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Fanfiction of Roseanna M. White's novel "Stray Drop of Blood" with a primary focus and expansion of the character of Titus and his journey to rebirth and self-discovery.

Plot overview: Titus Asinius, a proud Roman noble, passionate about his heritage and culture in all its fullness – carnality on one hand and the Stoicism on the other – is suddenly thrown into the most pestilent part of the Empire to serve as a centurion. The only thing keeping him sane and grounded is his charismatic, caring best friend. But when tragedy strikes at the hands of the Jewish rebel Barabbas, the young centurion's world is turned upside down and not even Stoicism can keep his raging, vengeful emotions at bay. At the darkest hour, when all hope seems lost, Titus discovers the meaning of true redemption from the cleansing blood of an innocent Man. Now the once proud Roman noble must put his old prejudices and grudges aside and somehow learn to get along with the beautiful, but infuriating widow of his late friend, who happens to be the sole person that understands his sudden change of heart.

The Cleansing Blood

Chapter l

Fraternitas

Jerusalem, Israel, AD 32

The city of Jerusalem was lit in glittering gold as the hot afternoon sun shone bright, intensifying the heat upon the land. The infamous temple reconstructed by Herod the Great stood gloriously in the centre as though a divine being truly occupied its empty walls. A poet, without a hesitation, would be inspired to comment about the enchanting beauty expelling from the ancient city, but Titus Asinius was no poet and even if he were one, he highly doubted he could ever find anything worthwhile in this plaguey part of the Empire. No. He had been assigned to serve as a centurion here. To somehow establish order, to continue maintaining the Pax Romana with the iron heel of the great Empire. If only he had been sent somewhere else...the domain of Rome stretched from East to West, to North and South. Why, oh why, out of all the provinces, was he sent in this filthy place? The only thing that kept him somewhat sane and grounded was his charismatic friend – the one who had been bred in this city and the one he was waiting for now.

Titus drummed his fingers on his knee as he sat waiting not so patiently for Jason to come. They had agreed to meet half an hour ago, and Titus was not a patient man. Especially since he knew very well what would be keeping his friend at home: a lovely set of curves and large brown eyes. The image of the alluring siren came to his mind. Jason's Venus, Menelaus had called her, and Lentulus had agreed whole heartedly and even Apidius – seemingly in love with his Roman Drusilla – sighed at the mention of the Jewess. His friends could be such fools sometimes. Not that Titus disagreed with their claims. He had seen the slave girl as well and he had to admit, she had been startlingly beautiful. More beautiful than any woman he ever had...and he had many. But still...she was a Jewess and a slave, at that. Why was Jason losing his mind over her? Sure, she was breathtakingly gorgeous but...Titus grunted and shook the thought from his head. There would come a day soon enough when he would go home, and then he, too, would have women at his disposal every hour of the day. More of them than Jason had.

In fact, he had just received word from his father. It was this news that made him anxious for Jason to arrive; he needed to tell someone, and no one else would want to hear it. Actually, Jason may not, either, but he was friend enough to listen anyway, and reliant enough on the graces of the Asiniuses not to grumble too loudly. A knowing smile pulled at Titus's lips. Six more months in this wretched place, and he would be back in Rome, running his father's companies for him. He was not sure how Caius had arranged it, but he would not complain. He may not like being under his father's rule, but it was better than the military. Similarly, he may resent that one of his best friends was that largely for political reasons, but he would not complain; it was nice to have some pull over the self-confident Jason Visibullis. As much as he liked the man, sometimes his confidence and charisma could be quite irksome.

He finally saw him approaching and stood, prepared to offer some snide comment about his lack of punctuality. It died on his lips, however, when he saw the look in Jason's eyes. Titus drew in a deep breath, slowly puffing out air from his chest. Why was it that he was always the one around when Jason was troubled? Certainly, Lentulus or Apidius would be a better choice for such occasions or even the boisterous Menelaus would do. As for him, he was getting rather tired of having to deal with his friend's petty concerns. They were always about the girl, anyway, and Jason was never sensible enough to take good advice and not give her so much of his attentions as Titus had advised him many times now.

