Russell had been Christmas shopping. It was difficult to be discreet about what exactly he had been purchasing when he knew the reports of where he had been would be all over the wires the next morning, not to mention that Dominic would be hovering about nosing into everything he brought back. As a result,  Mark's room was full of bags and he was not amused about the mess, his disciplined sense of order being compromised by the casual way his boss just dumped anything anywhere.

Wandering into his own lounge Russell wondered where everyone was. No sign of Ash or Dominic. Peace for once. He felt disappointed. What the fuck was he going to do now for the rest of the afternoon? He seemed to have lost the capacity to amuse himself without them. What did he used to do for fun when stuck endlessly in hotel rooms. He chuckled to himself. Mostly raise hell. Perhaps not. Okay then - what else? Maybe watch a film? Game of cards with the boys? He shook his head. That one was no fun without a drink.

He flung himself down and switched on the TV, flicking through the dozens of hotel and satellite channels available. Fuck-all worth watching. Why was there always a correlation between the amount of crap put out increasing the more channels that were available? His hand alighted on a couple of scripts lying on the chair beside him. Glancing down he frowned; he didn't remember them being sent to him.

Picking them up curiously, he looked at one. Working Title: Achilles and Hector. He frowned. Then the second: Hannibal. He opened it. Read a few pages. Not Lecter- Hannibal. This was the one with the elephants. Wonder if that's where Dominic got his idea for an elephant, he mused. But how could he? He couldn't read - unless Ash was telling him the story at bedtime. He had heard her telling him the legend of the Minotaur the other night. Who but Ash would tell a two-year old a Greek legend about a half-man half-bull who ate young people whole? Mind you, Dominic had loved it.  Ash had claimed it was an allegory. Russell reckoned she was implying the Minotaur was him but he had decided not to question that one too closely.

He opened the scripts and read first page. These hadn't come through the usual channels. How had Ash got hold of them first? A classical epic would never get past his agent anyway. They knew his feelings about ever wearing a dress again. He would just say. Seen Gladiator? Done it. Not doing it again. The Hannibal one rang a bell, though. His name had been mentioned in conjunction months ago - he had refused it unseen. Hadn't he heard something about Vin Diesel beingconsidered? Why the fuck was the script here now then?

There was a loose sheet in one of them that he pulled out and read.

Dr. Connor,

Your name had been passed to us following your impressive work as historical advisor on the Oscar winning motion picture 'Gladiator'. Hannibal is an epic set at a similar period and we would like to offer you a commission on the technical team of this forthcoming production. You will find that you have worked with many of the other members of the crew before....

Ash had scrawled in the margin. Same period? You are joking! Four hundred years earlier! Read a book!

He stared at the letter in his hand. What the fuck was going on? Ash was negotiating behind his back to take on jobs that would keep them apart for months at a time? He felt the familiar grip of an old sense of despair. This was how it always went. A point came along when they found that the demands of being his partner somehow were at odds with how they wished to live their life. And he was always the demon who was denying them the right for a career and to make their own choices. Was everything going to disintegrate now? She knew he would not accept her working away from him. It was the way he was wired. It had been implicit in everything they had ever talked about sicne the very beginning. He would not let her take Dominic to some film set in the back of fucking beyond.

Chain smoking, he sat on thinking, stoking up his temper.

Ash and Dominic were in the giant Nike department store on Oxford Circus. Dominic had just grasped the notion of Christmas presents and had announced that he wanted to buy something for his Dad. They had been discussing it as they had sat in the car on the way in. Dominic had gone through a litany of inappropriate gifts starting with a car, through helicopter, guitar, some beer and a horse. He had even suggested a packet of cigarettes. Then he had run out of ideas.

"Dom, have you got any money?" Ash had asked him.

He shook his head. She smiled across opening her purse. 

"Right. I will give you ten pounds. That's a lot of money for a little boy. But you can't buy a car with it or a helicopter. They cost a lot more than ten pounds. Let's go to a big shop and ask them what they've got for your money."

So they had gone to the Nike shop and Ash had stopped a young female staff member at the door who was greeting shoppers. "My son has ten pounds and wants to buy  a Christmas present for his Dad. Can you suggest anything in his price range?"

"What does your Dad like?" The girl crouched down and asked Dominic.

"Beer." Dominic answered, quick as a flash.

She laughed. "None of that here, I'm afraid. Does he like sport?"

