A/n: Hey all, so I'm venturing into the violent and sensual world of Spartacus: Blood and Sand, where this story is going I haven't the foggiest idea, but hopefully somewhere fun and hot. And just for the record, yes I do have a hugely major crush on Andy Whitfield and I am so happy that his treatment went great so he can continue wowing us every episode.

Standard Disclaimer applies anything you don't recognize is most likely mine.

Although the defeat of the Shadow of Death summoned the rains that ended the drought, not much could be said about the stifling heat and humidity that followed. However, it should never be said that the house of Batiatus was incapable of greeting guests. Quintus and his wife, Lucretia, waited impatiently at the entrance of their villa under the cool shade. A runner had announced the arrival of his master nearly half an hour earlier. Quintus' much wealthier cousin, Octavius Baltus had finally saw fit to come to Capua after nearly seven years.

The gates to the villa opened to a jovial dark haired large man sitting next to a driver atop the carriage. "Quintus, cousin! Lucretia, you timeless beauty!" The large man waved laughing as his driver maneuvered the carriage into the courtyard.

"He acts as though we are pleased to host him. Such is the way of merchants I suppose." Lucretia murmured softly in her husband's ear. Quintus gave her hand a rough squeeze to silence her before extending his hands in welcome.

"Ah Octavius, welcome to my home. It has been far too long. Come, you must be weary, let my servants and slaves take care of your things." The fat man laughed and beckoned the couple closer to the carriage.

"Of course, of course, but first, come." Quintus and Lucretia glanced at one another before stepping closer. "You know of my many treasures, most I have bought and sold but let me show you the one I am loathed to part with…" With a grand gesture Octavius threw open the carriage door and held out a hand. "Come along, lamb, no need for shyness." A delicate, long fingered hand grasped Octavius' hand before a darling girl of about 15 summers exited the carriage with a light step. Golden brown eyes framed with long dark lashes and kohl lowered in respect. Her long dark hair was piled and bejeweled atop her head with curls framing a sweet oval face. Expensive purple jewels adorned her neck and ears in elegant settings. The girl's gown was artfully draped to entice, seduce and flatter in rich tones of blue. Quintus found himself hard, Lucretia found herself jealous.

"Quintus, Lucretia you remember my daughter Octavia. Lamb, this is your uncle and aunt; you were only 8 summers last you seen them. Do you remember?" Octavius coaxed the girl gently as though she were either stupid or hysterical.

"Yes, of course Father. It is a pleasure to see you again. Gratitude you receive us on such short notice." The girl spoke politely and slowly with an enchanting smile upon her red stained lips. Slightly appeased that the girl was not competition, but her niece who could be manipulated, Lucretia beckoned them all inside.

She looped her arm through Octavia's with a pleasant smile, "Dear niece, it is wonderful to see you; you've grown into such a beauty. Your gown is simply divine, you must tell me where the fabric is from…" As the women departed, Octavius stopped Quintus with an expression of grim seriousness.

"Quintus, a moment."

"Cousin, what's wrong?"

"It's Octavia, she…fuck, how can I put this? She does not remember the events that took away her mother and brother. The girl has no memory of the tragedy that nearly robbed me of her as well." The two men retreated into Quintus' study. At their dominus' command, guards blocked the entrance for the lords' privacy.

"She remembers nothing? Then what have you told her?" Quintus gave his cousin a goblet of wine and motioned him to sit.

"That her mother and brother died in childbirth and that is all. I can't burden her mind with the truth. She is my precious heir. Oh don't give me that look, Quintus, my daughter is my world I would not let a husband steal what I have worked hard to provide her." Octavius took a healthy swallow of wine and poured himself another.

"Done, I will tell Lucretia and keep up the pretense." Quintus stated while pondering how best to use this information to his advantage. "Shall we join the women?"

"Ah, there is one more thing, Quintus."

If only Tavi had a gun, she would put a bullet in her. A bullet in the brainpan…squish. Anything to get away from 'Aunt' Lucretia and her damn prattle, it was lucky that Tavi was good a boring functions; a damned expert if she were so inclined. But no, guns and for that matter gunpowder didn't exist yet. How in the fucking hell did she get stuck in 70-something B.C.E when she was perfectly happy in 2008?

Two years ago, Octavia 'Tavi' Rose was outside of Rome, Italy working as one of Professor Donner's summer interns for an archeological dig of the rarest kind. It was an internship usually granted to the brightest of graduate students, but she had Donner for an undergrad class and he thought Tavi was 'unbelievably brilliant.' This specific internship combined two of Tavi's greatest loves: history and engineering. When he offered, she immediately jumped at the chance.

Now she wished she'd gotten that summer job at Borders instead. Because here she was masquerading as Octavius Baltus' dead daughter and playing the shy, demure virgin. Virgin perhaps, but shy and demure? Hell no! However, Tavi owed her life to the man, if he had not found her half buried in the bloody remains of a caravan party…well she'd rather not think on it.

The fat man took care of her, educated her and found Tavi to be much like the 8 year old daughter he lost to marauders roughly seven years ago. Not only that, Octavius seemed to enjoy Tavi's intelligence and shrewd mind for business. It was partially because of Tavi that his business nearly tripled. To him, Tavi was the daughter he never knew. If only the man would stop trying to marry her off!

"And here is the income to your uncle's home, the ludus." Tavi's gaze followed Lucretia's wave to the edge of the balcony. Below, there were roughly twenty sweaty, muscular men battling one another under the direction and careful watch of an imposing black man with a whip. And for some unfathomable reason, each and every fighting man wore a DIAPER? Tavi had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop the laughter bubbling forth at the sight.

"Niece is something wrong? You act as though you've never seen gladiator's before." Lucretia gauged the girl's reactions carefully; something was definitely off about Octavius' child.

"Because she hasn't, Lucretia. I have kept her from the games all her life; but no more." The cousins came up them to watch the gladiators train. "I did not want her innocent mind to be tainted by the games."

"How do you mean 'no more' Father?" Octavia inquired politely as she carefully kept her gaze from the men below. To Lucretia, that was an odd move, even the most proper of Roman Noblewomen would watch the wild beasts of men below.

"Oh lamb, I mean to leave you in the care of your uncle and aunt. Too long have you been without the appropriate instruction befitting a proper Roman wife. Instruction you will receive from Lucretia and away from the gossipmongers of Rome." He smiled at his daughter before turning to his cousin's wife, "If you are willing, of course. I hear you have made several prominent friends of late. Perhaps you lack the time?" Despite the tone, it was neither a question nor a request.

"For family? How could we refuse? Octavia is most welcome…" Lucretia swallowed the lump in her throat before continuing, "…like my own child." She spared a glance to said child who was staring hard at her father.

"Gratitude Aunt, Uncle. Will be a pleasure." Octavia smiled stiffly and spoke awkwardly, Lucretia noticed, as though Latin was not her first language and the girl spoke almost too formally. Lucretia thought it best to keep a close eye on her 'niece'.

"Wonderful, let us retire inside and you can tell us of your travels cousin." Quintus clapped a hand to Octavius' shoulder and steered his family back into the villa. Lucretia immediately looped her arm through Octavia's and began suggesting ideas to engage the girl.

So what do you think? Reviews and constructive criticisms are most welcome. Not flames. Should I continue?