^_^ Feedback is salivated over and generally L~O~V~E~D~!!!!!

<Part 1>
 

    Maximus and Cicero were shoved into the dungeon in seperate cells. The general was furious but held homself in check. Cicero watched him silently.

    "It isn't your fault." Maximus finally spoke. "You tried to warn me."

    "They will kill you now."

    "I am aware of that."

    "Maximus, you are my most dear friend." Cicero reached through the bars and grasped his hand tightly, "I will serve you in Elysium just as I have in the land of the living."

    "You have earned your rest Cicero. Stop trying to save me from the world."

    "What are friends for?"

    Maximus smiled saddly, "I am grieved to bring you into my struggles my friend."

    Cicero smiled and squeezed his master's hand once before letting go and falling back to lean against the cool stone wall, "It is an honor."

__________________________________________

    Quintus stood before the Ceasar, "We have Maximus sire. And the slave Cicero who would aid his escape."

    Commodus nodded, "Ready my horse. And ready my dear. . . brother."

    A nod and the man was gone. Commodus clasp his cloak and walked into the light of the courtyard. "Father." He gazed at the statue of his sire, "You never loved me as you did your precious general. No matter how much I loved you." A stray tear was dashed away and he glarred at the marble figure, "But I CAN be a good ceasar father. I will show you. I will raise Rome to it's finest glory all for you, and maybe then in the fields of Elysium you will smile at me and say you are proud to call me your flesh."

______________________________________

    Maximus was chained spread eagle in the damp outer room and Cicero watched through the bars, uttering prayor after prayor for them both. When the large doors opened, both rebels turned proud eyes to the emporer of rome.

    "Maximus, why do you hate me so?" He asked after dismissing the guards.

    "You killed your own sire."

    "You loved my father too. I suppose that makes us brothers."

    "You never loved him. You killed him for your own gain."

    A look of pure pain laced Commodus' eyes, "I killed him because he killed me a little more every time I saw him! You know what he always said? Watch Maximus, you should do well to learn from Maximus. I was outside the tent that day after the battle. He claimed 'YOU' as the son he should have had." His voice cracked in saying that, "All I ever wanted was to live up to his expectations but I never could. My virtues weren't on his list. Yours were."

    "I never wanted to take his love from you. All I wanted was to return to my family, farm, and crop."

    "I took that from you out of rage and the pure hate I felt at that moment." For a moment a bit of his father was clear in his eyes, "I am sorry for that. Love is too precious a thing to break."

    No one was ever to know what attracted the emporer's attention, whether t'was the light shining off a buckle or an involuntary shuffling, but at that moment he realised they were not alone and turned his eyes full on Cicero.

    He froze. There, standing in the light pouring through the barred window, was a messenger of the Gods! His dark, slightly curling lochs framed a beautiful pale face and strong sculpted lips. A straight, royal noise and eyes that touched his very soul. Scars marred the beautiful skin but they didn't steal it's perfection, only drew attention to the high bones of the cheeks and the slight natural flush at their crest. Commodus felt the unexplcable urge to trace those scars with his fingertips, with his tongue. To praise the God before him as was fitting.

    "W. . . what is your name?"

    The man/God faced him and stood proud, "Cicero, servant of Maximus."

    "A slave."

    "No longer."

    Something burned deep inside him and Commodus made a decision that would change all of their lives. "I offer you a bargain."

    The servant's eyes didn't waver.

    "An exchange. Your life for Maximus'."

    "I accept."

    "Cicero! You damned fool what are you doing?!"

    "I will wait in Elysium for you general, and will care for your family until you arrive."

    "No you won't because you aren't taking my place, I order you not to."

    "You both misunderstand." Commodus smiled, "I want his life as a compainon, not as a sacrifice."

    Cicero nodded and stepped forward as his cell was unlocked.

    "No! Stop! Damn it Cicero get back here!"

    The servant didn't turn as his master screamed for him, but followed his new master who stopped at the guards room.

