Disclaimer: CSI and it’s characters are not mine. The names of the all characters contained here-in are the property of Jerry Bruckheimer and CBS. No infringements of these copyrights are intended, and no money is made of it.

 

Disclaimer 2: This story was written as a tribute to the wonderful universe created by Beverly (Bjjones). Her Sylum Stories and the entire world she’s created made me write this. Sylum and the universe is hers, I just play with it.

 

 

The eternal city

 

by Valerie

 

Truth to be told, Nick wasn't surprised, when Warrick suggested that they should go on holidays, should take some time off and away from everything. The last few months had been hard, harder than many of the things he had lived through in his long life.

 

The war, the attack on his family... When it had happened he had shut down his emotions, had concentrated on what needed to be done, had once again become the general he had been all his life. He hadn't allowed himself to worry or to be afraid and only when the dead had been mourned and honored had he allowed himself to break down.

 

That night he had cried in Warrick's arms until he had no tears left. His mate had held him, the beloved presence soothing him and at the same time terrifying him because he knew how close he had been to losing everyone he loved. Warrick had felt his distress and calmly, soothingly made love to him, had shown him once again why he fought, why it was worth fighting for live even after living for almost 2000 years.

 

The battle had been over, but when they came home to Vegas, Nick couldn't shake the feeling that even though he had killed Richelieu, the war was long from over. He was on the edge for a long time, the warrior, the soldier in him, the Roman General he had woken from the depth of his soul to protect his family, his clan hadn't been easy to put at rest again. Work had been awkward at first, going back to his 'Nick Stokes'-persona the easy going, charming and smiling Texan boy... Not for the first time the difference between the mask he had assumed and the reality of who he was had felt like a burden, but this time it was harder. This time the team had known too. Grissom hadn't really known how to act around them and it had become weird.

 

Looking back, Nick thought, it had been a blessing in disguise that he and Warrick had been assigned to Catherine. The strong and intelligent woman had never doubted that, although Nick was in reality her ancestor, both he and Warrick would follow her lead and the insecurities that plagued Grissom after knowing who his team members were, were foreign to her. And so, slowly but surely life had begun to return to normality.

 

Nick smiled as he watched the clouds outside as the private jet flew towards their destination. In the first couple of weeks after coming home, he had gotten regular calls from Speed with hilarious tales about Riddick terrorizing the gangs in Miami.

 

"Something funny?"

 

Warrick sounded sleepy and as Nick glanced over to his lover he saw that the other man just barely had his eyes open. Gently he caressed his lover's face, smoothing the spiky hair as he answered softly.

 

"Just remembering Speed and Horatio's calls about Riddick and Eric"

 

Warrick reached out and held onto Nick's hand tightly, he smiled too at the reminder, but his eyes stayed dark and haunted, other memories were too close, other memories that made Nick shiver and yet he knew that it was Warrick who had suffered so much more during the entire ordeal.

 

When he had woken up buried underground the first thing he had felt had been Warrick's pain and fear. Only then had he realized where he was, that he was trapped underground and he had to force himself not to panic... Slowly, he had calmed himself, had tried to send his mate some assurance through their bond, assurance because he wasn't in immediate danger, he didn't need to breathe and had frankly said been in worse places during his life.

 

It hadn't helped though, Warrick, who during their entire relationship had been Nick's anchor, had never experienced being forcefully separated from his partner, had never felt the agony of a bond being stretched to its limits, seeing Nick buried alive in this little coffin, seeing the ants biting his lover... The vampire had forgotten about Nick's immortality, had forgotten about his strength, all that had mattered in this moment had been that Nick was in danger and he couldn't help him.

 

Softly Nick caressed Warrick's hair and leaned down to kiss him.

 

Maybe Warrick needed this holiday just as much as he did. Looking out of the window, Nick smiled as he saw nothing but the endless blue of the sky. Six more hours and they would land in Rome...

 

Rome...

 

The city had once been his home and maybe in a way it still was. He had never been there with Warrick on holidays even though they had spent some time there during the second world war and before passed through it a couple of times, but these had never been times of leisure, they had never been able to just walk through the narrow streets, had never kissed in front of the Trevi Fountain... Nick smiled again.

 

"It will be good for us"

 

Laying back in the plane's comfortable bed, he nodded silently.

