AN: Again, do not own anything you recognize. Sorry for the wait.

To CosmicGirl22: Wow, honestly, I had this written a long time and when you messaged me, your suggestion and my new chapter matched, almost exactly. Great minds think alike it seems.

Thanks for the reviews, keep them up!


"Father, would it be all right if I spent the day out with Tiberia? I think we have a lot to talk about."

Paterculus waved his hand, giving his consent to the idea, telling her to bring one of the slaves with her.

Aurelia smiled and found a slave, telling him to take the day off, as she headed off into the streets of Rome. She knew where she was going but she could not have anyone, especially her father, know where her destination was.

Aurelia moved the cloth further over on her face; she could not been caught in this part of the city, especially alone. No excuse could save her – no friends or relatives lived in the Aventine... only her betrothed, which had not yet been made public.

She knew she could possibly be making a big mistake but it was a risk she had to take. She needed to know this Lucius Vorenus better and not from what others told her, but from what she saw herself.

She had reached the area but had no idea where to go next – her brother had only said he controlled the Aventine area, but not where the brothel could be found. She would have to ask around.

Finally she found someone who pointed her in the right direction though she hoped not as she entered a building filled with what she knew to be prostitutes.

A very tan woman with black hair and eyes came up to her, a snarl playing at her lips, "You lookin' for work?"
Aurelia's mouth fell open at the suggestion, "Certainly not, I'm looking for Lucius Vorenus."

The woman shrugged and pointed to a table towards the back. Aurelia's eyes followed her finger and she saw him, sitting with another man.

She pulled her courage together and moved down the stairs and towards the table.

Lucius Vorenus leaned closer to ensure that no one listened to the conversation going on between him and his best friend, Titus Pullo. Before he could start his sentence though, his eyes barely caught sight of a new face moving through the crowd. She was not a new face to him but a new face to the area – a face that should never have to see places like this. He felt himself cough, or clear his throat, he was not sure which but he excused himself and met her halfway, trying to ignore the many eyes that watched them.

Without words, he dragged her by the arm up to his 'office', making sure to leave the door open so no one would get the wrong idea.

"Aurelia, what are you doing here? You shouldn't be anywhere near here."
She looked at him defiantly, "Why? Does it displease you? Enough to call off the whole thing?"
He held her arm tighter, "You are not some common whore like the girls downstairs so stop acting like one!"
"I'm being sold like one," the grip on her arm was too much and she cried out, "Stop it! You're hurting me!"

He let go for with every tear that fell down her face, his defenses fell. He ushered her to a chair and kneeled down before her.

"Aurelia, why did you come all this way?"
She answered when she calmed down, "Well, I would think it was obvious. My father tells me I am to be married and I have heard many things about you, many horrible things, and I wanted to see if they were true, if I really was destined to marry a godless brute and- and-"

She was emotional, she could feel it and she did not know why.

He felt guilty, ashamed, it showed on his face, and he did not know why.

He tried to stay composed, "It is a business, that is all-"
"No, sir, I have heard about the things you said. You insulted Concordia, the goddess of marital harmony, and now you except to find a dutiful wife in me! I am sorry and scared to say that if you think that, you are wrong."
Vorenus felt for the young woman, "I will have you, dutiful or not."

She looked up at him, trying to decipher the meaning behind his words. Was he being cruel and dominating? Or kind? His eyes told her he was sincere.

"You do not even know me."
"I would like to, very much," he dared to caress her cheek and she flinched, "How about I take you out for the day? Not today of course, but I will soon. I'll send word to your father as to when. Okay?"

She could only nod.


Vorenus did send word a week before the planned outing but Aurelia did not learn of the date until the day of when her father happened to mention it. Aurelia barely had any time to ready herself – appearance-wise or emotionally – for the event.

She did not know how to react to the news that she would be spending, most likely, the entire day with the man she was supposed to marry. She paced around the house in anticipation and when she reached the doorway, she saw a man waiting nearby but it was not Lucius Vorenus, it was her brother, Titus.

"Titus, what are you doing?"

He merely glanced up at her, his mind being elsewhere, "I, like you, are waiting for Vorenus' arrival – I will be chaperoning your outing with him."

"We're being chaperoned?"
"Surely you did not think I would allow Vorenus a whole day alone in your company," he scoffed, "A man like him cannot be trusted alone with a young, unmarried girl, especially if she is my sister!"