    "Sire?"

    The emporer looked at Cicero and smiled, "Go unchain him and give him good food and drink. He won't fight until the morrow."

    "Sir!"

    Cicero closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. He touched Commodus' shoulder lightly and uttered a soft, "Thank you."

    The young king's heart leapt and he returned the touch, "You are welcome."

___________________________

    Once inside his chamber's, Commodus ushered Cicero to the bath and pointed out everything he would need then called a servant to bring fresh clothing. "Is it to your liking?"

    The other man lowered his eyes, "I am a slave, It is not my place to complain or praise."

    "No! No! You aren't a slave! Please. . ."

    "May I leave then?"

    The emporer stared at the man, emotions battling over his face.

    "Then I am a slave."

    When the emporer returned from his dealings with the senate that night, he found Cicero curled up asleep before the fire place, shivering even before the flames. The boy/king sighed and scooped the man into his arms, tucking him warmly into the large bed.

    Aware that his new compainion would not appreciate him sharing the bed, the prince did something that was shocking to him as well as te servants present to attend him. He took up a fur and currled himself by the hearth. Leaving his God to the warm comfort of the bed. Before he slept he dismissed the slaves and looked once more upon the man now in his care. "I know you hate me. I have given you no reason to do otherwise, but I hope one day I might earn your affection as you have mine."

    Cicero slept on silently.
_________________________________

    The next morning when his sister came to wake him she could barely take in the scene before her. Her brother was already awake, a feat in itself, but beyond that he was cleaning the feet of Cicero, servant of Maximus while the other slept on.

    "Commodus yo. . ."

    "Shh." He smiled warmly at his sister but without the love/lust that usually touched his glances, "He is exhausted, let him sleep."

    Unsure of how many more surprises waited her she proceeded cautiously, "You are needed."

    He nodded and stood slowly, kissing the sleeping man's forehead before leaving.

    His Sister watched him go with silent question. He was acting so. . . young! So happy! Since their father had first choosen Maximus above her brother, she had never seen him so joyous. //What are you ploting my brother. And what has Cicero to do with it?//

____________________________

    When Cicero woke up he was instantly set upon by five slaves who washed, dressed, fussed over him. Brushed his hair and offered him food. They were all young boys, not even men yet, and looked at him as if they expected him to beat them if they erred.

    Noticing the longing looks they sent the food they had brought, he offered it to them, taking only a roll of bread for himself. He wasn't hungry. How could he even think about eating such luscious food while Maximus rotted away in the pits.

    His mind wandered over the way Commodus had behaved toward him. He wasn't acting as Cicero had come to expect. This worried him. Always Maximus told his soldiers they must know their enemy. //Is that why he is doing this? To throw me off?//

    "Sir?" One of the slave children asked quietly.

    "Wha. . . me? Oh please don't call me sir! I am only a slave like you."

    "Oh no sir. You are the companion of the Emporer. To call you anything else would be imputent."
The child smiled, "You would like a clean robe yes?"

    He nodded, still unsure of this new development, "Yes, thank you."

    They fussed over him and dressed his hair, annointed his skin and gave him the finest garments he had ever touched to wear for the day. "You must be mistaken."

    "They do not please you?"

    "Oh! It isn't that! It's just, They are so fine! Certainly not ment for someone like me."

    "Oh but they are! The emperor himself chose them."

    "This is very confusing."

_______________

    If Cicero was confused, the Senate was even more so. Commodus was actually taking part in the debates and proclamations! For him to change so swiftly, certainly the Gods had touched his soul. Only his sister knew different. She begain to suspect that it was no God, but a simple servant who changed her brother so. It terrified her to know that Cicero would rather die than give in to Maximus' tormentor. Had her brother come so far only to fall painfully into reality when he was refused comfort?

    //Please Cicero, treat his heart gently.//

    "Sister, are you lost? Do you need me to fill you in on the happenings today?"

    "No brother, I was only thinking."

