Disclaimer: Nothing you recognize from the Spartacus series is mine. Lea and all those you do not, are. This disclaimer is effective for this chapter and all that follow it.

A/N: HERE IT IS! THE FINAL STORY IN MY SPARTACUS TRILOGY! At least I think it is. Lol. I hope you enjoy this first chapter and all those that follow! Much love goes out to all those who have stuck with me throughout Lea's journey! I really do love you guys!

Chapter One: A Different Way of Living

Rushing across the field, my sword found purchase in a soldier's body, blood spilling, soaking the already blood stained ground. The battle had been raging for hours, the Rebel forces pushing the Romans back until retreat was their only option. Following where Spartacus had disappeared on horseback, Varro was soon at my side, ready to take on whatever lay over the hill. Hearing the horse cry, we came over the edge as the soldiers' were about to take Spartacus' life. Swinging my sword, a head rolled, then a limb, as I protected my brother and commander. The Roman leaders knew they had been defeated, turning and fleeing the battlefield.

"Spartacus." I said panting as I looked at him.

He nodded at me, holding his hand out. Gripping it, I helped him to his feet before turning to Varro. Gently touching a wound on his arm, he frowned at me before wrapping his arm around my waist.

"Spartacus!" Crixus called out. "The Romans have sounded retreat!" Everyone cheered in the face of our victory.

"We have won the day." Naevia said excitedly from his side.

"We have won nothing. Cossinius and Furius again slip from grasp." Spartacus replied.

"Brother." I said putting my hand on his shoulder. "The battle is won."

"The same cannot be said for many that stood with them. The field is thick with the dead." Gannicus said attempting to sway him.

"Deserved fate…for all who would see us again to shackle and whip." Spartacus stated, turning back toward camp, pulling away from my touch.

Feeling Varro's arm once again around me, I leaned against him, offering him a proud smile. Tilting my head back, I smirked up at him, gently rubbing his side. He laughed, kissing me passionately before we turned and followed our leader.

The camp itself had grown larger than any of us had dared to hope. Slaves who had fled their masters flooded into our ranks, making our numbers swell, numbering the thousands. Yet their experience made us less lucky by their presence. Spartacus refused to deny any slave entrance into the camp. He may not know all who lived amongst us but he cared about them all the same. Despite the time that had passed since this rebellion started, the purpose of it had never faltered. He was still the empathetic leader who cherished every life under his command.

Moving to the center of camp where our tents resided, we all dispersed eager to rest and refresh ourselves from the battle we had just fought. Varro helped me from the leather and fabric of my makeshift armor, and I from his, standing before each other naked as we cleaned the blood and dirt from each other's bodies. Talking, kissing, and laughing all the while, I was surprised we made it through the cleaning process before he had me on our bed, ravaging me until I was dizzy with pleasure.

Lying in each other's arms, I trailed my fingers up and down his arm, content with the world. "Spartacus will want our report." I told him.

"He can wait." Varro grinned and kissed me deeply.

"He hates waiting." I replied rolling on top of him, placing a long kiss against the center of his chest, licking my way to his lips.

He laughed, wrapping his arms around me, "If you keep doing that we'll never leave this tent."

"Something I am completely content with." I said taking his chin between my teeth. "Fuck me once more and then we will go to him."

"Lea." I heard my name and quickly rolled off of him, pulling up the blanket, covering both Varro and I, as Antonia came into the tent. "Apologies." She said quickly turning her back to us.

"I'll be out presently." I told her. She quickly left, making me sigh, resting my head against Varro's chest.

"Varro?" Spartacus' voice entered the tent before he too stepped through without permission.

"Spartacus." I frowned at him.

"Good, both of you. Come, I wish to hear your report." He said and just stood there, un-phased by the state we were in.

"If you do not leave this tent you will see more of both of us then you ever wished to see before." I shot at him.

"I'll be in my tent." He told us with a small smile before leaving.

Varro and I exchanged a look, kissing briefly before we stood and put on clothes again. "I much prefer you naked." Varro smirked at me.

"And I you, my love." I said leaping into his arms, wrapping my arms around his neck as I kissed him passionately. Dropping me, he turned toward the entrance. Only I jumped onto his back, grinning as he carried me toward our brother's tent. "Shit." I said and turned to where Antonia was standing. "Go and give our report. I must see what Antonia is in need of."

"Hurry." He said as he smacked my ass.

Laughing, I shook my head and ran to where Antonia was still standing. "Apologies."

