Title: Alexander Revisited

Disclaimer # 1: I am fully aware that the movie with the same title exists (on DVD); this story was born out of that movie but took a turn to AU where it would reside with no intention of coming into a conflict with the original creation.

Disclaimer # 2: This story is a pure fiction. I don't know the real people involved; anything they do and say in my story has nothing to do with the actual lives of those people.

A/N - Thank you, my wonderful friends, who read and commented on the chapters that I already posted. My special regards to those who commented for the first time and who added this story to their favorites and story alert. It would be also wonderful to hear the thoughts of those who read the story but didn't voice their opinion yet. Thank you all.

A/N: despite my "threats" in the last chapter, I managed to write the next one in a record time. It made me a happy person and I hope you enjoy it as well.

Warning: not exactly M chapter but Jared got to play a dangerous game.

Susa, 324 BC

"You must be out of your fucking mind! How much did you drink yesterday? Was it just wine or you also enjoyed opium?" Jared was shocked.

"Calm down, I didn't say anything extraordinary."

"No? Not extraordinary?"

"Jared, I didn't say it's what going to happen, I just said that we have to consider such a possibility. If you indeed want to save Hephaistion's life, you have to examine any reason that may lead to his untimely demise."

"And this is from the man who just recently said that we should let Hephaistion die because he held Alexander back and didn't allow his genius to fly unlimited to the sky."

"Yes, I said that. May be, just may be, Alexander just realized that. However, he couldn't shatter the legend that he himself created – he and Hephaistion are Achilles and Patroclus reincarnated. So, the only way to get rid of Hephaistion is to let him die and then show the grief worthy of Achilles, show the revenge worthy of Achilles and arrange the most magnificent funeral in the history of human civilization. Heinrich Schliemann discovered the ruins of Troy following the description of Homer, Alexander killed Hephaistion also following Homer's storyline."

Jared sat heavily on the coach. He had no idea how to deal with this new development.

"I am not the expert in Iliad but I don't remember it mentioned anywhere that Achilles killed Patroclus."

"Not in so many words, Homer was a poet after all. But if you look at it realistically, Achilles should have known that he was sending Patroclus to a certain death because nobody could withstand Hector's attack but him. Who knows what their relationship was like? As a matter of fact, the more I think about it, the more logical it seems to me. Achilles was a Drama Queen, just as Alexander is; Patroclus was the one who made sure that while Achilles was whining in his tent, the Myrmidons were fed and taken care of. Exactly as Hephaistion does for Alexander's army. Achilles became afraid that the Myrmidons, who were anxious to join the battle with the rest of the Achaeans and to have their fair share in the spoils, would elect Patroclus as their new leader. So, Achilles jumped at the opportunity to get rid of this best friend and lover by sending him to a certain death. You can't argue with this logic.

Jared, all I am saying is that we shouldn't ignore this possibility. I would be happy if it's not true. I would be happy if Hephaistion simply had typhoid from which he recovers, Alexander won't indulge in unstoppable drinking and won't die either. They would live happily ever after and many other good things will happen to them and to the humankind. However, since we're having this unpleasant conversation, can I bring something else to your attention? Equally unpleasant?"

"I don't know how much more I can take," said Jared but nodded. Life, after all, wasn't a rosy dream. Bad things happened in real life, the people whom you trust most betray you in the end. What Damian suggested was sickening but was it impossible?

"You know all those celebrations that are going to take place at Ecbatana?" asked Damian.

"Yes, what about them?"

"Hephaistion is in charge of all the arrangements. Ecbatana is a former capital of Media and the satrap of that province is to help Hephaistion with everything. Do you know who the current satrap of Media is?"

"Enlighten me."

"Atropates."

"So?"

"One of his daughters is to marry at Susa. You wouldn't recall whom, would you now?"

"Damian, can you get to the point? Who is the groom?"

"The next chiliarch of the Alexander's empire!"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Your best friend Perdiccas."

"Oh….," was the only word that Jared could manage at the moment.