    "Of what?"

    "Why have you suddenly accepted the sentate? Why are you not planning Maximus' demise? Or lamenting over the peoples inability to understand your dream?"

    He eyes shone with happiness, "Because I have found a new dream."

________________

    Cicero strode into his chambers with a huge smile which dissolved the moment he saw his man/God sitting alone, looking miserably lost and worried. "What troubles you?"

    He looked up and quickly stood, "I am not used to such a life. I have never been idol so long before."

    "You are bored?"

    "I am worried and have nothing to keep the worry from my thoughts."

    "Am I the cause of this worry?"

    "Yes."

    Commodus thought a moment, "The games are in three hours, have your slaves dress you in your finest, you will attend them with me."

    "I do not wish to be served by children sire. I am only a slave myself."

    "Why do you call yourself such!"

    Cicero shuddered but stood his ground, "Because it is the truth."

    "They will attend you! Or they will be executed!"

    Those deep eyes widened in shock and pain and Commodus realized his error to late to take it back. He simply stood, waiting.

    "They will suit me fine, my lord."

    "Call me Commodus."

    "I cannot my lord."

    The feelings clawing at his heart were to much. The ceaser stormed from the room and slammed the doors and Cicero looked down at the city, at her suffering masses, and his heart broke silently.

__________________

    From that day on, Cicero accompanied the emperor to the games. Gossip spread quickly about his possition in the court and none of it was very pleasent. They called him everything from a spy to a slut and then some.

    He took all of this in stride. If he had to be called such things to save his general he would stomach the insults. After all, what pride had a slave?

    It was a week after he had traded his liberty for Maximus' life that the general was once more brought into the arena. Commodus watched Cicero's expression through the fight and wanted to scream for the man at his side to stop looking at the general with such affection! Cicero was his! His!

    When they entered the Casear's chambers again Cicero clentched his jaw and waited for the man before his to rant and rave about his affection for his friend. He was caught completely unawar when the man fell to his knees and hugged his hips, "Sire?"

    "Why can no one love me? Even you love him more than me. My whole family does. My sister and Nephew. How am I supposed to succeed if no one is by my side?"

    "Kindness and mercy move peoples emotions sire. Force can only move their bodies."

    Commodus searched his eyes a moment then nodded, "I want to understand."

    "Then you will."

    He turned and strode to the senate for their sessions. Cicero had given him hope. and he was twice the man now for it.

____________________

    When the large doors of the king's chamber opened once more, Cicero was standing on the balcony and did not hear them. It wasn't until a hand caressed his back softly that he turned and saw Commodus standing behind him.

    "You look. . . stunning." He said breathlessly.

    "Sire why are you doing this? What do you want of me? I am at a loss."

    "I am doing this for my sanity and I want only your caring."

    "Yet you persecute my dearest friend."

    The emporor licked his lips helplessly, "What else can I do? He defies me. He would turn Rome against me. He can not do that. I have to build Rome up so my father will love me again."

    Cicero's eyes widened slightly. The ceasar transformed before his very eyes from a man of evil intent to a lost child who wanted only his sire's love. //How can he be such a puzzle? Which is true? The one who would kill an honorable man? Or the child lost without his father?// "Perhaps you should tell this to Maximus."

    Comodus stiffened, "He turned my father from me. He took his love away! How can you think he would be reasonable to my dreams when all he has done is to tear me apart?!"

    In the face of such anger Cicero shrank back and the emporor instantly softened, "I am sorry."

    "Please, don't. Don't treat me like an emporer. Can no one exept me without fear?"

    "You hate so much."

    "I know." The boy/king knelt on the ground before the richly dressed slave and held his waist tight, leaning against his abdomine helplessly, "teach me to love again."

    "I do not love you."

    He seamed to wilt on the spot, to crumble and shrink away. "No. no you don't. No one does, my own sister does not, so why should you. I am below the reception of love." He blinked, holding back tears. "Go then."

    "What?"

