©2001 by WILDBEARIES

This story is based on characters created in the film, "Gladiator" and in no way intended to infringe upon those characters or the story of that film. References to real people are strictly the product of the writer's imagination and meant to entertain the reader.
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The time until Maximus' appointment in Rome flew past. He gained much of his strength back, put some weight on his gaunt frame and, most importantly, seemed happier as each day passed. Donatus spent several hours with him each day planning the details of the removal of Felix III to Hispania, and Ana supposed that was a great part of why he was happier - he had something to do again. Something besides killing for the enjoyment of a fickle populace.

Since she no longer needed her to be at his beck and call, she moved out of his quarters and back into her father's tent. She had thought she would be happy to go, but once she had moved her things, melancholy overcame her. She was pleased that her patient was better, especially since everyone had virtually given up on him, but she missed him. She missed his voice, his good-natured joking with Varrus and herself, and she missed looking at him. She lay in her bed the first night and came to the realization that her feelings for Maximus were far more complex than what she felt for any other patient. Indeed, she didn't think of him as a patient at all now. She thought of him as a man - a man who had been given back his life and who was everything she wanted for herself.

She sat up, pummeled her pillow into submission, and tried lying on her side. It was no good. She couldn't sleep. Sighing, she got up, dressed and went out into the starlit night, wrapped from ankles to eyes in her warmest fur lined cloak. The camp was sleeping except for the sentries and an occasional aide hurrying on a nocturnal mission for one of the officers. She walked to the parade ground, quiet and empty of the drilling cavalry units that filled it during the day, and sat on a rock looking up at the clear sky.

She sighed, her breath a misty cloud in the cold air.

"That sounds serious," Maximus' voice, coming as it did from what she thought was empty space, startled her and she slid off her rocky perch onto the hard packed ground with a thump. He chuckled and came to help her to her feet.

"I - I didn't know anyone was here," she stammered, tangled in her cloak, feeling unaccountably shy. Would he be able to tell that he enthralled her just by touching her? She didn't want to take the chance. She jerked on the hem of the garment and realized he was standing on it. "My cloak," she murmured. Maximus moved off it.

"Sorry," he apologized, holding her by both upper arms so she wouldn't lose her balance. "Steady now?" When she nodded, he let go of her, though he seemed reluctant. He helped her back onto the rock, and then had her scoot over so he could sit beside her. "There, it's warmer this way," he said, draping his cloak over her so they shared the warmth of the soft wool. "The advantages of an officer's cloak," he told her, "and this one is especially fine."

She had to agree. She sat beside him, glad of the darkness that hid her blushes, and wondered why he couldn't sleep either.

"I was restless," he said, answering her unspoken question. "Probably my energy getting back to normal."

"No doubt. You must increase your exercise now, your body is healing." Gods, she sounded just like her father!

His amused chuckle told her he thought so, too. "I shall," he said politely.

"Are you pleased the legion is going to your home country?" she asked.

He was silent for a time, and she cursed herself for a fool. Of course he wasn't pleased! The last time he had been home it had been to discover the ruins of his home and the bodies of his wife and son. The thought of returning there would naturally be painful. Finally he answered, "Yes and no."

"I'm sorry," she murmured, "I should have realized it wasn't a simple question."

"That's fine," he reassured her, "no need to apologize to me, Ana."

He was looking at her, she could see him in the moonlight as plain as day. She couldn't help but turn to face him. He smiled. "That's more like you," he told her. "What is troubling you?"

Was she so transparent? If she blurted out, "I heard you the other night and wished it was me in your bed with you and not an imaginary woman" would he be shocked and disgusted? She dug her fingernails into her palms to keep from doing just that. Instead, she answered, "I suppose, changing back to my old quarters. I always have difficulty sleeping in a new place."

"Ah, well, luckily I have learned to sleep most anywhere. So, normally, sleeping isn't a problem." On the rocky ground, he thought, even in a filthy cell with other gladiators, or in the comfort of his own bed - he had taught himself to rest in most any circumstance. It was that or be too weary to think straight, which could be fatal.

"You are fortunate in that," she responded, wishing she sounded less stilted.

"I miss you," he admitted, surprising her. "I don't mean any disrespect," he explained, "but I had grown used to having you there, hearing your voice, talking with you about your day, and seeing you mix your medicines and potions."

"Even the camphor poultices?" she teased him.

"Well, perhaps not that, but most of them." He unconsciously touched his chest where the skin was still irritated from the camphor. He seemed lost in thought, eyes on the stars as he absently rubbed the skin under his tunic.

