a/n - this is my first foray into fan fiction. this is just a couple of little scenarios rattling around in my brain. Had to share with my fellow "rosvolios". Enjoy

A peaceful end to a tumultuous beginning

The brush gracefully touched the canvas with a bold color reflecting the subject before him. Benvolio smiled reminiscing about this moment in time. Especially last night's adventures…

'My Lord, your bath is ready.'

Benvolio smiled at his mischievous wife. 'Will this be my last?'

Rosaline chuckled at their ritual sparring as steam rose from the hot water. 'Only if you call me –'

'Never, my love.' Benvolio kissed her until Rosaline tingled down to her toes. He grinned as he straightened from bending down and removed his robe and joined his wife in the tub.

They had escaped. She risked her life for him as he was about to executed. He had realized that she lied to save her sister, and then devised an escape to make good on her promise – she would not let them kill him. True to her word, she put her body between him and the executioner and gave the speech of her life as she stood in front of him, touching his arm.

She exposed Count Paris by proving he was injured during the night he framed Benvolio. She made the Prince make Count Paris expose the injury that Benvolio sliced his arm during their duel. Verona was shocked and horrified that they almost killed one of their own.

Prince Escalus stopped the execution immediately.

When the executioner untied Benvolio, he collapsed in her arms. They sat on the "stage". Both were panting and on the verge of tears as they clung to each other. Benvolio rested his head on her chest and wrapped his weak arms around her. She put her hand on the back of his head and soothed her traumatized friend.

'I am so sorry, Montague,' Rosaline whispered in his ear in front of the crowd, holding her trusted friend in her arms. 'I'm so sorry I lied – but he threatened to kill my sister.'

'I figured they were holding you under some sort of peril,' Benvolio whispered with tears of relief in his eyes. 'But you owe me, Capulet.'

Rosaline laughed as she squeezed him tight. 'Of course, my Lord.'

Prince Escalus still ordered the two to be married. Rosaline knew that if marriage was the only way to save an innocent man, so be it. They had been through so much together. It almost seemed right.

No matter how much Rosaline or Benvolio didn't want to marry, they knew arguing about it would not make a wit of difference. Everything in Verona had calmed down so much, they were just happy to be able to breathe.

The wedding took place a month after the failed execution. The event took place in the Palace gardens, where they had their first picnic. It was in one of the larger gazebos, but the place was familiar to them all.

They played the happy couple as they covertly looked at each other with questioning eyes as well as defiant attitudes. It was as if the couple relished the thought of sparring with each other in private.

Benvolio was ready to leave before the sun went down. He had a gift for his new bride. The Montague carriage was brought around and Benvolio steered his bride away from the festivities. She did not argue. She was as exhausted and ready to leave the reception and all the fake smiles.

But Benvolio had a surprise for her. 'I need you to close your eyes,' he said as they left the Palace. 'Just for a few moments.'

'You aren't going to push me out of the carriage, are you Montague?' She smirked.

'No, but that is tempting,' he grinned. 'I have something to show you and I just want it to be a surprise.'

'Very well,' she said, trusting him. It amazed him that she did trust him so implicitly. That made this gift even more worthy of her.

The carriage turned a corner and Benvolio said, 'you can open your eyes now.'

In the fading sunset, her family's home came into view. It wasn't boarded up anymore. The grounds were kept and clean. There were doorman at the entrance and the place was lit up with lanterns and candles.

'Thank you for saving my life,' Benvolio said in a small voice.

'Oh, Montague.' Rosaline said in wonder as tears came to her eyes as she saw her home – her Capulet home ready for her. 'How? Why?'

'You forget I'm rich,' Benvolio said with swagger.

She gave him one of her sidelong glances that showed her annoyance and then it was gone in an instant.

She took his hand and looked into his eyes with such love and adoration, it caught his breath. Then she kissed him. Not for long, but her lips touched his and her hand was on his cheek. She ended the kiss by putting her forehead on his. 'You don't know what this means to me.' She whispered looking up at the house again.

He was embarrassed by the emotion and laughed, 'Well then, Capulet, let's go see what my money has done to our new home.'

Rosaline laughed and smiled that lit up his world. 'Yes, let's!' And they practically jumped out of the carriage and ran up the steps together to the new door on her old home.

Livia was waiting inside the dining area next to the large portrait. Rosaline was so happy to see her sister. They squealed in happiness as Benvolio hung back and stood in the same spot he learned about this house.

'You aren't needed at the House of Capulet?' Rosaline queried.

'No! Don't you know?' Livia said with astonishment. 'Your husband paid my bride price. I'm a lady once more.'

Rosaline looked over at Benvolio who had a sheepish grin on his face. He seemed embarrassed and proud at the same time. Rosaline couldn't help it – she strode over to him and hugged him and gave him another kiss. A little longer this time, but still chaste.

Neither of them was prepared for the swirling nerves that hit them both. They laughed as one of the new servants brought out some wine for the three of them to partake before retiring for the night.