A week passed and no one in the village caught on to Asterix being lost in thought. He still talked like he always did, saving his thoughts for when he was alone, and so only Obelix and Dogmatix had a feeling that he was thinking about Gabriella. Not even Getafix had a clue.

Finally, around the end of the week, Asterix decided to go back to Rome to get to know Gabriella more. Maybe then he could figure out why he had fallen in love with her. He secretly told Obelix of his idea, who agreed and decided to go with him.

They left and looked around Rome, hoping they could spot Gabriella outside the palace. Fortunately they did in the market, where she was shopping again.

"Gabriella!" Asterix called.

Startled, Gabriella turned around and saw Asterix and Obelix.

"Asterix?" Gabriella was surprised. "Obelix? What are you two doing here?"

"We visit Rome sometimes." Obelix shrugged.

"Besides, I realized that we don't know very much about each other." Asterix added. "And I'd like to get to know you more."

"Well...okay, I'm not expected back in the palace for a while." Gabriella smiled. "I went out early to shop so that I could have some more free time."

And so, they walked around and got to know each other. Asterix and Obelix found out how Gabriella became a slave: Julius Caesar owned the mortgage on her parents' home and they didn't have the money. To save her parents from being kicked out Gabriella offered her services as a servant without pay. Instead her wages would pay towards the mortgage. Her parents protested, but Gabriella didn't back down and Caesar agreed to the terms. That was months ago.

"And I have six more months left before the mortgage is paid off." Gabriella finished.

Asterix now realized why he had fallen in love with her: he had sensed right from the start that Gabriella was a goodhearted, selfless, and loyal woman.

They talked a while longer, and now Asterix was completely in love with Gabriella. All too soon, she had to return to the kitchens. Asterix and Obelix decided to walk around and have lunch. As they went through some narrow streets they overheard a group of men talking. Asterix and Obelix decided to hide around a wall.

"Caesar is going to the Theater of Pompey as planned." One man said.

"Excellent Brutus." The other man said. "We'd better get there so that we'll be ready when he enters."

"Right, and then the tyrant will fall and the Senate will not be disbanded." Brutus said. "Thank goodness you caught on to Caesar's lust for power Longinus."

"Indeed. We must go now." Longinus said.

He and Brutus left.

"They're going to kill Julius Caesar?" Obelix was surprised. "I wonder who the next emperor will be. Hopefully not anyone worse."

"I don't know, but I'm not going to let that chance happen." Asterix frowned. "Come on!"

Asterix ran for the theater and headed for the back of it. Obelix and Dogmatix followed. Finally Asterix stopped underneath a window that was too high for him to reach.

"Asterix, you're not really going to save Caesar are you?" Obelix whispered. "He's supposed to be our enemy."

"I know, but this is an unfair attack. They're not even going to give Caesar a chance to defend himself!" Asterix whispered back. "I can't let this injustice happen. Now boost me up."

"Be careful Asterix." Obelix said as he obeyed.

After Asterix climbed through the window he hid behind a column and waited. After a while Caesar arrived with some senators. One tried to slit Caesar's throat but Caesar ducked and grabbed the attacker's arm.

"Casca you villain what are you doing?" Caesar demanded.

"Help brother!" Casca called out.

Other senators, including Brutus and Longinus, arrived with daggers. Asterix then rushed in.

"Not so fast!" He said.

The senators, shocked, froze in their tracks. Caesar was shocked too.

"Attacking a man without warning? Who doesn't have a weapon to defend himself with?" Asterix said angrily. "That is unfair! I will not let you go through with this injustice!"

"You? A Gaul? You wish to defend this tyrant?" Longinus was surprised.

"Tyrant or no he is still a living human being and should be treated as such!" Asterix rushed forward.

The senators rushed towards Asterix and a big sword battle begun. Caesar ran for the entrance.

"Guards! Come quick! And bring me a sword!" Caesar called.

Guards rushed in, one with an extra sword. Caesar grabbed the extra sword.

"Guards, those men tried to kill me but that young Gaul arrived to protect me. Help him win the fight." Caesar ordered.

The guards entered the fight. Longinus then made a move towards Caesar and Caesar brandished his sword. They fought.

Obelix, afraid for Asterix, broke into the theater as well. He would've joined the fight but all the senators were already occupied. Plus there weren't enough there for a good fight.

The guards and Caesar soon won. Only Asterix and a senator were left. Finally the senator cut Asterix on the side with his sword, provoking Obelix into rushing forward and biffing him into the air. Obelix then caught the senator as he fell.

"Huh, even senators make more noise coming down than going up." Obelix remarked as he set the senator down. "Asterix? Are you okay?"

"Yeah...I think I am." Asterix winced, clutching his side; it was bleeding profusely.

"You don't look okay." Obelix was even more worried.

"Well, I will be." Asterix smiled.

"Guards, send these men to the lions." Caesar ordered. "Except for Brutus...only a lifetime of imprisonment for him. You too Brutus? Really?"

Brutus hung his head.

Most of the guards left with the senators. Some remained to keep an eye on Caesar just in case there was another attack.

"You men, take this young Gaul to my doctor immediately." Caesar ordered. "I'll come along. His strong friend may join us as well."

"What about my dog? I left him outside." Obelix asked, deep down relieved that Caesar hadn't called him fat.

"Very well, your dog too." Caesar agreed.

The guards gently lay Asterix on a shield and carried him back to the palace. Obelix followed and whistled for Dogmatix, who immediately ran to catch up with his master. They all went into the palace, but not unnoticed. One guard up front cowered upon seeing Obelix, until a guard who was helping to carry Asterix explained the situation. The entrance guard, stunned, repeated the story to anyone who asked. Word spread all over the city, even to the servants and slaves inside the palace. Meaning Gabriella soon heard what had happened. When she did she was overcome with shock. She sat down weakly, afraid for Asterix's life. That's when she started to realize that she was falling in love with him. She had to see him, but knew that she couldn't go to him without permission.