"None needed." She smiled.

"What can I do for you?" I asked.

"Caius has yet to return to our tent. What news do you bring of him?" She told me.

"None." I frowned. "I haven't seen him since we left this morning." She looked at me with concern. "Come; let's go back to your tent, perhaps he's returned."

Stepping up to her tent, we walked in to see Vita holding Antonia's child. Little Nero was only a few months old. Swiftly taking the child from my friend, I cradled him in my arms, cooing at him affectionately. Caius wasn't here but only a few minutes had gone by and he stepped through the door. Antonia quickly embraced him, telling him of her worry. He calmed her, greeting her affectionately, before coming to greet his child as well.

"How is my strong son?" He grinned at the small child.

"He's faring well." I grinned, still cooing. "You have a beautiful son." I said looking up at my friend. "And I must live vicariously through you for the time being."

"You will have your own children someday." Caius said placing a kiss against my hair as he attempted to take his child.

"I do not think so." I frowned. "Let your wife assist in cleaning you and then I'll hand him over."

He sighed with a raised brow but nodded. Leaving the tent, I walked a few tents down and announced my entrance before stepping into Felix's tent. He was in the middle of cleaning himself from the battle, making me turn my back to him for privacy.

"Lea." He said with an almost scolding tone.

"Caius was late to return so Antonia is helping clean him." I told him.

"In other words, you gave them an excuse to borrow their child." He said looking over my shoulder at the infant. "He is beautiful."

"He has his mother's eyes. A good thing." I said and laughed.

"Hand him over." Felix said and took Nero from my arms. "You need one of these."

"When this war is over I will have several." I smiled at him. "You need to find a wife. There are plenty in our ranks who would have you. Then you can have one of those as well."

"No one has caught my eye just yet." He replied.

"I know." I told him, though we knew that had nothing to do with it.

Nero started to cry and Felix swiftly handed him back, "Here, you should return him to his mother."

Laughing, I cradled the child, kissing his cheek before I left the tent. Walking in a square, I wanted to make sure I gave my friends enough time to reunite. Varro and I always took time to ourselves after a battle. There was no such thing as wasted time. Every moment was precious and we took advantage of them as often as possible. When I returned to their tent, I slipped inside to see Caius embracing Antonia lovingly. It had taken time but the pair of them had become as close as any of us. It made my heart soar; a heavy burden had been lifted.

"There you two are." Caius smiled as he took his son from my arms.

"Are you all right?" I asked him.

He nodded, smiling at me, wrapping an arm around Antonia. "I am."

"Good." I smiled.

Taking my leave of them, I made my way to Spartacus' tent. Letting myself inside, I looked at Spartacus and Varro, the only two in the tent. Stepping up to Spartacus, I kissed his cheek before going to Varro, wrapping my arms around him from behind as I pressed my lips between his shoulder blades.

"Where is everyone?" I asked. "I thought we were to give report."

"Varro has taken care of your report." Spartacus told me.

"Why the heavy brow?" I asked Spartacus as I pressed myself against my husband's back. He didn't say anything. Stepping back up to him, I wrapped my arms around him in the same manner as I had Varro, resting my head against him. "You must give us this victory."

"Cossinius and Furius still live. Until their lives are taken we cannot claim victory." He replied.

"They retreated." I frowned. "Their army is destroyed. How is this not a victory?"

"I share your thoughts." Crixus said as he came into the tent, Agron after him. "The field has been stripped of weapons and horses."

"The Romans' loss again becomes our bounty." Agron stated.

"What of Gannicus? I would have his report as well." Spartacus replied.

"You well know the man. He favors celebration after a victory. Often for many days." Crixus replied, laughing with Agron.

"A thing I would gladly give blessing…after Cossinius and Furius fall from concern." Spartacus stated with authority.

"Brother, they are still defeated." I tried to reason.

"They have proven themselves no fools and may yet attempt bold maneuver." Crixus stated.

Spartacus nodded, "Double our sentries in surrounding hills. I would not be caught unaware."

"You give those shits credit beyond due." Agron stated.

Smirking at Agron, I looked at Spartacus, knowing his thoughts, "Underestimating your opponent is a Roman trait, Agron. Do not fall prey to it." He stated as he moved from the tent. Falling in step behind him, we moved across the hill he was camped upon.

"Cossinius and Furius come to the end of their days." Agron argued. "With each passing sun, hundreds of slaves break bond to join our cause."

"Agron is not wrong in this." Crixus stated. "Soon we shall have the advantage of numbers."