Dominic thought. "Footie," he replied.

The young girl had a think. "Ten pounds, you say? Does he wear baseball caps?"

Ash burst out laughing. "Perfect! Dom, Dad always wears caps! I should have thought of that!" Mission accomplished. 

One bright red cap later and Dominic was sitting on the counter chatting up the girl and another one on the till. He handed over his ten pounds and carried on telling them the story of his life so far.

"My Dad's horse is Honey. I'm going to Oz to see Honey. I'm going on a big plane. My Dad's got a hurting eye..." On and on he rambled with the two girls lapping it up. Ash was amazed. It suddenly occurred to her that he was flirting with these young women - trying to impress them at aged two and a half.  There were no doubts where he got his genes from! They were just finishing the transaction when one of the bodyguards came up and whispered something in Ash's ear. The girl said to Dominic, "Is that your Dad then?"

She could see his thought process as clear as day on his little face but before Ash could shut him up, he announced at the top of his voice, " NO! My Dad's Wussell Cwowe!"

The whole queue heard it and fell silent. Dominic got the message. People always listened when he said that. "...And he's got a big..." Ash clamped her hand over his mouth and grabbed him with a quick thank you to the young girl. God only knew what he was about to announce about his father next, especially considering his current obsession with genitalia.

Dominic's next bright idea was buying a present for Mark. This time he knew what he wanted - a Teddy bear. He insisted. Mark didn't have a Teddy bear in his bed and there was no dissuading him. A Teddy bear it was.

"He always hides my Teddy in his bed. I think he wants a Teddy," said Dominic with his own peculiar brand of logic; Ash knew Mark would actually be delighted. In his own laconic way, he adored Dominic too.

The door to the suite burst open and in came Ash and Dominic with two bodyguards who would have had a hard time protecting anyone's body at the moment laden as they were with shopping bags.

"Dad! We bought you a present!"

"Dom! Shut up! You said you wouldn't tell him! It's a surprise," Ash moaned.

Dominic ran up to Russell who quickly stubbed out his cigarette. "I can't tell you what it is! It's a surprise," he whispered, a definite loud stage whisper in that rather patronising way Dominic put on when he thought he had one over on you. Despite his anger, Russell had to smile. Dominic was so perfect. He didn't want to miss a single day of his life. And she was going to take him away...

"You back already? Just don't have the stamina for shopping, do you? You're a lightweight compared to us..." Ash joked but she saw the darkening look on his face straight away.  "What's the matter?" Ash could see the look on his face. Most people ran for the shelters when Russell looked like this.

"We need to talk. Alone." He had his voice on. It could shatter glass.

"Why?"

"Just get one of the men to keep an eye on him. NOW!"  Ash blinked a few times as he shouted that in her face and she pulled Dominic to the door.

"Mark, can you just entertain Dom for five minutes? Something's up." And then she lowered her voice. "What's up with him? Something happen while you were out?"

Mark looked surprised. "No. He was in his element. Spending money. You know how he likes to do that. He was fine when he came back."

"Well, he's fit to burst now. Wonder what I've done?"

Mark shrugged and laughed. "Fuck only knows with him, luv," he commiserated.

Ash returned to the lounge and sat down. He was lighting up again and she could recognise the concealed fury in him. She knew it wouldn't be concealed for long.

"What are these?"

Ash looked at the scripts thrown onto the coffee table. Her heart thudded. Had she left them out? Damn!

"Scripts."

"I can fucking see that. Why are they here?"

Ash swallowed hard. She hadn't told him because it was nothing to do with him. 

"I was contacted independently by two production companies about these films. Seems I have a reputation. I am an historian. I have worked on an award winning film. I am familiar with film sets and the film world. I mean - I'm your fiancée so it has obviously raised my profile. People remember my name now. Surely you can work that one out for yourself?" Ash hadn't meant to be so sarcastic but it just came out. She always did say the wrong thing when she was in a corner and feeling guilty.

"When are they scheduled?" His face was set, his chin raised belligerently.

"I couldn't do both. They will film at similar periods."

"When are they scheduled?" He repeated the question. His voice was low and quiet but she wasn't fooled. This was the calm before the storm.

"Next year. Spring or something like that. Six to nine months in production."

"Where?"

"Achilles in Yugoslavia - or whatever they call it now. Hannibal in ...I think Mexico."

"For six to nine months?"