"Jason," he merely said in greeting.

"Titus." Jason managed to put irritation into the word. "I am sorry I am late. My mother insisted I dine with her before leaving."

They fell in together and headed for the markets.

He would not ask. He did not want to know. But the silence stretched all the way into uncomfortable and left him little choice. "So how is your Venus faring?"

Jason speared him with a scalding look. "She is pregnant."

Titus made no response for a moment. He knew not which to make. He was definitely not surprised by the news; these things had a tendency to happen when one frequently engaged in activities of a certain nature. It was Jason's tone that baffled him. When he did speak again, he made sure his own accent was neutral. "Is this a bad thing?"

"She seems to think so." Jason returned testily and continued in frustration. "I caught her trying to get rid of the babe. She was not even planning on telling me, claiming that she was afraid I would force her to go to Rome with me and that her life and the babe's would forever belong to me. Is it so very bad that I am her master? I am kind to her!" Then he spewed a few choice expletives that made Titus grin. "What is wrong with her? I do not pretend to understand the workings of a woman's mind! They are impossible, incomprehensible, utterly forsaken of all reason–"

"Are you just figuring this out?" Titus almost laughed.

Jason glared at him, but his humour was improving visibly. "Have any of your women been pregnant, Titus?"

"Yes." Titus glanced at the stalls they passed but saw nothing of interest. "Although one was sold to us because she was barren. And another became so when she aborted a child well into her term. Yet another miscarried accidentally early on; that was not so long ago. Too soon to know if there was permanent damage. And Caelia," he said with a small smile, picturing the curves of his favourite, "has no excuse, and has long been ashamed of it. You see, my friend, when a woman knows she is competing for your attentions and affections, she will deem it a matter of pride to carry your child."

Jason grunted, rolling his aqua coloured eyes. "Diversity is your answer to everything."

"It works." He shrugged. "You waste too much energy on that little slave of yours. The benefit to having such a woman is that she is there when you want her but without the claim to you a wife would have. But if you forsake other women, you might as well marry." He spat the last word with so much disgust as if it were the most appalling thing in the universe.

Jason's grimace led Titus to think that had yet again been the topic with his mother. That's what he got for having a Hebrew mother. After some consideration though, Jason nodded. Finally. "You are right. I have been too occupied with Abigail."

Titus clapped a victorious hand to Jason's shoulder. At last he was getting through him. "Remedy it, my friend. Take out a few coins and treat yourself to an evening on the town."

Jason moistened his lips. "I suppose I can spare the coins." He looked somewhat reluctant.

Titus grunted. "You seem to have enough lately. Though where you get it is a mystery."

He was quiet and seemed to consider a moment, then pasted on a lopsided smile. "Your father."

Titus stopped mid-step and turned questioning eyes on his friend. Jason's amusement was catching, but he kept it at bay. "My father?"

Jason chuckled. "He is paying me to report anything compromising you may do."

Titus knew dual emotions; he wanted to strangle his father for his controlling, untrusting behaviour and laugh with his friend at the ridiculousness of the situation. "Compromising? But Jason, we both know that when not around him, I am the epitome of responsibility." That, he certainly was and could not be more proud to admit it.

"And I tried to tell him it was a waste of his money. But he insisted."

Titus shook his head, sighing. "He would, the fool. Well, then, that settles it. Since it my father's money, you must take my advice in spending it." Then, in a mock whisper, he added. "Just do not tell him what we do with it. He may be forced to admit you are just as human as I."

Jason had always been a good friend to him and Titus was determined to repay him that. He would help him get over this unhealthy obsession he had developed for the little slave girl. She was already expecting and that would, without a doubt, give her the upper hand in manipulation. No. Titus would not stand idly by and allow that Jewess slave to ruin his friend. Not on his watch. He had a wonderful career in Rome awaiting him...they both would soon sail back to Rome and forget everything about this wretched place.

Thankfully, Jason laughed along with him at his suggestion and followed him down his avenue of choice. That night, they would spend their time as though they were already in Rome celebrating their homecoming.