"But not skill." I stated as we looked out over our camp. There were tents as far as the eye could see in all directions. Our numbers had soared to unimaginable heights. Yet we were not as well-endowed as the Romans.

"Gauge prowess of all that have joined us and see them readied." Spartacus commanded. "I would strike again at nearest opportunity and give further warning to the fools in Rome seeking to grind us beneath heel."

Crixus nodded and started to march off. It was clear that he was upset. "Crixus." I said following him, gripping his wrist to stop him.

"We fought hard for this victory and he will not even allow us to feel it." He frowned at me.

Smiling, I gently played with a strand of his now shoulder length hair, "We both know that enough will never be enough for him. Not until Rome herself is destroyed." He nodded at me. "We know it is a victory and we will celebrate as if it is so. No matter what our mighty brother thinks." Wrapping his arm around me, I ran my hand down the back of his head. "I love your hair this way." I told him, running both my hands through it. "And the beard."

He laughed and kissed my cheek, "You tell me as much almost daily."

"I must flatter you to keep you in good spirits." I smirked at him.

"Your sister does that enough." He smiled. My smiled faltered as I nodded at him. "I wish you two could be as you were in the house Batiatus." He stated sadly. "It weighs on me that it is not so."

"You hold no fault in that." I smiled at him.

"Yet I feel as if I do."

"Remove such thoughts from mind. It is no one's fault other than the men and women who have abused us in the past. I lose sleep thinking of how changed my sister is. We no longer see each other as we used to. She is hard and at times cruel. She is not the Naevia I grew up with. Nor is she the Naevia you fell in love with." I rambled, not realizing I had so much to say.

"She is." He said kindly, gently pulling on my braid, draped over my shoulder. "She is simply more than I could have imagined her to be. She has learned strength and honor. She can now hold her own against the Romans at my side. She is the ever present sun in the darkness of this rebellion."

Smiling, I kissed his cheek, "No one can love her as much as you."

"Know that she still loves you." He told me matter-of-factly. "She loves you as I do. With her whole heart."

"As I love both of you as well." I smiled, wrapping my arms around his neck.

Pressing a kiss against my shoulder, he winked at me, leaving me to go tend to my sister. Sighing, I touched the place where his lips had just been, worried for him. Naevia was no longer the woman I knew and grew up with. She had transformed into someone I didn't recognize and honestly I was afraid of her.

"You are the most spectacular woman of the Rebellion." Varro said wrapping his arms around my waist from behind, making me immediately smile. Though he knew what I was thinking. "I wish you wouldn't worry."

"I can't help it." I told him, my smile faltering.

"I still find it interesting that you worry more for the Gaul then your sister." He commented. I didn't reply. He pressed his lips against my neck, his breath warming my skin, gently tickling as it wafted across me.

Smiling again, I turned my head, pressing a long kiss against his temple. "I love you." I whispered into his ear.

Playfully biting my neck, he spun me, hoisted me over his shoulder before running us into our tent. Throwing me into our bed, I laughed loudly as he tore the dress from my body, his lips moving against my stomach, moving further down until I felt his tongue at my cunt. I immediately silenced as I quivered with pleasure, gripping fistfuls of sheet as I attempted not to knee him in the face on accident. Soon his hand replaced his tongue, as he trailed his lips back up my body until we were staring into each other's eyes.

"God I love you." I whispered.

He laughed before he rolled on top of me, thrusting himself up inside me as his hand moved to my breast, cupping it as he took my nipple between his teeth, his tongue flicking across it, sending another wave of pleasure through me. Gripping his hair with one hand, I dug my nails into his back as I arched with pleasure. Breathing hard, I moaned, gripping his head, bringing his face back up to mine. Meeting his lips in a fierce kiss, I rolled him underneath me, rocking as his cock rubbed inside of me, moaning with pleasure as I leaned back, tilting my head back as my head swam. Soon his lips were against my skin as, his tongue licking up between my breasts. Leaning back toward him, I wrapped an arm around his neck, putting my hand against his face as our eyes met. Our open mouths were against each other as we stared into each other's eyes. We both quivered with pleasure as the climax came, my rocking slowing before stopping, kissing him with all the passion I had in me.

Soon days had passed and yet the camp still celebrated. There was much to be done and yet even Varro and I did not leave the comfort of our tent unless called upon. Our people had become self-sufficient as the months wore on, lifting their petty needs from my shoulders. I saw that their bellies were full and clothes were provided for, otherwise they were to see to themselves. Now that thousands were among us, tending to individual needs were nearly unheard of outside of our inner circles.

