand and leading her out of the palace.

"What if the emperor has need of you?" Ana enquired as they made their way down the stone steps.

"He can wait," Acacius replied absently. He had a strong sensation that Lucius wouldn't have need for him until much later in the day. Right now, he longed to do as he promised Ana; show her the great city of Rome.

***

Ana was in awe of everything that Acacius showed her in the city. It was magnificent. She'd never, in her entire life, seen anything as this city.

Of course, there were a few things which put Ana off somewhat. She wasn't fond of the large crowds of people, always pushing and shoving. The market was an interesting place. However, Acacius had quietly warned her not to accept anything from anyone, regardless of what they said.

"Unfortunately, many of the proprietors are as crooked as the tax collectors," Acacius explained. "Naturally, they're trying to make a living, as many should do. However, occasionally they'll use dishonest tactics to sell their wares."

Ana had only nodded, as she was beginning to feel somewhat overwhelmed by this place. Acacius took notice and led her to a less crowded area, closer to the city walls.

"This place, is...is it your..home?" Ana asked quietly when they were on a nearly deserted road, which led out of the city. Acacius' expression softened.

"No," he said softly, stopping and holding Ana by the waist. "You are my home." Her eyes widened. She wasn't certain she'd heard Acacius correctly.

"I...am?" Acacius nodded, drawing Ana closer and pressing his lips to her forehead.

"Yes. Wherever you are, that's my home." Ana felt herself relaxing in Acacius' arms, her earlier anxiety melting away.

"I'm pleased," she murmured. Acacius took her chin in his fingers, leaning in and giving her a gentle kiss. He smiled tenderly at her.

"I know it's too much to ask, hearing you say the same of me," he murmured. "But perhaps one day, you shall." Ana just nodded. While she had grown terribly fond of Acacius, she still wasn't sure what her true feelings were towards him.

"I..I...am fond of you," Ana murmured. Acacius smiled again.

"That's all I'll need to know at this time." He took Ana's hand once again, leading her back towards the palace. Ana noticed a large, circular building that seemed to have been built without a roof.

"What's that place?" She asked, pointing. Acacius stiffened slightly. Ana waited for am explanation.

"The...Colosseum," he answered quietly.

"What's it for?" Ana pressed.

"Unholy things happen in that place, Ana," Acacius murmured. "It's nothing that you would like." They hurried past, heading straight to the palace. Ana was baffled by Acacius' response. She turned around, suddenly hearing the roar of a crowd.

"Is it some kind of entertainment?" Ana asked. Acacius shrugged.

"If one could refer to it as such. But it doesn't matter, because you're never to enter that place."