The boys grew up amazingly fast. If you saw them, you wouldn't believe they were twins. Patroclus was the smaller one. His disposition was so much like his mother's, but he looked almost exactly like Achilles. He was lean and strong, but not like his brother. He loved to watch and observe, never go out into something. He developed a mass of blonde hair on his head and his first word was "Ma ma". Hector on the other hand was big and boisterous. Even though he looked like Brisies he had the disposition of his father. He loved to go out and touch, fell and learn new things. He seemed to sprout more curly brown hair overnight. His first, and favorite word was "Da da". The two boys were Achilles pride and joy. He never let them out of his sight and he played with them whenever he could. He taught them to walk and by the age of 1 they could walk and talk, well not exactly talk, but close enough. Achilles loved to pick up one boy in each arm and go down to the beach. He would play with them in the sand and he would take them out into the sea, when the waves weren't too strong. Brisies just loved to watch Achilles with the boys. Everyday, he was with them and they never knew a day without him.

On the boy's first birthday, Penelope was given the job of being their nursemaid. Instead of attending to Brisies, she watched the boys when Achilles and Brisies wanted some time alone As the months went by, Hector and Pat (as they had nicknamed Patroclus) grew bigger. Brisies and Achilles would leave the boys with Penelope and they would take walks on the beach, ride horses and just spend time, curled up in bed, arms around each other. Sometimes, Brisies would walk on the beach and sit down in the sand, the waves tickling her feet. She would just look out over the horizon and ask Achilles not to disturb her. She would spend hours looking out over the sea, watching the waves go in and out. She began to do this more and more often and it bothered Achilles. He was worried about her, so he sent Cassandra to talk to her and see what was the matter.

Cassandra sat down in the soft sand next to Brisies.

"Achilles sent you. I know it, please," she added noticing Cassandra wanted to protest "don't argue we both know it." Cassandra closed her mouth. After a minute, she spoke again.

"Brisies, he's worried about you. You have become so secluded lately. What's the matter?" Brisies sighed.

"I miss my family. I miss Paris and his late night escapades. I miss Andromache and her wise words of wisdom when I needed them. I miss Uncle Priam and his dedication to the gods," here she faltered, "But most of all, I miss Hector, his wisdom, his kindness, his words of comfort, his swordplay with Paris, his arguments with Priam, his love for his son and Andromache…" A tear rolled silently down her cheek. Cassandra hugged her.

"I can tell you miss them, and I don't blame you, but you must be strong, for Achilles, Little Hector and Patroclus. They want you to be happy, they don't want to see you sad and feeling alone." Brisies let more tears fall.

"I love him, with all the love I possess and I love my boys, you and I know that, but, there's a gap in my heart that's missing and I don't know if I can fill it." She started to sob a little harder and Cassandra held her close, stroked her hair and soothed her until a small serving boy interrupted them.

"L-Lady B-B-B-Brisies," he stammered, "Lord A-A-Achilles wants to see you, in his chamber, n-n-now." Brisies nodded.

"Very well," she sighed, and she headed up to the castle with Cassandra.

Cassandra went back into the village, and Brisies climbed up the marble stairs to the palace. It was dark and she could barely find her way around and she wondered why Achillies had put out the torches. She made her way up the grand staircase and went to the bedroom door. The door was locked.

'Achilles," she called, "are you in there?" There was a bolt being slid, the door opened and Brisies was pulled into the room and the door was shut and locked behind her. She gasped. The sight that met her eyes was horrifying. Achilles lay on the bed, with the two boys sleeping on his chest. There was a figure in the shadows, pointing a bow and arrow at Achilles' heart. Everyone was silent for a moment, then the person in the shadows stepped forward. Brisies' eyes went wide. There was a man standing there, with a rugged appearance about him. He has a beard and curly brown hair that was a little tangled. His robes were dusty and we had worn out sandals on his feet.

"Paris!" she exclaimed. He nodded solemnly. 'What, I don't understand, why…" he cut her off.

