Maximus rushed the flight arrangements, accepting the layover in Los Vegas and reserving a room for the night. He needed to talk with Sophia. She was not handling the events with Bridgid well and he owed her an explanation.

She slept fitfully beside him on the long flight from Vermont to Nevada and it wasn't until they were settled in their plush room at the Treasure Island Hotel, (a place far more suited to Captain Jack Aubrey than Maximus Decimus Meridius), that he attempted to talk. He sat on the bed and tugged her to stand between his knees. His hands caressed her perfect hips and he sighed.

"Sophia, my love. I am sorry to have caused you so much concern, but there was no choice on my part."

"How?" She sighed, freed herself to thump down beside him. "How can there be no choice? Max, you had willingly, knowingly placed yourself in grave danger. I was so afraid, so very afraid for you. Afraid I would never again see you alive. Even though they all told me you would return unharmed, I can not tell you the terror I felt. How could there be no choice? Have you no responsibility to me? To remain safe and alive?" A tear glittered in her eyes.

"There was no choice Sophia, for should I ever be in need of Terry's assistance, I can assure you that he would be there for me."

She was silent a moment. "Is there a possibility that I could be taken hostage, Max?"

"Oh, my dear one! Never in life! I will never allow such a thing to happen to you. Never. But knowing Terry's heart, his commitment to Bridgid, I could not stand aside and refuse assistance. I simply could not."

Her head nodded slowly.

"But there is more you must know, my love. Much more."

"Then you must tell me." She turned and crawled onto the bed, propped her back against the headboard and waited.

Maximus told her all, told her carefully, slowly, watching every expression as it crossed her eyes. He told her of his crossing from a far away and long ago world to the one he now inhabited. He explained his unhappiness and desire to return and how he came to find Titus Pullo.

"And now, Antony," she groaned, walked to the window and watched the spectacle far below as crowds gathered for the pirate ship performance.

"Yes, Sophia. And now Antony. Somehow I have been given the responsibility of helping these soldiers to acclimate. To find comfort and work in this strange time."

"Are you responsible for everyone, Max?" She asked without turning to him. "For Terry and his wife, for whoever travels through that … portal?"

He was silent for he was certain his answer would not please her. In fact, at that moment, he felt his heart deflate, for surely his confessions had destroyed what they had built together. But he would not give up easily.

"And what of the next time you leave me?"

"Sophia. I can assure you that I can never return through that portal, it is closed to me. I am meant to remain here and now. I will not leave you, my love."

"And what of the next time someone you care about faces a kidnapping, Max? Will you run to their aid?"

"I will, Sophia. My family is large and confusing. It is displaced and dysfunctional. But I will always stand by them," he groaned, positive that he had ended his life with her with just those few words.

But Sophia turned from the window. She lifted a booklet from the small table and flipped through it. "Then we have no choice, Max. We must marry and we must marry now. For if you ever leave me again, I must be assured that you will return to me … that I too am your family and that you will stand beside me."

He slowly stood, smiled wide but took the booklet from her hand. "We will wed, my love, but it is not necessary to do so immediately; for I will remain with you, beside you, forever. We have much to deal with, Sophia. Your father. The vineyard."

"And our brutal houseguests. What are we to do with them, Max?"

Maximus groaned, rolled his neck. "Pullo has come far and learned much. Antony may take some time, but soon enough they will leave to begin their own paths in this world. I only ask your patience with them."

"And what if I wish to deal with none of our difficulties? What if I wish to toss all our troubles to the wind and marry you this very day?"

He enrobed her in his arms and kissed the silky back hair on top of her head. "You deserve better, my love. A big feast to celebrate our union."

"I don't want a big wedding, mio amore. I don't want crowds around me. I only want you, Max. You are a man worth having and loving forever … and I wish forever to begin this very day. Look," she reached for the booklet. "We can marry in one of these chapels. Of course I will need a new dress … and new shoes … perhaps some flowers to hold … but nothing more. Just your vow to love, honor and cherish me all the days of your life."

He kissed her sweetly, caressing her mouth with his lips. "But your father, Sophia. Your mother and sisters. Do you not wish them to be a part of this?"

"My mother will be thrilled and she will visit us soon. My sisters are probably on their way from Rome to see me and meet you. My father … he will take longer … much longer to accept our love. But I can not hold my heart at bay to appease his ego. I will not."