 

"Yes it will"

 

In his mind though he knew that there was another reason for him to go there, a reason buried in his past and as he looked at the wooden casket on the table next to him he swallowed hard. Making sure that his movements didn't wake Warrick he got up and opened the lid. The sword gleamed in the light, the steel shimmering darkly, the engravings still as clear and detailed as they had been on the day when he had first seen the weapon. Reaching out with his hand, he grasped the hilt and lifted it out of the box.

 

"You fought Marcus with this sword"

 

Unlike before, Warrick's voice was strong now and as Nick turned he saw, that his mate was awake and alert.

 

"It worried me to see you fight with a different sword. It is magnificent though."

 

Slowly the dark skinned vampire got up and moved to stand next to his mate.

 

"Are you alright?"

 

The closeness and love of his mate made Nick shiver and for a moment he leaned in enjoying the comfort he always felt when Warrick was close.

 

"It's Caesar's sword."

 

He felt Warrick gasp for air as he took in the words and gently put the sword down in its casket before taking his lover's hand and leading him towards the seating area.

 

"When Marcus killed my family, took everything from me, he had the time and day carefully selected. He knew that another murder would happen on this day one that would shake up the city enough to blind everyone from what happened in my home."

 

Warrick's hand tightened around Nick's as he shielded his mate from unpleasant memories.

 

"In his war against Egypt and Marc Anthony, Octavian came to the desert. I saved him when he would have died from a snake bite, thinking that he would never recognize me after all I never had much dealings with him."

 

Smiling at his own stupidity back then, Nick felt himself being drawn back into his memories.

 

"Let me help you"

 

'I have to save him' it was all Nick could think when he saw the limp body of Augustus Octavian emperor of Rome. The city might not be his home anymore, still he cared for the people there and he did not want it to fall back into the civil war that had erupted after Caesar's death.

 

Carefully he drained the poison from the wound, healing the sting with his saliva and forced some water down the dry throat. He didn't care that he had lost his scarf, that he was exposed to the sun and the eyes of the man he was trying to save.

 

Octavian was too far gone to know who he was.

 

"Here drink this"

 

Trembling hands grasped the water bottle and he sighed relieved when he realized the other man was going to survive.

 

"Your people will be with you shortly, you are safe now."

 

He wanted to turn away, when the other man's hands suddenly gripped him hard.

 

"It cannot be, you are dead"

 

A shiver ran through Nick as he heard the shaking whisper.

 

"Nico"

 

Unable to move he felt captured under his emperor's stare.

 

"You were slaughtered on the same day as my uncle died, your family was killed, your house was taken."

 

Slowly the strong grip loosened and the hand holding his arm turned around, searching for a pulse. Nick held his breath as he waited for the horror, instead the man nodded in understanding.

 

"My uncle was avenged by me, but you and your family had no one to avenge them, so you came back by the grace of Mars Ultor."

 

Octavian didn't wait for an answer as he tried to get a hold on his sword. Nick drew back a bit and handed the wonderful weapon to the man who ruled Rome.

 

" My uncle spoke highly of you and I saw you in battle myself. A crime like the one against you should not go unpunished."

 

Astonishment filled Nick as he saw that Octavian held the hilt of the Sword towards him.

 

This is the Caliban sword of Julius Caesar, you fought on my uncles side, you know the terrible power of this sword. When he died, I swore to kill the ones he trusted and betrayed him, I swore that this sword would become the weapon of Mars Ultor and that I would avenge my uncle."

 

There was an almost tangible power in the sword and it made Nick's hand tingle.

 

"It is your time now to yield this sword and seek your own revenge."

 

Octavian's voice was still barely above a whisper but it carried a strength that spoke volumes of the will and power of this man's mind and heart.

 

"I, Augustus Octavian hand you to sword of Julius Caesar, may you yield it in the name of Mars Ultor and find glory in the knowledge that those who died were avenged."

 

Nick felt Warrick's body tremble as he spoke the last words and he knew that his mate too was assaulted by memories of the hell they'd gone through so long ago.

 

"When Phillip accused Marcus and he was killed, I went to the temple of Mars Ultor. I brought a sacrifice and wanted to return the sword, but the priest stopped me saying that my journey was not over yet and that this sword would once again come alive."

 

Nick shivered as he thought back to the events only weeks ago, the threat of Marcus suddenly so near again.

 

"He told me I would know when the time was right to return the sword and that it would not belong in the temple of Mars Ultor but in the one of Julius Caesar."

 

Turning around and leaning heavily against his lover, Nick once again looked at the 2000 year old weapon gleaming dimly in the light.

