Antony was on his way home, surrounded by friends, clients and his lictors as co-Consul for the year. Caesar had fussed at him for buying up Pompey's glorious house at knock-down prices, after the Great One's death; but it suited him down to the ground. No worries about glorious, gaudy decorations - all that marble, gold leaf, shining brass, ready for occupation thanks to Julia's good taste (too bad she died so young, but she'd picked up her father's eye for class beforehand).

No ghosts in the great house bothered Antony. He'd always thought Pompeius a pompous fool and half the pleasure of Pharsalus was to be chosen by Caesar to command a wing of the army that destroyed him. Marcus was not an imaginative person.

Less than a week before Caesar would leave for Apollonia, and then to Parthia. The project lured Antonius, but he was better off here, finishing his consular year, then taking on Macedonia as his proconsular province. There were rich pickings to be had from both positions.

He would miss the Old Man - life seemed to flow smoothly when Caesar was at hand, and Antony could relax. He loved him, hated him, often chafed under his strict control, and needed him as the backdrop for his own spectacular style. He still remembered Caesar's lecture when he found Antony was traveling around Italia in a chariot drawn by lions - it was worth it, just to see Caesar in a rage! He smiled fondly.

Perhaps he could arrange a small gathering of special friends after the Senate meeting on the Ides - a special dinner party to honor Caesar before his departure! Thinking about it, Antony's eyes brightened; dancing girls, the best food and wine - perhaps he could drag in some poet or other to please the Old Man with an ode to his achievements! But most important - no wives, and that meant he could ask the Queen of Egypt. That would delight everyone. It would send Caesar off assured of Antony's affection, and that would probably be a help when he put a few small plans into motion he hadn't yet cleared with Caesar.

Smiling, he noticed Gaius Matius in the crowd. Just the person! "Come here, Gaius!" he shouted, "I've got a plan I want your help with!"