Max laughed. "And what shall I say should a daughter of mine feel the same about me?"

"You will have nothing to say, as I will set her straight so quickly her head will spin. Max, you and my father are like the sun and the stars. Never in my life have I seen my father reach out to help anyone. Never. You, my love will be an amazing father to any daughter or son we are blessed to have."

"Ah," he rocked her in his arms. "I see. But even a selfish father has a heart, Sophia. I do not believe that you are so willing to break your father's heart."

"I am not; I am attempting to bring it to life. He will see our love and commitment. He will see and he will change. After all," she kissed him softly. "Only a few hours with you and I had changed. You are capable of that."

They married that very evening, Sophia wearing a lovely satin dress she said reminded her of her namesake, Sophia Loren. Maximus was unfamiliar with this Loren woman, but his woman looked stunning in the gold shimmering fabric and small, netted hat. Red roses in her gloved hands and shoes that made her legs look longer then possible. Many things came to light during the brief ceremony, her willingness to sacrifice all for him, and his all encompassing love for her. But things about the ceremony also confused him.

After he had kissed his bride, the strange man dressed in a shiny suite and cape swept Sophia up and kissed her deeply. Maximus took her firmly from him and glared.

"Who is that man?" he asked as they left the chapel. "He looks like brother Colin, only much less likeable."

Sophia chuckled. "That was an Elvis impersonator, Max."

"Why would a man named Elvis impersonate Colin O'Brien?"

She laughed all the way to their room and through their lovemaking. They both fell asleep quickly and rose early for the flight to Sonoma.

***

"You must carry me over the threshold," she announced at their door.

"Must I?" his eyes glinted playfully.

"Yes, mio bel marito."

"Si, mia bella moglie, as you please," he hummed, kissed her madly. "My beautiful, beautiful wife." And he dramatically swept her from her feet … and over his shoulder.

Sophia laughed, "You are a caveman, Max!"

But Maximus stopped just inside the living room and set her on her feet. There, Pullo was running a soft cloth over a glowing new coffee table and Antony quickly turned from sliding a bookshelf against an obviously freshly painted wall.

"Ah," Antony said, lowering his eyes humbly. "Welcome home." Pullo opened his mouth but Antony raised a hand to quiet him. "My lady, I am made to understand that you would be most unhappy should your home be … not quite as you left it. I do apologize to both you and Maximus, but with Pullo's help, we have reconstructed things as best we could. I take full responsibility for those items destroyed, but I feel we have replaced them adequately."

Antony, Pullo and Maximus watched silently as Sophia circled the room, fingered the new bookshelves, new coffee table and new television. She reached for the wall but Pullo cleared his throat.

"Ah, sorry, Sophia. The paint is still wet I think."

"Why is there wet pain on my wall, Titus Pullo?" Max hid his grin, seeing clearly what the others were not. Sophia was most certainly enjoying herself intimidating their rowdy houseguests.

"Um, love … the plaster needed repaired … and the entire wall needed to be repainted, according to the man at the paint store, and … hell Sophia, we just tried to correct things the best we could."

"Uh, huh. I see. And why did things need replaced?" She glared directly at Antony, noting the fire in his eyes. Needless to say, a man of his standing was not accustomed to answering to a woman.

"Again, I take full responsibility, my lady," he said as respectfully as any man could say through clenched teeth.

Sophia smiled a brilliant smile and hugged Antony around his neck. Over her shoulder, his eyes shot to Maximus with apology. Maximus shrugged.

"And you!" She turned and slapped Pullo's chest. He feigned pain then grinned. "Not bad, not bad at all. At least our houseguests are respectful … even if a bit like mad bulls, husband. I will go change and begin dinner," she kissed Max and left the men alone.

"Husband?" Pullo gasped. "You married Sophia?"

"Are you mad?" Antony asked under his breath.

"I am not mad, and I did marry her."

"We must celebrate, General!" Pullo clapped Max on the back as Antony gathered the paint splattered drop cloths they'd hidden behind the sofa.

Max's head shook. "I fear you two have celebrated enough. Antony, I wish to speak with you in the courtyard. And Pullo, would you please call for Sam Garcia. We will need to meet with him later this evening. Perhaps after dinner." Maximus left, Antony following with a scowl.