She nodded.

"We're getting married. I've got a film in the US and then I'm in the South fucking Pacific. Not to mention the months of publicity for Far Side. Looks like a very short marriage..."

"Russ... I..."

"Shut the fuck up."

"Pardon?"

"I said shut the fuck up. I'm speaking. I won't allow you to do it. You are not accepting either of those. And I warn you. Open your mouth now and you'll be sorry."

"Oh, I will, will I? Well, I just have. Opened my mouth. Don't you dare walk away from me now...! "

Russell had turned to walk into the bedroom and Ash grabbed his arm to pull him back. He spun round and pushed her from him; she stumbled back over a chair and fell onto the floor.

"Ash, you OK? Christ, I didn't mean to..." He rushed to pick her up, Ash pulled away from him.

"...Then you'd better stop and think before you start throwing your weight around! I am not some menial who has annoyed you. Stop acting like a baby. You're worse than Dominic! He at least listens to what people say."

Russell put on that defiant look of his but sat down and made a motion with his hand. It was dismissive but it said 'Go on, then. Speak.'

Ash sat down facing him and composed herself. "I was approached about this before we left Baja. I didn't say anything because my initial reaction was to say no - which I did. Then they started bombarding me and raising the fee and then the scripts arrived..."

"You don't need the fucking money. I earn..."

"You shut up and listen for once! I know what you earn, hotshot. This is not about you. The scripts arrived just before we left. I threw them in the luggage and came upon them this morning. I was curious. Bound to be. I love the Iliad."

"The what?"

"Homer."

"Thought that was The Odyssey."

"That was the sequel. The Iliad is the Trojan War. Achilles and Hector is the pivotal story. It's perfect for the screen- if they have the guts to explore the gay subtext."

His interest was immediately engaged. Russell couldn't resist a good story.          

"Achilles and Hector were good mates then?"

Ash grinned. "No. They were mortal enemies.  Hector was the heir to Troy. Achilles was the champion of the Greeks, the greatest warrior alive and the prettiest to boot - the most eligible bachelor in Ancient Greece. You'd never have been considered, mate - you're not pretty enough - Pitt has signed."

"With his new Grizzly Adams look?" Russell grinned back, barometer dropping slightly.

"Hardly. Gonna have more blond hair than Aubrey and not a whisker in sight...Hector killed Achilles' lover in combat. So Achilles is out for revenge in the story..."

"... So he wasn't interested in the ladies? That will never play if Pitt's in it."

"Well, he was a Greek. He bent both ways. The other pivotal story is how Agamemnon (the leader of the Greeks)  took a beautiful slave girl from Achilles and he had a tantrum and refused to fight  for the Greeks - hence Patroclus, his boyfriend, donned his armour and fought and died in his place. The result is one of the most famous books of Homer "The Wrath of Achilles."

"So he was bi. Could play. If Pitt's got the guts to feel some bloke up," Russell sniggered at the thought. "The other one?"

"Hannibal. Based on Ross Leckie's formidable novels. I'd give anything to be part of that. I mean that's Roman era and a fascinating story. Hannibal taught the Romans how to fight in effect. Max wouldn't have had a chance against old Hannibal. My favourite general - probably the greatest of all time."

"Look, Ash. I can see the temptation. But..."

"Russell, I'm not tempted! Interested but not tempted. I said no - over and over. I just read the scripts out of curiosity. Not a good idea. I have scrawled my comments all over them. They so need a decent advisor  but it won't be me. I'm not best qualified for the Greek period anyway - the Bronze Age is not my field - although I would love to get to know Mr. Pitt better! But, the Hannibal one is seriously alluring. You read my book. You know how I feel about Hannibal - and I am a military historian first and foremost..."

"...But you said no." He repeated that as if to confirm that he had heard it right.

"Yes. That's why I never told you. I just didn't see the point in bothering you with it. I know how you are. I do not intend to work in my field again. I may write. I probably will. I will certainly continue my research and may occasionally go off to look at new stuff and visit libraries for materials. And you will accept that and support me when I do. But I will not do anything that might mean a long separation. However, I do not guarantee that I will be there holding your hand every minute of every day. We need a break from each other occasionally."

Russell snagged a cigarette and lit up thoughtfully. "That's some sacrifice, Ash. To give up everything you've ever worked for - the chance of a lifetime to work on a film that is really your special field. I don't think I can ask that of you. Do it. We'll work something out, if it's just one film. We can put off a baby for another year..."