"Look," Damian continued, "I am not saying that Perdiccas plotted against Hephaistion's life, I am not saying that Alexander ordered Hephaistion's murder, and so on. I am just saying that we should consider all the possibilities. However, please remember this – in Oliver's movie Alexander sent Black Kleitos to kill Parmenion, in real life the orders were sent to Atropates because at the time Parmenion was in Ecbatana. Atropates followed the orders faithfully and efficiently. One of the things I remember about him from my readings in our time is that during Alexander's stay at Ecbatana after the Susa weddings Atropates arranged for thousand virgins to be sent to the king for his enjoyment. Now, about the future chiliarch. You can't deny the fact that Perdiccas craves power. He declared himself a regent after Alexander's death and he was about to marry Antipater's daughter, the same one he wanted to marry long time ago but Alexander forebode it."

"So, why he didn't after Alexander's death? Because he was killed?"

"No, because Olympia offered him the hand of Cleopatra, her own daughter. It was far better opportunity and Perdiccas obviously took it though it may cost him his life. After this move Antipater allied himself with Ptolemy."

"I thought Leonnatos was to marry Cleopatra?"

"Yes, but he died a year before Perdiccas' murder."

"So, what's your scenario? Alexander used Atropates to poison Hephaistion because he knew he was capable of such a deed? Atropates plotted with Perdiccas because he wanted his son-in-law to rise even higher at Alexander's hierarchy? Perdiccas plotted with Atropates because he knew his father-in-law won't shrink from another murder?"

"Any of the above, or maybe none, or it's even possible all three of them plotted to the same end."

"This is disgusting."

"Power struggles always are. Not everyone has a stomach for it. So, let's see what we can do about this situation. You have to use your friendship with Perdiccas. Be on his side, not Hephaistion's."

"He knows that I have a highest respect for Hephaistion. If he is planning anything, he wouldn't trust me."

"Are you really so naïve, Jared? I have a difficult time to believe it. Do you know what appearances mean? Do I have to explain such things to an actor? A very talented one, despite your unfortunate love affair with music. Perdiccas WAS always considered by everyone to be the closest of Hephaistion's friends, if he ever had one except for Alexander. So, it's either one way, or another. See what you can do."

As much as Jared hated the direction that their conversation took, he had to admit that anything was possible and it was irresponsible to play an ostrich game. He wanted to return to his own suits and think alone about this development when Alexander, all smiles and enthusiasm, appeared in the room.

"You are awake at last? Did you enjoy the party yesterday?"

"Of course, it was magnificent," Jared remembered that he was an actor after all and did his best to portray the utmost satisfaction and happiness completely erasing any signs of worries from his face. "You know how to entertain your guests and friends."

"Wait till you see the weddings, and then the festivities at Ecbatana. Those will be splendid events; people will talk about them for generations. I want to mark the beginning of the new age on an unsurpassed level. However, we are not all about the celebrations, I won't allow the luxury of my empire to be our undoing as it happened to Darius. After the weddings, we are going to explore the country to the south of Babylon, to make maps of the main rivers and confirm my power in the coastal area. When I am leaving for Arabia, I want to make sure I won't get any surprises from the backcountry. I count on you for joining this expedition."

"Of course, King Alexander," Damian thought it wise to show eagerness in following any of the Alexander's ideas.

"Ah, Gavalos, I am glad to hear this from you. I am also glad you made friends with Eumenus yesterday. It would be wise if you can learn how this empire is run and make your own contribution. I will appoint you as one of my official historians. I trust Eumenus … completely but it won't hurt to get assurances from time to time. What do you say?"

Damian took king's question for what it was, a polite order to spy on this secretary. "It would be an honor," the doctor slightly bowed and smiled at the king acknowledging the trust and letting him know the he understood the message.

"Well, then," Alexander looked satisfied, "but I have to make sure that you are in a perfect health. I've heard that Leonnatus had to take you yesterday to Glaukos, also I think that you are not as accustomed to the intensity of the Dionysus celebrations as we are. Here, take this," and the king handled a huge amethyst ring to the doctor, "this stone will guard you against the god's anger, wear it at all the time."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Damian bowed again and immediately put the ring on his finger.