Making love at a nearly constant rate, we lay naked on the bed, panting, turning and grinning at each other. Rolling over, I once again started to kiss him, my hand rubbing the inside of his thighs. He was starting to harden again when there was a startled scream and both of us looked to the tent entrance where a young girl stood with a shocked expression.

"Junia!" I yelled at her, making her quickly flee. Sighing, I buried my face in Varro's neck before I rolled off of him, and then the bed, grabbing a dress and putting it on quickly. "I'm sorry, my love." I said kissing him sweetly.

"Go be their fearless leader." He smiled at me, rolling onto his stomach, hugging a pillow under his head. Looking at him, my eyes moved for the beauty of his face, down the curves of his back and over his sculpted ass. I found myself staring at him, unable to help myself. "Lea, are you blushing?" He said and laughed loudly. Feeling my cheeks burn even more, I grinned before running back to the bed, throwing myself on top of him. Gently biting his shoulder, I buried my lips in his hair. "I love you." He told me, kissing my arm.

"I love you." I smiled, kissing him deeply before repeatedly. "I love you so much."

"Go." He grinned.

"Now I think you may be the one blushing." I smirked at him.

"Every time I look at you I am in awe of your beauty."

"And I am in awe of yours." I said kissing him once more. "Now I really must go tend to the child who is going to get an earful from me. Again."

"Go play mother."

"Ugh." I said and left the tent.

Moving through the camp, I found myself in front of one of medium size, happy noises coming from inside of it. Knowing exactly what was going on, I let myself in, taking in Vita and Junius in the throes of love. Watching momentarily, I averted my eyes before clearing my throat, announcing my presence. Vita screamed while Junius jumped up in an attempt to protect his woman. As soon as he saw it was me, he grabbed a blanket, wrapping it around his waist.

"Lea." He said awkwardly.

I simply smiled at him, "Did you enjoy this?" I asked.

"Not especially." He admitted. Vita was hiding on the other side of their makeshift bed. "We were not expecting you."

Still smiling, I nodded at him, "Would you like to know what I wasn't expecting? I wasn't expecting your daughter – once again – seeing what I just walked in on. Only it wasn't her parents she saw, it was me and Varro. This is the third time she's walked in on us doing exactly what you were doing. It's not amusing, is it?" I shot at him, my anger flaring.

He sighed, tensing as he met my eyes, "I will speak with her."

"I will speak with her." I told him, turning and leaving the tent.

"Lea." He said stopping me. "She's just a child."

I nodded at him, "Yes, and a lesson needs to be learned."

Leaving the tent, I found Junia hiding behind a barrel outside of it. Raising a brow, I motioned for her to come to me. She obeyed, stepping in front of me with a downcast look. Turning her, I put my arm across her shoulders, walking down the aisle of tents. For a while I let her stew, wanting her to feel anxious.

"Has your father talked to you about boundaries?" I asked her. She nodded without meeting my eyes. "Then you should know better than to barge into someone's tent without asking permission." I told her sternly.

"I know." She replied.

"Then why do you keep barging into my tent?" I frowned at her. Instead of replying, she burst into tears. Pulling her closer to me, I sighed. I hated tears. "Junia." I said stopping and turning her toward me as I squatted in front of her. "Tell me why."

"I was seeking comfort." She told me.

"And attention?" I frowned at her. She nodded as more tears fell down her cheeks. "Why seek that from me?"

"I don't have a father anymore." She told me sadly.

"What?" I frowned at her. "What are you talking about? Your father is safe and with you."

"No." She said firmly. "She has him now."

Suddenly understanding, I pulled her into me, embracing her tightly. She cried for only a few minutes before she calmed herself. "Now then, tell me why you think that." I told her softly.

The poor child delved into how Vita had taken up mantel as mother. Only instead of mothering her she felt as if she barged into their life and took her father from her. It was a sad story. A child of ten with poor lungs was threatened by a woman who her father took comfort in. I understood the adult side of this. I understood it better than most. But I don't think anyone thought of the children. There were many children among us now and they either were the forefront of their parents' minds or in the back. Making our way back to their tent, I led Junia inside before asking Vita to join me.

"What is it, Lea?" She asked after we had moved away from the tent.

"Junia's actions aren't that of a child just causing mischief." I told her.

"Speak plainly." She shot at me, making my head shoot up to her with a frown on my face. She shied away from me, "Apologies."