"Brisies, sit down, this is going to be a while." Brisies sat. "After I left you, Helen, Andromache, and some other Trojans and I ran. We ran until the sun rose and dawn came. Finally we settled at the base of Mt. Ida and made camp. We have started a small city there. More people have come and the city has grown. Once I heard about your good fortune," he gestured to the boys, " I knew I had to come and see for myself. As it is I found him here, where I expected to find you." Paris paused. "He killed my brother, Brisies, he killed my brother! This was the perfect time for revenge, but I knew you would want to see this." He raised his bow again.

"No," whispered Brisies. "Paris, no, no no!" she yelled. He seemed to not hear her. She lunged at him knocking him off balance and the arrow went flying. They wrestled for a bit, then finally Paris had her down.

"You stopped me once. I don't intend to let you do it again," he snarled. Paris' hand went up and Brisies could feel the blood forming in her mouth as he hit her. There was a whirl of color and Paris flew off Brisies. She saw Achilles pinning him down easily, one hand on his throat, the other pinning his hands above his head. Brisies didn't know what to do.

"Stop!" she yelled. Achilles took his hand off of Paris' neck and Paris gasped for air. "Paris, leave. Now." Brisies said in as forceful a voice as she could manage. Achilles got off of him and picked him up by his collar. "Go." He said, letting go of Paris' robes. Paris turned to Brisies and gave her a look of pure hate, then turned and ran from the room. Brisies sat down on the edge of the bed and started to shake. Achilles went to her and wrapped his arms around her and examined her jaw.

"Shhh, shhh it's ok. He's gone I'm ok, you're ok and the boys are fine. Everything is fine." Achilles stroked her hair and Brisies clung to him, shaking.

"I almost lost you. I almost lost Hector. I almost lost Pat. I shouldn't have left Troy with you…" Achilles stopped stroking her hair and looked into her eyes.

"I killed his brother, he has a right to want revenge. This is not your fault."

"Yes it is! I love you, you are his enemy, and now I have to choose between them and you. I can't leave my boys, but by staying here I'm putting them, and you in danger. I can't stay, I have to leave." She stood up and turned to leave. Achilles grabbed her arm and pulled her close.

"I lost you once. I'm not loosing you again," he said. Brisies looked into his eyes, and Achilles looked back at her and kissed her.

"I love you," he said. Brisies closed her eyes and let him kiss her again.

"I love you too." She kissed him back and she remembered why she had left Troy for him.

"Before I left for war, you wanted me to promise you something," said Achilles. "Now I'm asking you to promise me something."

"Anything."

"Never leave me, or the boys. If we have to, we'll all flee together, but I won't loose you again." He held Brisies closer.

"I promise," she said. Achilles smiled.

"I've sent that smile before," said Brisies. Achilles picked up the boys and took them to the nursery. He told Penelope to look after them, then he came back into the room. Brisies knew what was on his mind.

When Achilles walked in, there was Brisies, lying on the bed, de-robed, waiting for him. He took off his tunic and climbed into bed next to her. He kissed her solidly on the lips and his hands started to caress her body. She ran her hand through his hair and pulled his lips even closer to hers. He caressed her back, stomach and chest. His calloused hands explored her, just the way he had back on the beach in Troy. He started to kiss down her jaw, to her neck, lower and lower. Down between her breasts, down her stomach, to her very center. He back arched as he started to kiss her. His hands caressed her and she closed her eyes. He kissed his way back up to her mouth, covering her mouth with his. Her hands roamed his chest and back, the sweat starting to drip off his back. She found what she was looking for and squeezed gently. He moaned and kissed her harder. She squeezed a bit more and then let go. He slowly pushed into her and she closed her eyes. It didn't hurt as much, but he could still stretch her out. He moved his hips back and forth slowly, his hands still roaming over her body. He pushed in a bit harder, her back arching with each thrust. Brisies moaned. Achilles started to push faster and harder, Brisies moaning louder and louder with each thrust. The sweat started to form on their bodies, Brisies couldn't hold on any longer. She knew what would push him over the edge. She moaned out his name as seductively as she could manage and they both started to shudder, rocked by the passion of the night.