Alexander watched the process and then said in a tone not bearing any objections, "Perseus here is to take you to Glaukos to make sure that you are all right, and then you'll join Eumenus. He would be expecting your company. Make sure he doesn't feel any threat from you. You may leave now, I have some matters to discuss with Laertes in private."

"Of course. Thank you for your confidence, my king, I won't let you down."

Alexander impatiently smiled and followed Damian with his eyes. When king and Jared were left alone, Alexander took the actor under the elbow and guarded him into the small private garden to which Damian's quarters were adjacent.

"I can trust him completely, can't I?" asked the king sitting on the low parapet of the fountain and inviting Jared to do the same.

"Absolutely, Your Majesty. Both of us will do anything for you and Hephaistion."

"Very well," Alexander smiled. "How about accepting a special gift from me?"

"Of course," Jared nodded not suspecting anything in particular. "What kind of the gift?"

"Bagoas."

Jared was taken aback. "I don't understand, Your Majesty. What do you mean?"

Alexander sighed and started to explain his reasoning behind this extravagant present. Upon hearing what king had to say, Jared asked, "Why don't you simply send him away to some other palace that you don't plan to visit any time soon?"

"Many reasons, besides, I already tried it once. Unsuccessfully. I am afraid that I will send back for him again. I don't want to do it. I thought of bestowing him upon some satrap or selling him into slavery but I don't want anybody to have him. He is dedicated to me now but his new master may be able to use him against me. Another way is to kill, and maybe I would resort to this solution if you didn't show up. I am sure that in your hands he won't turn against me and I would never stoop so low as to ask for him back."

"Won't he feel humiliated for being forced to serve somebody else?"

"He should consider himself lucky to be able to attract attention of two Great Kings. He knew that he couldn't enjoy my bed forever. It would be … against the custom. I would eventually find a younger boy. He should be happy that I personally arranged his fate and didn't pass him over to the Chief Harem Eunuch."

"Didn't he aspire to become a Chief Harem Eunuch himself?"

"It wouldn't be possible for the certain reasons. However, you don't have to sleep with him if you don't want to but you should know that he really knows how to take care of your body. In many different ways. If I were you, I would try all of them and then decide which one suits you better. In the meantime, I don't want to deprive you of the female company. I asked Datames, who is the Chief Harem Eunuch, to take you to the women's quarters. You can choose whomever you like."

"Your Majesty, your concern for my well being is truly overwhelming," said Jared trying to sound sincere. He really didn't need those complications in his life now. "However, rest assured, I never had any problems in finding… how I should express myself, a lovely girl to spend my time with."

"I have no doubt," Alexander smiled, "but from what Hephaistion told me about your time, it's not the same. You don't want to degrade yourself with some low wench from the barracks and you are not familiar with brothels in Susa."

"Eh, you are right, but I hoped to enjoy the company of some well educated and beautiful hetaira; I am sure that even here I will be able to find myself one."

"Yes, yes," Alexander grew impatient, "you'll able to meet many of them during the festivities in Ecbatana, but in meantime, you can choose from the royal harem, I am sure you can find somebody to your taste. You like music, right? Some of them play marvelously on many instruments, and can sing and dance. And if you don't like your first choice, you can change your mind and find somebody else. You refused to take a Persian wife so don't offend me by saying 'no' again. And please, call me Alexander, especially when we are alone."

"Yes, Alexander," answered Jared somewhat gloomy.

"Are you angry with me?" asked the king with obvious concern in his voice.

"Not at all," Jared lowered his head so that Alexander couldn't see his facial expression.

"Don't lie to me," seriously said the monarch.

"You wouldn't know if I lied to you," said Jared, laugh in his voice, and looked at Alexander, smiling. Then he widened his eyes in surprise and looked somewhere to the right of the king. "What is that?"

"Where?" asked the king turning in the direction of Jared's hand.