"I am not looking for smart remark or attitude from you." I shot at her.

"Apologies." She repeated.

Taking a deep breath, I decided to be blunt with her. "The girl feels like as you're taking her father from her." She frowned at me. "You give him comforts in this time of war. He has become an asset to the rebellion and having you with him to look after his daughter has made all the difference." I told her and paused, anger slowly starting to boil again. "But she is just a child and doesn't see it that way. Her entire life there has been nothing but her and her father and now there is you. You need to make her feel like her father is still hers. He can love you and her at the same time but she doesn't know any better. She simply sees her father spending more time with you than he does with her."

She sighed and nodded at me, "I've been selfish with him."

"Yes." I shot at her. She nodded again. "Show that little girl that you are not only here for her father. Show her that she is also important to you. Otherwise I will force your relationship to end. No child deserves to lose a parent in a time of war. Be her parent. Be there for her in case something does happen. For if you choose him then you choose her as well."

"I love that little girl." She frowned at me.

"Vita, you're still a child yourself." I frowned back at her. She looked like she wanted to retort but didn't. Sighing, I nodded at her, "Apologies. That sounded harsher than I intended it to. You've grown much over the past few years, but you're still young. Do not take this on unless you know you can handle it."

"I can." She stated with a hard tone.

"Prove it." I told her, giving her a small smile before walking away.

Intending on going back to Varro, I was stopped by other affairs of the camp. Food was running low and people were thirsty. Doing what I could, I sent others to assist; Appius amongst them, knowing that he would do all to help the people.

"Lea!" I heard my came called.

Turning, I couldn't help the grin that crossed my face. "Lucius! Otho!" I beamed as I threw myself into Lucius's open arms. "Are you both well?" I asked as I embraced Otho, who was grinning at me as if he hadn't seen me in years.

"You look happy." Otho commented.

"As I should." I told him. "Victory is within grasp."

"Within grasp?" Lucius smiled. "I thought we had already won a victory."

"Apparently we cannot claim victory until Cossinius and Furius have been killed." I told them.

They looked at each other. "Spartacus?" Lucius frowned.

"Do not do or say anything to cause upset." I told him with seriousness. "They are the commanders of the legion. They should die in order to claim victory."

"Do you truly believe that?" Otho asked.

Sighing, I smiled at him, "It is what I will tell anyone who asks."

"You blindly follow him when you offer the same if not better actions for this army." Lucius told me with hushed tones. Anger was evident in his voice.

"Enough." I told him quickly. "Do not speak against Spartacus. I wish to not see you fall from my favor due to blasphemous words."

"You speak of blasphemy when you know I am right." He shot back getting in my face.

"Take a step back, Lucius." I told him.

Otho put his hand on his brother's arm, "Lucius, you do not want to anger her."

"She's better when she's angry. She fights harder and doesn't listen to the careful words from cherished brother." He said pulling away.

"Lucius!" I yelled at him. "Cease tongue and gain fucking mind. If anger is what you seek then keep on this path and I will show it to you." I may be half the size he was but he relaxed and took a step away from me, deflating as he nodded at me. Now stepping up to him, I met his eyes with a fierce gaze. "Do not question my motives or I swear to you that you will not like the results."

"Apologies." He told me quickly. "I didn't mean to offend."

"Your tone offends." I shot back at him. "If you wish to break words then do it in a civil manner or I will ignore all you have to say."

"Lea." He said softly. "I apologize for upsetting you."

Nodding at him, I led him away from prying eyes and ears of our people. As soon as they were out of sight I circled Lucius before kicking the back of his knee, making him fall to both of his. Gripping his arm, I bent it behind his back as I gripped his shoulder, digging my nails into it.

"I'm going to say this once and only once. You of all people should know that I do not follow Spartacus blindly. You know nothing of what transpires in our meetings unless I tell you. So what you think you know is only the tip of the iceberg of what is." I told him, my tone even. "I will not allow you to speak against Spartacus or any of the other leaders of this army. We do what is best for everyone. Spartacus has led us this far and has yet to lead us astray. I follow him because I believe in him. I believe in his cause and how he leads this rebellion." I said and released him. He stayed on his knees, gripping his arm. Sighing, I knelt in front of him. "Apologies." I told him kindly. "But there are some things I will not stand for."

"I know." He told me with a nod. "And I knew better than to say anything. Like you said…tempers."

