Titus Pullo, son of slaves, a freedman, soldier of Rome and now resident of a new world sat in the passenger seat and watched his new comrade and General, Maximus Decimus Meridius. In the beginning he had watched him covertly, with suspicion and fear of treachery. But within moments it was evident that, should the gods require he cross worlds, Maximus was the only man walking the earth who could show him the way. Great sacrifices had been made on the General's behalf to assist in Pullo's comfort and understanding. Within the mere passing of a moon, he'd learned to speak a new language, use eating utensils, grasp (although not clearly understand) new mores and attitudes and survive the scrutiny of others. He dressed differently, used a spotless privy, spoke quietly and thought before opening his mouth. In other words, Maximus had taken him from being a babe lost and alone on a raging Roman street to a passable citizen of the twenty-first century. Not a small feat.

But Pullo hadn't learned these things from the instructions the General gave him. There was another level on which he learned. It came from a place of comprehension about his new teacher and friend. Titus Pullo recognized Maximus from the soul out.

They were traveling back to Rome where they would stay for two days after which their journey to America and Vermont would commence. Pullo found little comfort regarding the mode of transportation, aboard a flying ship high above the earth. But his trust in Max had grown immensely and there was nothing the General would ask of him that he would refuse. Pullo was grateful for the quiet two days ahead. He'd learned all he'd need to know about the strange world around him for the time being. It was now time to learn more about Maximus.

That evening they dined in the room, Max increasingly sullen and Pullo clearly aware that his press of humor would not lighten the mood. He hummed quietly and pushed food around his plate. People of this era ate far too much, they ate too often and they ate food of strange flavors. It appeared Max's appetite was also low. Pullo topped the wine glasses and leaned back in his chair. Outside the window, beautiful, twenty-first century Rome glowed with a million lights. He groaned and watched Max. The General radiated with discomfort and Pullo's curiosity had reached its peak.

"Max," he said, turning the wine glass on the linen tablecloth. "Tell me more of your family."

Finally, a small smile pulled at the General's lips. "As I'm sure you know; it is a strange family. The men I call brothers, are not as familial brothers, not as the comrades we have fought and risked our lives beside. We are all very, very different, Pullo. All from different times and realities, different places."

"Are there any like us?"

Max's head shook slowly. "There is a sea captain, Jack Aubrey. He lived in the early eighteen-hundreds. He is the closest but you do realize, even you and I are far, far apart, brother."

Pullo nodded, determined to keep Maximus talking. "And the others?"

"There are many. Some contemporary to this time, some from other eras. But we are all the same, all in a place where without each other; we might be lost and alone. Most had lost much when they came here."

"Like who?" Pullo sipped red wine and licked at the corner of his mouth to gather an escaped drop.

"John. Brother John owns the Inn we will visit in Vermont. He had lost his entire family when he crossed into this world. A wife, three small boys. Zack had lost a son. Jack, a wife and three children. Many had lost much, but acclimated well."

"This sea captain, he's doing well too?"

Max nodded, watching the lights glitter outside the window. "Jack has found his way, Pullo. He is building a ship similar to those of his time and will sail the world. And, even though his letters deny it," a grin brightened Max's face. "Jack has found love."

Pullo nodded. "How have the others … acclimated?"

Max shrugged and didn't answer. Pullo rolled a shoulder and slouched further in his chair. "Tell me of the women."

"The women?" The General's brow rose and a menacing glare was lowered onto Pullo. "These women are off limits, my friend. These women are not for play."

"Why?" Pullo was grinning. Of course he understood the dynamic of family and respect, but Maximus was regaining the color in his face, something Pullo believed to be a positive sign.

"Why? Must I explain everything to you? These are the wives and lovers of my brothers. They are…special."

"Name one and tell me why." Pullo's grin had widened to a full smile and Max chuckled.

"You mock me, Pullo."

"No, General. I goad you into telling more. Name one and tell me what makes her so special."

"All right. We shall start at the Inn. John's wife, Riley. A tiny thing, intelligent, kind. Spiritual. Pullo, she will see right through you the moment you arrive."

"Unnerving!" Pullo gave a mock gasp.

"She's loving and good. They are well suited for each other and have been through much heartache." Max had fallen silent, his eyes off in the distance.

"I see, she is special. And John has found comfort with her? Even after losing all he had from before, he is now happy?"

"Yes."

Pullo sat straight and watched Maximus carefully. "General. Tell me. Why were you at the Coliseum?"

Maximus blinked then leveled a severe scowl. He stood to walk away but Pullo's next words brought him back to his seat.

"You do not strike me as a coward, General Maximus."

"I am not."

"Then why were you in that place?"

Pullo watched Maximus blink back a tear that seemed to surprise the General. With a brusque wave of a hand and the growl of an injured animal, Max shifted in the chair. "Enough of this. It is late and we have much to do tomorrow."

"Maximus. Why were you at the Coliseum?" Pullo's voice was soft, his question a painful demand but still Max did not answer. Perhaps he could not.

Pullo stood and lowered to his knees before the sitting General. "Then I will tell you why you were there. You have reached your limit with this world, have you not Maximus? You are unhappy and you are alone. There is no love to hold you here. You have left work that you should have retained, I fear. Perhaps that was your purpose, Maximus."

"It was not, and this is not your concern, Titus Pullo."

Pullo shrugged but watched his friend's eyes closely. "You may be right. It might not be my concern, but I am asking. Did you leave your employ for the wrong reasons?"

Max rubbed his tired eyes and sighed. "No, I had very good reasons, my friend."

Pullo nodded. "Were those reasons based on the fact that you would be gone from this world? And quite possibly be dead in the other?"

Maximus said nothing.

"Why were you at the Coliseum?" Pullo spoke softly his hand tight on Max's forearm. "Had you chosen to leave this world and die, General?"

"Yes." It was a whisper that rumbled through Pullo's chest like a storm. He leaned back on his legs and blinked.

"You could not go back."

"The portal was closed to me. There is nothing to be done about it and nothing to discuss."

"Oh General, but there is. The gods have denied you that return because you are too important here. You do have love to hold you. Those brothers, their wives and lovers; they would be lost without your guidance, Maximus. It is not important what time you come from, my friend. You bring something that is timeless; inbred honor, dignity, strength, compassion." His huge hands cupped Maximus' face. "You are Dominus. We are all your responsibility, but we will all love and honor you."

Max was silent.

"Maximus, you are a man mourning the loss of his family, a man much like your other brothers. We will stand by you and you will…acclimate, General."

"What of my needs, Pullo?"

"Name your need," Pullo stood, glaring down at the General. "Name it and I will get it for you. I would give my life for you, General. Name your need."

A sad grin pulled at Max's lips. "I do not require your or anyone's life, my friend. It is done. I cannot return. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to farm. To live a simple life among my grapes and my olives. It is what I will do."

"What we will do, Maximus."

Max chuckled.

"What? I can learn to plant and make wine. How hard can that be?"