"There," said Jared and taking advantage of Alexander looking the other way pushed king into the fountain. Alexander yelped and fell backward but he managed to get hold of Jared at the last moment and dragged him along.

By the time they got out of the fountain after chasing each other in the water and using the poor fish as improvised missiles, the whole slew of servants and bodyguards was waiting for them on the firm grounds.

Peithon, one of the Alexander's bodyguards, who was on duty at the time, only shook his head and said to Jared, "You are lucky that it was I and not one of my officers who didn't meet you yet. You'll be dead by now."

"Listen to the man," said the king trying to get serious. "As a punishment, I'll send you my precious gift right now. He should make you presentable for the visit to the harem. I am also going to order Datames not to let you out until you choose somebody. That's all for today. Tomorrow, if you behave, you'll get to spend some time with Hephaistion." Alexander smiled enjoying the view of wet and rather disheveled Jared. Then he left, happily whistling, followed by the bodyguards and some of the servants.

x x x

"Your Highness," Jared slowly turned in the direction of melodious voice. "I gave orders to prepare a very relaxing bath in your quarters. Would you kindly allow me to follow you there and take care of you?"

Jared made his expression to be blank. He didn't want Bagoas to read anything on his face. He wasn't sure yet how to proceed with him. Whether he wanted it or not, this gift from the king required his special attention. It would be easy to humiliate and degrade him but it wasn't wise. He needed to use Bagoas to his advantage and that required some thinking. "I can do so relaxing in a bath," he thought but loudly said, "Yes, Bagoas, you are welcomed to accompany me. And after the bath I would like to have the same massage that you gave me yesterday. I hope we won't be interrupted this time, your hands are the best I ever enjoyed."

The huge bathtub was sprinkled with aromatic flowers and Jared decided to take a full advantage of Bagoas services, however it was going to happen on his own terms. When eunuch let his hands to take too much freedom in undressing the actor, Jared turned to face Bagoas and asked him in his most sensuous voice, "My lovely, I dropped my girdle in the fountain, would you kindly fetch it for me?"

Bagoas smiled, his eyes intensely on Jared, the palm of his hand gliding along Jared's arm. "Sisistra, bring the girdle," ordered the eunuch to some invisible servant.

However, it was difficult to outplay Jared. "I want it to be you," slowly said the actor and lightly touched the eunuch on the shoulder lingering with his fingers a little longer than it was necessary. Bagoas blinked in surprise but choose to follow the orders. Jared in meantime undressed and blissfully sank into the tub.

Bagoas returned after some time, disappointment in his voice. "I didn't find any girdle," he announced. "Oh, never mind," as if nothing happened said Jared, "somebody probably picked it up. Would you massage my head, I have a migraine."

Jared succumbed to the expert movement of the eunuch enjoying every second of it. He didn't have any headache but decided that a little massage won't hurt. The distraction gave him the opportunity to go over conversations he had this morning with Damian and Alexander and he came to the sad conclusion that though he didn't believe for a moment that Alexander had anything to do with Hephaistion's death, Perdiccas was a viable suspect as, unfortunately, the rest of Alexander's court.

When he decided that Bagoas' hands went too low on his body he abruptly stood in the bathtub and declared that he didn't like to be that long in the water and preferred the rest of the massage to happen in the bed. The eunuch didn't mind because he misinterpreted actor's intentions. Jared let a huge towel to be wrapped around his shoulders and went in the direction of the bed. When they reached it, the eunuch started gently dry his new master through towel but Jared didn't savor the idea. His intention was ask for wine and fruits but he realized that those items were already on a small side table near the bed.

"Too hot here," complained Jared provocatively dropping the towel to his waist. "Can you please extinguish some of the torches, I like semi darkness."

"Of course, Laertes," happily agreed the eunuch managing to press a soft kiss between Jared's shoulder blades before complying with the order. Upon his return, he found Jared on his stomach, his head happily resting on his arms.

"Take your time, Bagoas, you don't need to hurry. My muscles are still sore from the journey, I hope you can do something about it."