Ana swallowed, wishing she could rub some soothing unguent on him and take away the sting. "I have some ointment that might help that," she finally told him.

He stopped rubbing, looked down at his hand as though surprised it was there, and said, "Do you, now? Perhaps you would bring me some of it tomorrow?"

"Of course," she agreed. She would give him her heart in a pastry and a knife to cut it with, should he ask her. Fool! She told herself. He is not for you.

"You should be in bed," he informed her after a few more minutes of sitting in companionable silence, watching the sky. He helped her down off the rock and walked with her to her father's tent. In a low voice, he said, "I hope you sleep well, Lady Ana."

She gazed up at him, seeing only the gleam of starlight reflected off his eyes and the strong planes of his face as he looked down at her.

"Yes?" he asked softly.

For an answer, Ana leaned up and kissed his cheek. "Good night, sir."

"Maximus," he corrected her, gently holding onto her right hand.

"Maximus," she echoed. "I - I - oh, curse it!" She launched herself at him, nearly knocking him off his feet as her body came firmly against his. She grabbed hold of his neck and pulled him down to her level, putting her lips against his in a long, passionate kiss. He went rigid with surprise for a moment, then, to her delight, he kissed her back, holding her tightly against him, his fingers in her hair, as he parted her lips with his tongue and plunged it inside her mouth. Her head whirled and she tried frantically to get even closer to him, her hands tangling in the folds of his cloak and the fabric of his tunic beneath.

Surprised at her, Maximus nonetheless enjoyed the kiss. It had been a long time for him, years since he saw Selene and held her, exchanging gentle kisses that turned into fiery passion. It had been ages since anyone had touched him with anything remotely resembling affection. He couldn't help but respond to it. Indeed, his body was most enthusiastic about it. His loins ached and he rubbed his hips against her body, unable to stop himself. She felt so good! When her small hand sought the heated length of his sex, he finally came to his senses enough to lift his mouth from hers and set her away from him. They panted, staring at each other.

"This is not good, Ana," he began.

At the same time, she said, "I can't help it, I'm in love with you, Maximus."

"What?" they questioned in unison.

"Why isn't it good?" she asked, when the silence had stretched almost beyond bearing. "I know I'm not from a high Roman family, but my ancestors in Alexandria are as good as any in Rome."

He smiled gently at her, "Ana, Ana, would I hold your blood against you? I? You forget, I am not from Rome, either. I'm merely a Spanish soldier who was lucky enough to rise in the service of the empire. Granted, my mother's father was a senator, and my father was also of good family, but we're far from grand."

"Then why?" She hoped she didn't sound as petulant as she felt. "Why? Is it your wife? You're still grieving?"

"Partly, yes. And partly because I've no idea what's going to happen after this trip to Rome. It could all be a ruse to get me in the control of the Praetorians so they can remove a threat they think I present to their running the empire. I could be dead next week, Ana, and then where would you be?"

"I would grieve you terribly," she admitted, "But I'd rather grieve you after having known the real man than grieve for a legend."

She looked up at him, tears sparkling like stars on the ends of her thick lashes, and Maximus knew if he didn't walk away from her right then, he wasn't going to walk away. Not alone, anyway. She could read his hesitation, and she smiled, lips trembling. It undid his resolution completely and he pulled her against him, angling his mouth across hers, kissing her fiercely.

Ana was ecstatic. She returned his hot kisses with equal fervor, trying to climb inside his body with him, trying to touch him everywhere at once. When he pulled away for a moment, she heard herself whine in disappointment, like a little puppy denied the loving hand of her master. She couldn't help it. She wanted him. Goddess help her, she loved him.

After dragging in a few ragged breaths, Maximus took her by the hand and led her swiftly through the darkness to his tent. Once inside, he turned and removed his cloak, leaving it in a heap on his map table. Her cloak joined it, and they made their way to his bed chamber, shedding garments as they went. Finally, beside the wide camp bed, he removed his white tunic, kicked off his boots and slid off the flannelled trousers. He wore the Felix Legions pendant on a heavy gold chain, and the wolf's head ring, and his own skin. Ana could see him in the dim light of the little bedside lamp, and when he made to extinguish it, said softly, "Leave it. Please?"