    "You are not a slave, you are a free man. If you can not stand to be near me then go."

    "I cannot."

    "I free you of your promise, I won't kill the one you love."

    "The one I. . ."

    "I only wish I could be as he is. Someone so many I care about loved above me."

    Cicero hesitated. He glance longingly at the chamber door, but then, when he looked back to the balcony, he saw the emporor, so lost looking. //To kill you must hate. Why can I not hate him?//

    "Before you go. . ."

    He tensed, "Yes?"

    "Please, kill me."

    "No."

    "I am nothing! My father hated me, my sister and her child fear me, my love dispises me, I have nothing left so end me!"

    "I can not."

    "You do not wish to sully your hands in my wicked blood. I understand."

    Cicero sighed and walked back to the ceasar, sitting beside him, "You are two people." He admitted. "One I can not stand. One killed his own father and threatens my friends."

    "I. . ."

    "but, one is kind and afraid, hiding because the world has held so much pain for him."

    "Cicero. . ."

    "That man, I might come to love."

    Now tears did stream over the boy's face.

    "But not until the other man is gone. The evil one."

    "Let me try Cicero. Please. I love you so much! Let me try."

    "You know I cannot love you as long a Maximus is chained."

    "I will think of something. I will find a way. I love you."

    Cicero only dared breath once he was alone again. He collapsed against the balcony rail and gasped in great breaths to calm him. //Oh Gods.//

<Part 2>
 

Commodus stood in the gardens pacing anxiously. //To earn his love I have to free Maximus, but to free Maximus is to invite death when I have just found salvation.//
"Sire?"
His eyes shot up to find the captain of the dungeon guard. "Yes?"
"There is a man amongst the prisoners, a friend of Maximus, he wished an audience."
"A slave?"
"I am sorry lord, but he was most, adimant."
The emperor's eyes widened when he noticed a gleam of silver and a shadowed figure behing the guard. The moment he was aware of the danger the guard was slaughtered and the assasin was upon him. "You dare?!"
"For Maximus!"
The young ruler struck out at his tormentor and managed to draw his sword. A hoarse cry for help caused him to glance up. Cicero stood on the balcony, eyes shining with tears. Those beautiful lips opened again, "Commodus!"
The attacker struck out and the emperor sank to his knees, never taking his eyes from Cicero. He silently mouthed, 'I tried, love' and then collapsed.
________________
Cicero cried out as the emperor fell. Something inside of him broke. He leapt over the balcony rail and covered the emperor's prone form with his own, "No! I am the servant of Maximus do not kill this man!"
The assassin paused, "You are Cicero."
"Yes."
"Why do you defend the enemy then?"
"I. . . I don't know! Just please, don't hurt him."
"Cicero."
The Irish slave looked down at the man who was bleeding on his shirt and tried to smile, "I'm here."
"What are you doing? Maximus could be freed if I. . ."
"You are trying to free him. You don't deserve to die just when you make a good choice."
The sound of the palace guards coming to the cesear's add chased his assasin away and Cicero sat, holding his bleeding captor in his arms and praying for some miricle to exlain to him what his heart was thinking when it decided to care for this man.
"Cesear!" The head guard rushed and took him carefully from Cicero.
"There was an assassin. He is bleeding from the left side, the sword cut him there."
With a nod the men rushed their injured ruler into his bedchamber and Cicero watched over him as they hurried to get the physician.
When Commodus woke he blinked to test that he wasn't still dreaming and reached out to touch the soft head of hair resting at his bedside. The soft boyish lines of Cicero's face were drawn and worried even in sleep. "You watched over me all this time little one?"
Maximus' servant looked up and smiled, a true and happy smile, "You're awake."
"You could have run, in the commotion no one would have noticed until you were far gone. Maximus with you. Why did you stay?"
"I found my better judgement deserts me at the most inopportune times."
The emperor smiled, "Does this mean I have touched your affections? A small bit?"
Cicero drew away and fetched some water for the man before him.
"Cicero?"
"I do not know sire." He breathed as he helped him to drink. "Every time I see you, I see all the pain you caused, all the people you hurt, but then I see all the pain and guilt you've felt, and the people who hurt you. You are a puzzle sire."
"I am a man."
"A puzzling one."
Commodus touched Cicero's scarred cheek in reverence, "What caused this?"
"When I was captured I spoke too frequently and too harshly to my captors. They decided to shut me up by cutting my face open in a way that speaking wound hurt too much to continue."
"Did their plan work?"
Cicero grinned and Commodus found himself grinning back, captured by the sparkling eyes.
"I popped the stitches daily cursing them to Hades and back. That is why the scars are so pronounced even so long after."
"I'm sorry."
"Maximus saved me from them."
"It seems I have many reasons to be grateful to him then." Commodus flinched at the warmth in those eyes, directed at Maximus' memory, not at him. "Guard."
The armored man entered the room and bowed, "Sire."
"Free the slave Maximus, he is given a full pardon."
"Sire?!"
Commodus glared and the guard scurried away.
Cicero was staring at him.
"Well? I have nothing to keep you here anymore. Maximus' freedom will mean my death, the senate will take over and no one will even remember me."
"Why?" He whispered.
The young emperor smiled and kissed his fingertip before placing it on Cicero's nose. "You love him. Go back to him. You aren't a slave anymore."