Despite hating eunuch for the fact that he came between Alexander and Hephaistion, Jared had to admit that he was a very skillful masseur. "Skillful in other matters too," mentally frowned the actor surmising that it should be the case. "Still, I don't understand why Alexander bedded him for so long. He had Hephaistion, what else a man could want in his life? I don't believe this shit about following the Persian traditions. All Alexander had to do was to establish his own. If he was lonely when Hephaistion was away on the long missions, he had to take Barsine to his bed and then Roxana, at least they could have given him children.

Is it possible that Hephaistion doesn't care? What if he has his own boys to pleasure him? Is it possible that the fidelity isn't a big part of their relationship? No, it can't be," he remember what Perdiccas told them yesterday when they just arrived. "Besides, Alexander virtually begged me to take the eunuch off his hands. So much for the master of the known world, can't control his fucking impulses. Now, I am stuck with Bagoas. Maybe I should ask this Frada to dispose quietly of him in the some dark corner of the harem. I am sure he would like to do this favor for his master. At least in this way I eliminate one of the numerous suspects in Hephaistion's murder and maybe in Alexander's too."

Jared would never think about taking anybody's life in his own time but he felt that the rules of the game were different in this period. If necessary, he felt that he would be able to dispose of Bagoas, or of other persons who stood in their way. At least he thought so in the moment.

Jared was so absorbed in his thoughts that Bagoas, despite all his manipulations, wasn't able to elicit any sexual response from his master. He became apprehensive because, certainly, he knew how to do this. Bagoas drew a mental picture of this beauty convulsing in pleasure at his expert touches and he was determined to get this result. But so far even his attempts to get his hands under Laertes' body were unsuccessful and he couldn't elicit a single moan of pleasure from his beautiful lips.

Bagoas had all the reasons to be concerned. To make his master his sexual slave was the only way his safety could be assured. He had no other means to protect himself or survive. When Alexander announced this morning that Laertes would be his new master, the eunuch begged the king not to give him away, professing his eternal love, devotion and desire to please the king in any ways possible. Despite all those pleas, Alexander for once was adamant and Bagoas got the impression that the king wanted to be done with this as soon as possible. In the end, he sadly accepted his fate, still expressing his undying dedication to the King of Kings.

It was a real and completely unexpected blow to Bagoas' self-esteem. He was sure that he had Alexander again completely under his influence, just as he had him the first time. He was so naïve four year ago when he was first brought to Alexander's presence and the new king took liking to him. He was enthralled at his quick success with the new king who seemed to be absolutely fascinated with Bagoas' skills in bed and couldn't have enough of him. Then, a couple months later, came the first blow – general Hephaistion returned from one of his trips on king's behalf, and the eunuch was completely forgotten.

It was a very dark period but it didn't last long. The king and his lover quarreled, and the king took Bagoas to his bed again. Unfortunately, the reconciliation of the two lovers happened too quickly and Bagoas was discarded once more. The pattern continued for some time until the army was about to move deeply into the mountains. Bagoas, at that period back in king's bed again, watched with amusement as Alexander ordered to burn all the loot and luxuries except for bare necessities. One of the slaves brought him the funny story of king's secretary Eumenus ordeal when he had to burn his tent with all the treasures, and Bagoas laughed with abandonment and lightness of the person whom disasters of other people don't concern much.

That night Alexander was particular hungry for Bagoas' caresses in bed and kept the eunuch at work all night. In the grey light of the morning, Bagoas laid in king's bed exhausted but happy. Then king woke up and gave him a tender kiss. Then he signed and admitted that it was a wonderful night and he would remember and treasure it for a long time. Bagoas heart quickened, he realized that something bad was about to happen. His suspicions turned out to be correct. Alexander announced that Bagoas, as many other eunuchs, servants and women would be left in Hyrkania in order not to slower the advancement of the army.

Bagoas was devastated. For more than three long years, Bagoas wandered aimlessly through the enormous palace in Hyrkania capital. He had his own private quarters, his own servants and enough funds in his disposal to lead a carefree life. However, he was bored and felt cheated. He spent enormous amount of time taking care of his appearance and feverishly collecting any scraps of rumors about Alexander and his progress through new territories. His patience was rewarded one day when the governor announced that Bagoas was to be a part of the train of supplies that goes to Alexander in Carmania.