Her eyes filled with tears; she covered them with her palms. He slipped off the chair and knelt on the floor before her.

"I'm sorry, Ash. I'm so fucking selfish. I never see anything from other people's point of view. Baby, this marriage will only work if we share. I'm not going to let myself bully you until you're beaten down. I don't want that kind of woman. Do the film. I'll see if I can muck around with my schedule. Maybe they'll give me a small part, eh? Soldier # 24 who gets killed in the first battle? Or I can come with you, stay in the hotel and fight with Dominic while you're out at work." He stroked her face and smiled. Ash uncovered her eyes.

"I'm not doing it, Russ. Not for anything. It's not about you bullying me. It's not the chance of a lifetime. We are the chance of a lifetime. Films come and go. I want another baby. It's time. Dom will be more three by the time the next one's born, even if I start now. That's a good distance. Russ, I've already missed my shots. Let's just see what happens, hey?"

His eyes registered surprise. He exhaled slightly; it sounded almost like a whimper.

"You sure? About the film?" Ash nodded.

"And about the baby?" Another nod.

"Can you please tell me next time when you are or are not going make a momentous decision that will change our lives?" He warned in a cautionary tone.

"I was going to tell you. My shot was only due a week ago. It will take longer than that to get pregnant. We'd better take precautions for a while, though I think it's better to wait until a certain time has passed to ensure a safe pregnancy."

He raised his eyes. "You better get out and buy some frangers then. I'm certainly not queuing up at the tills in Boots. Enough is already known about my private life as it is." They grinned and Ash wriggled into his arms; they fell to the floor and rolled about, just holding each other and kissing.

"Russ. Thanks."

"Hmm?" He was more interested in nibbling her neck.

"For what you said. For giving me the chance to say no. For offering to arrange things for me. Means a lot to me, you know," she whispered as she stroked the hair back from his face.

"It's always the best way. Pretend to be self-sacrificing and the sheilas always fall for it. Actually, I knew you wouldn't do it!"

Ash laughed. "I don't believe you. You meant that. That was you being honourable..."

"...I'm a great actor, luv. The best. Conning women is easy meat for me," he smirked.

But she knew he had meant it. He wouldn't be so flippant had he not been serious. That was Russell's style. When he was joking then he was hiding his true feelings. She had a surge of something indefinable at what he had said. It was there at last - the missing link in the chain. The last piece of the puzzle.  At last she felt they were partners.

"Mum!! Mum!!" Dominic jumped on them as they were lying on the carpet. 

"Stop kissing! Mum! Mark says I can go to the swings. Can I go to the swings with Mark?"

It was very cold outside. It would be dark in an hour. Russell and Ash looked at each other. An opportunity not to be missed.

"Let's wrap you up warm - but you have to behave for Mark," Ash sprang up and found his outer clothing, zipping him up, fitting on his gloves and plonking a woolly hat on his head. "Do not take that hat off! Your ears will drop off on a cold day like this," Ash tied a scarf around his neck. He looked like a little Eskimo.

Russell lay on his side and looked at his son. "Hey, don't take your pants off either, mate. Your willy might drop off and then you'd be a girl!" He giggled and so did Dominic. Ash thumped him as she dragged Dominic through to the bathroom. Toilet. Should have thought of that. Stripping through the layers to make sure he didn't have to take his pants down in the park. The cold always makes men wee.

Alone at last, Ash snuggled up in his arms and they snogged shamelessly, giggling and tickling each other. She sat on his knee and played with his hair while they discussed wedding plans and what to do about their honeymoon; Russell wanted to take Dominic with them, Ash said definitely not. The two sets of grandparents would love to have him to themselves for a couple of weeks and, after all, he would be bored in a luxury hotel resort.

"And, of course, if he's around we wouldn't be able to fuck like rabbits," Ash observed.

Russell snorted. "S'what we should be doing now. D'ya think we're past it?"

"Speak for yourself, mate. I'm in my prime. Hey, I hope you haven't got me under false pretences. I bet I marry you and you turn into a right, boring old fart. Once a week if I'm lucky and then with the lights off and under the covers..."

"You are joking, love. You promised me a virgin on my wedding night. Deliver the goods or find me a sacrificial victim. I want quivering female, amazed by the size of my dick and trembling with fear and unfulfilled longing..." Russell lay back and carried on in that florid vein, amusing himself with his fantasy deflowering.

