AN: In the movie, Wolfgang Petersen showed off Achilles and Hector's skills at war through the fight scenes. The "shop talk" in this chapter is used to the same effect. Just in case you're wondering. nat.

Chapter 3

Achilles strode into the restaurant where he was to have lunch with Hector. He was early, but to his surprise, Hector was even earlier. And what more, sitting across from Hector was a beautiful young woman, part of her curly brown hair pulled to the back of her head and held in place with a simple barrette, a clean-cut blue summer dress hugged every curve and swell of her body. Her delicate fingers rubbed against the stem of her glass flute of white wine as she listened to something that Hector was saying with a radiant smile on her face. 'Bloody bastard beat me to it again. That's one good looking chick. Probably brought her in to show her off,' Achilles thought good-naturedly as he headed towards them.

"Hello there."

Hector spun around in his seat. "Oh, you're early!"

"Not as early as you are."

Hector chuckled. "Achilles, meet my sister, Briseis. Bri, this is Achilles, my best friend from college."

"Pleasure to meet you," Achilles said kissing the top of her hand.

"Ah, the pleasure is mine," Briseis replied, her tone strong with suggestion. Achilles looked up, startled at the sensual undertone of her words."I'm so happy to be able to finally put a face to that infamous name that is always on my brother's lips. I've heard so much about you."

"All good, I hope?"

"Is there anything bad that I should know about?" Again, Achilles sensed a hint of a double entendre in Briseis's casual joking. Achilles knew he was handsome, he knew his way with women. Under any other circumstances, he would have taken her up on her suggestion, but this is his best friend and boss's sister. Playing it off, Achilles ignored her double entendres.

Hesmiled, taking a seat. "No, nothing that I can think of."

"I'm so glad that you two are getting along. Briseis just came into town." Until then, Hector had watched the exchange between Achilles and Briseis carefully, wary ofand for both his best friend and his sister.

"Oh really? When did you arrive?"

"Just the day before."

"How do you like Los Angeles so far?"

"It's not too bad. Beautiful people everywhere."

Achilles grinned. "You should fit right in then."

Briseis blushed. Achilles had an obvious, easy-going kind of charm that caught her off-guard. "I haven't really looked around yet. I want to though, but Hector is too busy to take me around and Andromache has to take care of Astyanax."

"Why don't you get Achilles to show you around town, Bri?" Hector suggested.

"Well, I…"

"You don't mind showing my little sister around would you?"

"No, of course not."

"That's your new project for the next few days, my man. If you're not too busy."

Achilles look up at the beautiful woman in front of him. 'She's Hector's sister which means she is a hundred and ten percent off limits.' But her sweet smile and warm brown eyes in that heart-shaped face was drawing him in like a maelstrom. "Not at all, Hector. I'd love to show Briseis around."

Hector smiled. "Alright, on with business. How's Gavelin's film coming? I heard he was having some problems negotiating with the cast about their pay."

"You heard right," Achilles grumbled. "Gavelin wants Brad Pitt to play his lead yet he doesn't want to pay the man. Pitt's agent is thrown a shit fit"

"Isn't his a new agent? Rob Davis? I heard he's known to be quite the negotiator?"

"Negotiator? That man's a butcher! He asks for an arm and a leg. Just because he's got a few stars some good deals, he thinks he's the shit."

"Pitt can be tricky to deal with anyway regardless of the agent. His demand is too high."

"Tell me about it," Achilles agreed.

"I thought we gave Gavelin quite a budget to work for this film. What the hell is he blowing it on?"

"Special effects. You know how Gavelin's a fanatic when it comes to that."

"They're what makes his films so great."

"Not if he's going to spend all his money on it! You've gotta know your limit. But directors, you know how they're like, stubborn as bulls."

"Tell him to use an unknown if Pitt's too costly."

"That goes back to what I was saying about him being stubborn. He says that he must have Pitt as that role."

"Okay, he's not giving way on either, then what does he want?"

"He wants you to pay him more."

"I've already gave him more than I usually do for a film," Hector was saying when his phone rang. "Excuse me. Hello?…I'm at lunch with Achilles and Bri…calm down, Andromache…what do you mean "there's something wrong with Astyanax"? Where's Gina?…What do you mean you gave her the day off? Why would you give the nanny a day off when you're home alone with Astyanax?…Give him something to play with…He doesn't? Did you check his diaper?…Okay, stop crying, honey. We can figure this out…Give him his pacifier…No, huh?…Is he breathing?…Well, get him to the doctor since he's throwing up! What are you waiting for, woman?…Why's your car in the shop? What's wrong with it?…No, I can't come home, it's an hour drive, and I've got work!…Of course I care about my son. I love him, don't you go laying that guilt trip on me…Okay…Andromache, honey, please stop crying…Jesus! Knock on wood, he's not going to die!…Alright, alright. I'll see you in an hour okay?…Hang tight. I love you ."

"Gotta run?" Achilles asked.

Hector nodded running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Marna," Hector waved to the manager. "Can you have the valet bring my car to the front? I'm in a bit of a hurry." Once she had left, Hector turned back to his two companions. "Baby problems. Astyanax is throwing up everything he's eating. I'm sorry I have to cut this short."

"It's okay, we'd be fine," Briseis replied. "Go take care of Astyanax."

"Do you want me to talk to Gavelin?" Achilles asked.

"No, I'd have a talk with him when I come back. Just show Briseis around."

Achilles nodded.

Hector ran for the door of the restaurant just as the food arrived.

"Can we get this to go?" Briseis asked pointing to Hector's meal.

"Certainly, madam," the waiter replied taking back the plate with Hector's food on it.

"You don't mind ifwe drop by the studio later and give this to my brother, do you?"

"No, not at all. Actually, if you don't mind, I just have a few loose ends that I want to tie up there before I take you around."

"Enjoy your meal," the second waitress who had brought them the rest of their food said as she retreated.

"Thanks," Briseis said, flashingthe waitress a bright, genuine smile. Achilles watched intently. 'What a strange girl. In this city of sophistication, her sense of naïve innocence shines through like a beacon. It's kind of endearing.' But a second, more prominent and stern voice quickly emerged from the back of his brain. 'Watch it, Achilles. She's pretty, but there's a million pretty faces in town. This friendship must be completely platonic otherwise it'd ruin everything.'

"Achilles?"

"Hmm? Sorry, I was just thinking about something."

"About work?"

"I guess you could say that," Achilles replied carefully.

"Ah, so you're a workaholic like my brother, like both my brothers actually."

"Guilty," Achilles replied with a sheepish grin.

"You know what, I want to see the studio anyway, especially since I'm going to work there soon."

"You're working there?"

"Yeah, Hector said he'd give me a job until I find something I like better. But he's giving me a few days to settle down and look around first while he decides what he wants me to do."

"Well, I'm sure you'd have fun. It's a crazy business, films, but you're constantly interacting with different people and facing new situations. I learn at least one new thing everyday."

"What have you learnt today?" Briseis asked.

"That my best friend has such a pretty sister and never introduce her to me."

Briseis blushed. "Thank you, Achilles. You're too sweet."

'Shit, did I say that aloud? I swear to God that I was only thinking it in my mind. I hope she doesn't think too much about that comment.' "Um, yeah, well, I only speak the truth," Achilles replied distracted. Across the room he spotted their rival, Menelaus, head of Sparta Studio who was happily chatting away to a very familiar looking blond.