He smiled at her and helped her out of her stola, taking the time to fold the soft wool garment so it wouldn't wrinkle, and placing it carefully over a chair. He unlaced the tunic she wore beneath the stola, widening the neckline until it drooped far down on her shoulders, uncovering her bosom. He studied her closely, his eyes taking in the lovely pale skin, her rosy tipped breasts with the nipples like little buds, her long auburn hair that, once he unfastened the ribbon that held it, covered her like a beautiful, living cloak. "You are so lovely," he whispered, his hands on her breasts, lifting and stroking, his thumbs on her nipples. He bent and kissed each one, then knelt before her and pressed his face against her belly so her silky hair flowed down over him. "Ana," he moaned, kissing strands of her hair, kissing her belly, his hands cupping her buttocks and gently kneading the lovely flesh of her hips.

She held him tight against her, then, when it wasn't enough, pulled at his hands until he rose to his feet, backed her toward the bed, and fell across it with her. She wanted him right then, desperate to feel him inside her, but he held her off, trying to take the time to make it good for her. He held her still and panted, "Have you had a man before?"

She shook her head, "No…but, don't let that stop you. Please!" She thrashed herself free of his imprisoning hands and took hold of his heated shaft, pulling him down where she wanted him. "Please. . .now!"

Maximus groaned. "Ana, you're very small and I don't want to hurt you." He slid a finger inside her heated folds and found that she was slippery and warm, writhing when his thumb stroked her clitoris. He put another finger inside her, stroking insistently, opening her, feeling her moisture run. He was so eager for her, his cock was twitching and his own moisture was oozing in pulses. "Ahhhh," he groaned, "I cannot wait," and, holding his shaft in his hand to guide himself, he began working his way into her very slowly and carefully.

Ana parted her thighs farther, holding onto his upper arms, thrilling as his heated length parted her tender flesh and filled her tightly until at last, she felt him pause. "Don't stop!"

He felt her maidenhead, and knew he was going to hurt her breaking through it, "Ana, I don't mean to hurt you, but it must be done."

She shook her head, "Don't stop! Don't. Stop."

He was on fire for her, unable to stop now if the tent fell down around them, and so he withdrew almost until he pulled out of her, then gave a strong thrust of his hips, impaling her completely, penetrating her virgin's membrane as if it wasn't there. She uttered one startled sound, then wrapped her legs around his hips and leaned up to kiss him. "Don't stop," she whispered, and moved her hips, tilting to take him more deeply inside.

Maximus was helpless to resist her. He pumped his hips, stroking her deep, deep inside with his swollen shaft. She felt like a glove made just for him, hot and silky and luscious, and he could no longer control his body as he worked her flesh with his, both of them groaning and panting. "Yes," she sobbed, "yes, oh - oh - oh I feel - I feel…" She cried out then, and he closed his mouth over hers to silence her, taking in her sobs of delight as she experienced her first orgasm on his thrusting flesh.

When she quieted, he slowed a little, stroking her more deeply still, taking more time about it, until she tightened her inner muscles on him, and he felt the eruption about to begin. His belly cramped, then the first spasm began. He drove deep and paused there, shaking, as the first gout of his seed shot into her womb. "Ana!" he said hoarsely, and when she tightened her legs around him, he thrust deep once again, and then just held still over her, his sex pumping his seed deep inside her in an ecstatic gush. He trembled against her and his arms could no longer hold his weight, so he came down against her and just lay for a time until his breathing returned to normal. He realized she was kissing him, trailing little kisses along his face, his neck and his chest - wherever she could reach. "Ana, are you all right, little one?" She was so small, and he had taken her like a brute stallion.

She looked into his eyes, which glinted silver in the pale lamplight. "Yes, it's wonderful. I'm wonderful." She kissed his mouth, stroking her tongue in between his lips until he laughed and opened to her, thrusting his tongue against hers and into her sweet mouth, claiming it like his cock had claimed her only moments before.

He rolled to one side, taking her with him, cuddling her close and pulling the bed covers up over their nude bodies. "Sleep then," he murmured to her, noting how her eyelids drooped now that she was sated. "Sleep, and wake me when you want more."

Her eyes drifted open and she asked, "More?"

He smiled at her, brushing her hair from her face. "Oh yes, much more. There is much for you to find out, little Ana, and I seem to be the one chosen to teach you."

She gave him a pussycat smile, and sighed happily, snuggling against his chest. "I can hear your heart beat," she murmured. "I wanted to do that. . ." and then she was asleep.

As for Maximus, he, too, slept after a time. But he did wonder what he was going to say to her father.

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Copyright 2001 by wildbearies