"Well, I want Prince Charming. So no scruff, untrimmed hair, nicotine breath, overindulgence in booze- 'cos if you fall asleep on me, you're dead- so you better take care of yourself over Christmas. Lose a few pounds, get plenty of sleep and... separate rooms until the wedding night..."

"Fuck, Ash. That's a bit drastic. I'll be in a bad mood all the holidays."

"Normal behaviour, then! Russ, it will up the ante. We will both be gagging for it by then. And I promise I'll struggle and cry if you want while you deflower me. I'll wear something really provocative and might even swoon. You can do a Rhett Butler on me. Definitely no sex until then - it's a great idea! No need for frangers if we're not doing it. Brilliant. And I'll be tight so it will feel better."

"You're always tight." He ran his hand down the seam line of her jeans and then between her legs.

"Aren't you the lucky one?" Ash pulled his hand away. "They stitched me up well after Dom. But even tighter. Wouldn't it be a laugh if you knocked me up on our honeymoon?"

"Romance, Ash. You forgot that. Knocked up is hardly the language I expect of my virgin bride. Deflower. Shed my seed. Impregnate you with my child. Can we have some poetry here?"

She ruffled his hair. "You are a whinger, Crowe. A big softie. OK. No crude stuff. But that means you can't shout obscenities and demand anything kinky. Not for the first night at least. Perhaps you'd work better from a script? You always look so much more convincing in the movies!"

Russell flipped her over his knee and proceeded to spank her. Ash struggled and laughed, trying to escape but not strong enough to stop him.

"What's that for, you big lug?"

"Felt like it. Jesus, you have a great arse. Can't we have a fuck now and start the no sex policy later?" he growled playfully.

Ash rolled over on his knee and stretched baring her midriff, touching the floor with her hands. "Is that an answer?" He murmured, running his hands under her jumper to get at her naked flesh.

"I'm thinking. It might be an infringement of the rules."

"We make the fucking rules. They start tomorrow. 0900 hours. Synchronise your fucking watches..."

Ash giggled. "And if I don't agree?" She pulled her tongue out at him and deftly executed a back handstand off his knee onto the floor; Ash was as flexible as a gymnast - years of ballet as a child. But Russell was quick. He was on to her and had her on her back pinned down under him in seconds.

"Right, get out of that one! 

She couldn't have. She didn't want to. But she wasn't giving in with out a fight.

"You wouldn't dream of forcing me in a million years!" She taunted.

"Wouldn't I?"

"No, you wouldn't, actually. But if you want to force me, you have my permission to ravish me."

He smiled and shook his head. "I don't want to do that right now. Maybe later. Now I just want to lie here and love you. Nice and easy. Smooth and slow. Bit of sexy music and ease myself in." He rolled away and selected a CD, an Ella Fitzgerald, and he pulled her up to dance. Dancin- the best prelude to sex there was. Russell and dancing - what a combination! He often romanced her this way, singing softly in her ear while working his magic on her body, swaying hypnotically to the rhythm.

He was hard against her but in no hurry - she knew the style. He wanted to make it last until they couldn't breathe for desire and finally gave in to their hunger. He would make her come over and over again until she was limp with passion and he could then allow himself the sweet torture of release. She smiled and leant her head against his shoulder, letting him lead her, make his moves, take control. It's what he always did best.

That was that. Arrangements had been made for all of her family to fly out in a few weeks. Reconciliation now achieved; it was time for the next step. The word was out in the media; official statements had been made. A few pictures of the three of them were allowed but discreetly handled. It was time to go. Ash was determined now - no longer afraid and apprehensive about the future, calm and secure instead. He was ready and so was she. It was time for the future to begin.

They boarded the plane with a sense of expectancy despite the miserable November afternoon and the long boring flight ahead. Dominic was quiet for once, on medication for a slight cold and it was making him drowsy. Good - any chance of it lasting twenty- four hours? Not much. They settled down, chatted quietly, felt at peace. Both picked up books and read awhile, Ash curled up against Russell, he stroking her hair. As the private jet crossed Europe leaving cold winter for summer in the southern hemisphere, they fell asleep. Dominic stirred; Ash picked him up and rocked him back to sleep. The three of them slept on, Dominic settling in between his Mum and Dad. A family on their way home - at last.