"Maximus is a dear companion. My master and friend." Cicero shook his head, "He is not my love. I couldn't love him, because I have seen his affections for the mistress and little master. His soul is always with them."

"But your caring! Your sacrifices for him! I watched you plead for the Gods mercy before each fight. You aren't betraying your mistress to love him when she's gone. I know that if you were mine, I would only wish you happiness. I ‘do' wish you happiness, and I know that you will not be happy with me. Go. Maximus is waiting."

"Why do you do that?"

"What have I done?"

"You think you know everything that anyone thinks about you and you try to push people away before they can get a word in. You didn't let me speak."

"Speak then, if you wish."

"I do not want. . . to go back to Maximus."

"You. . ."

"He will be fine without me. You need me more than he does."

"He is coming to kill me even now." Commodus stood weakly and slid into his armor. "You love him, even if only as a friend, you do love him."

"Yes."

"Then go, before he comes. I do not want you to have to chose."

A bright smile lit the Irishman's face and he looked down meekly, "I have already chosen. The moment you wished me to leave so that I would have happiness."

Commodus swallowed hard and reached for the scarred man who sat beside him on the foot of the bed.

Without fight, Cicero leaned into the touch and returned the embrace. For the first time someone hugged Commodus back, and his soul wept with joy for the touch.

"I don't understand. I did nothing. Gained no new virtue."

"You placed my happiness above your own. That is the mark of a good ruler. To place the good of the people first."

"I will never be a true ruler then, because your joy will always be first in my mind."

Cicero held the dark head to his chest and smoothed the thick hair upon it, "You do have a new virtue. Caring."

Commodus' eyes widened and he pulled out of the embrace, starring at Cicero, "Caring."
 
"Yes."

"That was on father's list." Tears spilt over his cheeks and he held the other man tight, "I finally have a virtue father wanted me to have."

"The part of you who kills without mercy is still inside you. You must guard it carefully and never let it surface again." Cicero pleaded, "Promise me."

"Why do you care?"

 
"Because, as I said, I could come to love your kind nature."

"Then you. . . you'll stay with me?"

"As the emperor wishes."

Once again strong arms enfolded him, "Thank you! You'll see, I will make you proud! I will become the person father wanted me to be. With you beside me I could do it! I can do anything with you by my side."

Cicero smiled and accepted the embrace, but Maximus was not going to leave Rome quietly. Commodus had killed his loved ones and that act required vengeance. Maximus was a good man but his revenge would not be denied. Both men knew that and, for each other, they were afraid.
 
 
 

~tbc~