Bagoas cried from happiness and made sure to look his best when he met the king again. Alexander couldn't resist the temptation. The nights were passionate and the days were spent in endless entertainments. Bagoas listened to the horror stories about months of non-stop rain in India and merciless crossing of Gedrosian desert that killed so many. For the first time he was glad that the king left him in Hyrkania, he wasn't sure he would make it. However now the future seemed bright. He was back in king's bed and favor and the stiff Macedonians, drunk on their wine and knowledge that they survived Gedrosia, cheered him and demanded that the king publicly kiss him in theatre after his unsurpassable dancing performance.

Hephaistion, unfortunately still the highest in king's favor, was now officially Alexander's second-in-command; however, it looked like their personal relationship deteriorated even further. Bagoas, slowly and subtly worked hard on increasing the gap. He was quite successful in his endeavors when unexpected intruder burst into the king's bedchamber. And now, less than two days later, this intruder was his new master. Everything unraveled so quickly that Bagoas had the difficulty to process what exactly have happened. Who was this Laertes about whom he never heard before but who was known to almost every general in king's circle? Why Alexander so suddenly decided to pass him to this man? Was he Alexander's previous lover? Was he one of his boyhood friends whom the king hold so close to his heart?

The first explanation seemed logical given the astonishing beauty of the newcomer. He looked younger than Alexander and seemed very recipient to the pleasures of the body. Bagoas thought Laertes would be an easy conquest and king looked obsessed with him. Was it possible that he would replace Hephaistion in king's heart and bed? It looked like that only unfortunately the chiliarch was to marry the youngest of the Darius' daughters thus even further strengthening his position as second only to the king. However, Bagoas knew that even those highest in king's favor could fall from the grace without any evident reason. If he could capture Laertes mind and body, he has nothing to be afraid of. If this Laertes would be first in king's favor, Bagoas had nothing to worry about. And then, who knows, if for whatever reason Alexander gets tired of Laertes, he could get back into the king's favor again. But in order for all of that to happened, Laertes needs to be seduced and enslaved.

The eunuch decided to resort to other tactics and quickly undressed. He straddled Jared and gently setting butterfly kisses on the base of Jared's neck allowed his private parts to tease the spine of his victim. The trick always worked on Darius and Alexander but to Bagoas utter surprise his master suddenly turned around and put himself into a sitting position, his feet apart but the knees joined. Elbows firmly placed on the knees and his head resting teasingly on the opened palms of his hands he asked Bagoas in a dreamy sexual voice, "Can you pleasure a woman?"

Bagoas blinked and tried to understand what was going on. Laertes seemed so eager to enjoy his services but was completely unaffected by them. True, for a long time Bagoas didn't have to pleasure any other men but Alexander and Darius but before that he excelled at submitting many different men with many different tastes to his power.

"Did I do anything wrong?" asked Bagoas trying to collect his wits.

"Oh, no," Jared pretended to be surprised and remorseful. "It was so wonderful. You put me in a mood for a woman. I think I am going to take upon Alexander's invitation now and visit royal harem. He happily smiled and broke a big grape from the wine on the table. He seductively licked it and then traced with it the middle of eunuch's body from his throat to the area below the navel. "You are such a treasure," Jared let the grape fall and blew a kiss towards eunuch's eyes. Then he slowly moved his head mesmerizing Bagoas with the insatiable flame in his eyes.

"Do you want to pleasure me?" the actor let his voice to come in a quick gasps of passion.

"Yes," Bagoas answered in trance.

"Keep dreaming," Jared said in English and smiled.

"What?" Bagoas asked, his voice breaking, "I don't understand."

"You were so good with your hangs," Jared circled the eunuch's lips with his index finger. "I have to go now, we'll talk later and I explain exactly what I want."

Jared slipped from the bed and walking away, dropped, "I will dress alone. Thank you for now."