A knock rang out and Titus waited no time and for no slave to open the door. He opened it himself to reveal a pensive Lucius Vorenus.

"Aurelia, would you excuse us for a moment?"

Aurelia made no move to question her brother and quickly left for another room.

"Lucius Vorenus? My name is Titus Paterculus, I am Aurelia's brother, and I need to talk to you."
Vorenus played dumb for the time being, "What about?"
"I don't care what my father said but I do not think you should marry my sister."
Vorenus wanted to sigh at his luck, "I'm afraid it is too late, your father and I have an agreement. I will marry your sister."
"You know nothing about her. If you're looking for a maiden who is dutiful and submissive, you have picked the wrong girl so just tell my father you made a mis-"
"Paterculus, you need not worry about your sister's safety. As my wife, she will be taken care of and forced to do nothing she wishes not to do, I assure you."
Titus raised an eyebrow in disbelief, "Either way I am accompanying you two today – to ensure my sister's safety and honor so she will not be ruined when my father comes to his senses and stops this marriage."

Vorenus made no move to continue the conversation, he simply wanted to get on with his day and decided to ignore the younger Titus Paterculus. He asked a passing slave to fetch Aurelia so they could be on their way.

She was before them in moments and Vorenus finally was able to take the sight of her in. Her hair was mostly left down, cascading down her shoulder and over her back. Her long tunic was the color of the sky on a clear, beautiful day – a day that could only become more beautiful if she were outdoors.

That day had been one of those days and Vorenus felt himself become happier outdoors and in her presence, even if Titus Paterculus was lurking somewhere behind them.

He had no idea where he should take her but decided it was best she learned the streets of the Aventine, though Titus did not approve, so she would never be at the mercy to those who would surround her. He would point out particular people or places where interesting events – whether related to him or not – occurred to keep her entertained. It seemed to work.

To ensure her safety in the region, he took hold of her small, delicate hand and by her not refusing the action, they both knew that they had taken one step towards their upcoming marriage – they had showed their consent publically.

It turned out to be a good idea when a bustle broke out rather close to them and Vorenus pushed Aurelia down another alley, using his body to shield her from the fury.

She looked up at him, shocked by his sudden movements and also by his closeness. He smiled, trying to sooth the uneasiness.

"Thank you," she breathed.
Again he smiled, "It seems we've lost your brother. I'm sure I'll never hear the end of that."
"He merely worries for my safety."
"And so do I," he locked eyes with her, "Aurelia, I know you know why we are to be married – to pay off your father's debts, but I don't want you to think that you are a mere payment. I will take care of you as best I can, you will never be in want."

She looked away, unsure of what to say. He seemed to mean what he said and the safety she felt merely in his presence rose. His sincerity moved her, but she did not get a chance to respond as she heard her brother calling after them.

"Vorenus, you scoundrel! Step away from my sister!"

Vorenus did as he was told as Aurelia assured her brother she was unharmed.

"Well Vorenus after that stunt I am taking Aurelia home. If I have it my way, you won't see her until the wedding, if there even is one," Titus practically spat.
Vorenus moved forward, "Now Paterculus, I promised your sister a whole day out and it has not even been half that. Don't make me break a promise to the girl. We will be close by at all times, I swear."

Titus looked to his sibling and saw no objection so he hesitantly agreed. The day progressed with Vorenus buying Aurelia a few trinkets before he safely returned both her and her brother back to their home.

Aurelia thanked Vorenus by lightly kissing him on the cheek, much to her older brother's displeasure.

As she sat in her room, awaiting cena, she scolded herself – she could not take a liking to, let alone allow herself to love, such a brute of a man. He had killed before – as a soldier, as head of the Aventine, and possibly as a husband. He took the company of criminals and prostitutes. He cursed the gods. Could he really even protect her? He seemingly could not protect his own children or even the ruler of Rome, Julius Caesar.

She was full of doubts when it came to Lucius Vorenus and so decided to doubt her feeling toward him.

Vorenus had the same doubts. Could he protect her? Could he give her all she desired? He was a ruined man. He had seen and experienced horrors throughout his life, did he dare bring an innocent girl into the mix? Could he even love after Niobe?

Only time would tell.