***

It was just before sunset, the courtyard garden alive with scents and softening light, the sprinkle of the fountain and the call of night insects coming to life. Max cleared his throat and invited Antony to sit on the wrought iron garden chair across from him. "General, I wished to speak with you as I had little time before leaving."

"No need to welcome me," grunted Antony, feeling on equal footing with another man for the first time since falling through time.

Maximus grinned. "I welcome you anyway, Antony. You and I, my friend, we have much in common, but there are many, many differences. You have just arrived and - "

"I wish to speak of this business you left to assist with," interrupted Antony as he reached for a goblet of wine Sophia had kindly offered. She did not join them, as the look on her husband's face was clear. He would inform her later of his success or failure, she was sure.

"I thank you, my dear," Max said softly.

"Yes, thank you," grunted Antony and his brow rose as Max chuckled. "I was asking, General Maximus. Tell me of this work you do."

"Did, Antony. I no longer do this work. I only offered assistance. My … brother's … ah … a close friend …"

Antony waved him off and gulped wine. "Pullo has explained these strange relationships. Go on."

"My brother Terry's wife was taken hostage."

"And the ransom?"

"That Terry assassinate a certain man of financial and organizational standing in the Middle East. This is a very political world, Antony and - "

"It seems no more political or treacherous that our worlds, General. Am I to assume that the mission was successful?"

"It was. The woman was rescued unharmed, the assassination was averted, and the criminals all but stifled … for now."

Antony nodded. "I will do this work, General Maximus. Where shall I begin?"

Maximus did not show his amusement. He formed a soldier's scowl and proceeded. "This will not happen quickly Antony. I do understand your desire to do this work but there is much to learn before you can follow this path. You must acclimate to the life, to the culture and society of this time and place. You must work on your speaking and understanding, your abilities to read and write English is vital. And technology must be comprehended."

Pullo joined them, dragging a chair noisily close and grunting a greeting.

"And so," Antony growled. "I must begin at the bottom."

Max sighed. "General, with all respect I must tell you, this will not take long unless you fight it. I have been in the exact same situation. So has Pullo. I was forced to learn. And I too chose a field of work similar to that of a soldier. Gratefully, there was a business within the family and I had the best of teachers. Antony, there are new weapon skills, new procedures, new politics. But you are as always, a brilliant man. This will not take very long at all. But …"

Pullo chimed in. "But! Ah yes, my friend, there are always the 'buts'. You see, with so much to learn and unlearn, you will spend many sleepless nights confused. The biggest lesson I have learned is to always remember to stop and smell the roses," he grinned wide and gulped beer from a sweating bottle.

"If that means what I suspect, Titus Pullo, you have always known such," grunted Antony, turning again to Maximus. "I care little about the smell of roses. In fact, I currently care little about women. I swear, my robust appetite for them has been squelched, having met several strong willed females along my journey here … and of course … your wife."

"That too will change," chuckled Max. "General, you will have Pullo and myself to assist you at every turn. And in two weeks time, Terry and his wife will be joining us here. We can then make a proposal of employment with his company, Thorne and O'Leary."

"His wife? Is she not prostrate will emotion after her experience?"

Pullo guffawed. "Bridgid? I should think not."

"Ah, yet another strong willed woman I presume. How do you cope with this?" Antony marveled.

"You will find there are great benefits, my friend. Bridgid is not only strong willed; she also well trained in a similar field. Should Terry agree to take you on, I can only hope that you will be blessed with training Bridgid can offer you as well as that of Thorne and O'Leary. But we must begin at the beginning.

"This evening we will meet with my vintner. I wish for you to join us as we tour the fields and discuss the land. You will observe this man's speech, his behavior, his professional attitude. You will observe his mannerisms toward the land and everyone around him."

"I have no interest in a vintner," Antony said with a hiss.

"But you have interest in understanding, do you not? Every situation offers a lesson, General. Every person, every expression, every event. Come, Antony," grinned Pullo. "Where is your sense of adventure?"

"A vintner?" Antony groaned.

"Will you disrespect my choice of work?" Maximus said sternly.

"I will not, I only question my need to participate."

Maximus stood. "You may question anything, Antony. I only offer quick solutions to your adjustments. We will meet with Mr. Garcia after dinner." And Max left the courtyard.

Pullo leaned closer. "Antony, I wouldn't push with General Maximus."

Antony leaned in too. "Pullo, I would not press too hard with me, either."

"Well, I'm fucked," Pullo watched Antony leave.