 

"It is time to bring it back, Warrick, it is time now."

 

---

 

Three days later Warrick walked with Nick through the ruins of what once had been the center of ancient Rome. Sometimes, when he concentrated hard, he could still see it as it had been back then. Could see the teaming life, the stern men in their white togas, could hear them arguing over politics and war.

 

He felt that Nick was deep in thought as they approached the non-descript wall and pile of rubble, the only remains of the temple of Julius Caesar. Stepping behind the wall, Warrick couldn't help the surprised gasp as he saw the flowers that decorated the simple stone. It was all that was left of the intrinsically carved sarcophagus which had held Caesar's ashes.

 

"2000 years later and still people are drawn to him"

 

Nick nodded silently

 

"He was an exceptional man"

 

His voice was sad and tired as if he suddenly felt the weight of all these years.

 

"You know sometimes, I wonder why she turned me and not him."

 

He put the simple branch of laurel down and walked out of the small shelter. Warrick stood in front of the altar for a moment longer, he needed to quench the jealousy knowing that it would do neither him nor Nick any good. They were mates, they would be together forever and yet, some primal human instinct demanded him to warn the long dead man.

 

"He is mine"

 

When he left the remains of the temple, Warrick saw Nick smile and shrugged. He knew that Nick had heard him and as he wrapped the smaller man in his arms, he slowly repeated his words.

 

"You are mine"

 

Soft hands caressed his face and Nick relaxed against him.

 

"Let's go and see Saint Peter and eat some ice cream. I can't leave the sword here now, we will come back here tonight."

 

Nick's hand held his as they walked towards the exit of the Roman Forum and held on even as they crossed the street. It was unusual and to Warrick's surprise Nick's grip tightened as he tried to remove his hand.

 

The end of the day saw them sitting in one of the more secluded squares, quietly sipping some wine and watching the people when Warrick suddenly spoke.

 

"You know, when I saw you lying there, I understood, like really understood, for the first time why you turned me."

 

He felt Nick tense next to him and shook his head.

 

"I've forgiven you long ago, you know that, but only now I understand the terror and pain you must have felt. You know, I am glad that we will die together, I could not go on without you."

 

To his surprise, Nick smiled lightly and held his hand again.

 

"Neither could I, Warrick"

 

They watched as the setting sun cast a red light through the eternal city, smiled at the organized chaos that was and had always been the Roman traffic and marveled at the sense of style these people seemed to have no matter what age or gender. Finally when their waiter brought the coffee, the sweet wine and the cantucci, Warrick looked at Nick again.

 

"It is time, Nick, time to leave vengeance behind."

 

He saw his lover tense and release a deep sigh. They paid and once again hand in hand walked back to the flower adorned stone that had once held Caesar's ashes. Unlike during the day, they were alone. Gently Nick took the sword out of its wooden box and lifted it against the moon.

 

"It is time to return it, you are right. This time the sword will be accepted."

 

He put it down, next to the flowers and leaves. Quickly he murmured an ancient prayer to both Mars and the deified Caesar, then turning around he looked at Warrick and the younger vampire could feel the love between them, their bond so strong he thought he would be able to reach out and grab it.

 

"I love you"

 

Warrick didn't answer, just took hold of his lover's hand as they left the historical site. They didn't care that they had just left a priceless artifact behind them and they never turned back.

 

That night they loved each other with the sweetness and passion that had been part of their relationship for three hundred years. It was only when they lay next to each other listening to the sounds of the wakening city that Warrick spoke again.

 

"She turned you because she knew your heart would be strong enough to survive for eternity. She did it because she knew you were the right one."

 

Nick didn't answer but the love that flowed through their bond made Warrick purr with content.

 

He had been right, when he'd suggested to go to Rome, it had started here and now at the end of something old and the start of something new, this was the perfect city to be. Because just as Rome, they had overcome everything in their way and were still standing, still partying and still loving.

 

The dark skinned vampire closed his eyes, the eternal city Rome was called. The name fit.

 

---

 

Epilogue

 

"I was right"

 

The smugness in the man's voice was audible as he took the sword from its stone and carried it over to his companion.

 

"And I misjudged him"

 

Smiling lightly he handed the sword back to the taller man, before he walked to stand next to him.

 

"You have a tendency to do that with humans"

 

The pair watched as the sun rose and brought the city back to life, they watched as tourists began to flock the streets and the ruins. They had always been there, had always been watching.

 

Rome wasn't called the eternal city for nothing.