The sun had just peeked in through the grated window when Cornelia opened her eyes. Her dark unbound hair flowed across her face and her husbands chest where her head was cradled. His chest gently rose and fell in time to his steady breathing. she shifted her position and saw the greying stubble before seeing his very young clear blue eyes looking down at her.

"It's time you graced Rome with your presence again," he said.

Cornelia nodded slightly."You want me to groundwork for you, or for Sextus."

"Oh, for Sextus, for now. You'll keep Rome wondering about me."

"You aren't coming?" Cornelia asked, frowning slightly at the thought of being parted from Magnus just when they could actually enjoy each other.

"Yes. I just have to decide how to do it."

"You don't want to ride with me?" she querried, with an internal twinge.

Magnus chuckled. " Of course, I would prefer to ride with you, but as a sick man I can't very well be seen on a horse. I have never had to ride in a carriage and I don't if my reputation can take that. At least Sextus had the grace to bring me home in an Army Wagon, and I won't have my Patrician wife in one."

******************************

A message arrived with the warm bread, jam, and honey for breakfast in Sextus and Porcia's suite.

" Prepare to return to Rome," was scratched on it.