Nodding at him I stood, holding my hand out to him. It took him a long moment before he took my hand, allowing me to help him to his feet. This was the first time we'd had such a confrontation. I'd had many of the sorts with others in our group but I had always had trust in the first two gladiators who had joined me. But he had grown restless and underappreciated. But I never wanted him to look at me any way other than the kind Lea that I used to be, who I really was on the inside.

"Apologies." I told him again.

"I understand." He nodded, pulling me against him. "May I speak plainly?"

Looking up at him, I nodded, "Of course."

"I used to not believe when people would say that despite your pleasantness you could strike fear with a look. We've always known your words held power. It appears that your body has finally caught up." He said gently.

"Finally?" I smirked at him with a raised brow.

"All I'm trying to say is that you are as fearsome a leader as the men. Making me respect you even more." He said with a bow of his head.

"Gratitude." I smiled at him, feeling a blush rise in my cheeks.

"The mighty Lea still blushes." He said and laughed heartily, back to his normal self.

Shaking my head at him, I wrapped my arm around him, leaning against him. Otho draped his arm across my shoulders as we returned to the camp. Finally feeling like I could be myself again, we made our way through the rows of tents. But it seemed that every time I thought everything was going all right something else would happen. Only this time it was unexpected and a confrontation I did not want to make. But there was little choice.

Stopping with a gladiator on both sides, I frowned, witnessing my sister strike down a man. He struggled to escape her but she held firm to his clothes, her sword drawn and at the ready. He kept saying that it wasn't true. Hoping she wasn't going to make a terrible mistake, she drew back her sword, telling me that she was about to. Pulling Otho's sword from his waist, I darted forward, blocking her sword from the man before forcing her backward.

"What is the meaning of this?" I asked her, looking down at the man. "What isn't true?"

"I didn't steal anything." He said scrambling away from Naevia as she moved toward him.

"Enough." I said stepping in front of him. "What is it that you think he stole?"

"This is none of your concern." Naevia shot at me, madness in her eyes.

"Speak." I told her. "For I am not going to allow you to kill a man without just cause."

The man stood and moved behind me, "She thinks I stole a charm that Crixus had given her."

"The opal necklace?" I asked Naevia. She just looked at me. "Have you asked Crixus?"

"It was with my things this morning and now it is gone." She told me. "I was told that he was the last seen near my tent."

"Inside of it or just passing by?" I frowned at her.

"I swear to you, Lea. I stole nothing." The man told me.

"Leave us. Go find another place to pitch your tent." I commanded of the man.

Naevia watched him leave with an evil glint in her eye, "You simply let him leave when I have not finished questioning him."

"You weren't questioning him. You were simply going to execute him without just cause."

"He didn't steal anything." Another Rebel said from the sideline.

"Hold your tongue." Naevia shot at him.

"Hold yours." I shot at her. "You do not get to make false claims and then take a man's life for a crime that he didn't commit."

"You know nothing of what you speak."

"Even if I don't the man will remain alive. Do not seek him out again." I commanded.

She gave me an evil smile, shaking her head, "You do not command me."

"I will if I feel it's necessary." I told her matter-of-factly. "As you may recall, I am a leader of this army while you are simply a general to your lover."

She glared at me before punching me hard across the jaw, forcing me to my knees. Looking up at her, those around us fell silent. Standing again, I touched the spot where she had hit, a throb of pain moving through it. Giving a short laugh, I backhanded her across her cheekbone as hard as I could with a closed fist. She came at me again, throwing herself at my middle, taking me off my feet. Kicking her off of me, she stumbled back, briefly losing balance. Standing and facing her, I still had Otho's sword in hand, not intending on using it but I had a feeling she was about to. She lowered her sword, making me think she was going to take no more action. Lowering my guard, I turned away from her, looking at my friends. Though Otho's eyes grew wide and he yelled my name, rushing toward me. Spinning on my heel, I saw the glint of metal before the ground came up to meet me, pain searing through my cheek. Rolling, I blocked her sword with the flat of Otho's, once again kicking her back as I got to my feet. Not giving her the time to react, I threw the sword to the ground, rushing forward and starting to hit her. She fumbled backward as I knocked the sword from her hands. Kicking her in the abdomen, she fell back, rolling backward and onto her feet faster than I could react, meeting her fist several times before I managed to block her. Hitting her several times, taking pleasure when I started to see blood from her nose and lip. Gripping her hair, I forced her face into my knee, throwing her onto her back. She was dazed, struggling to regain her balance.

"I don't want to talk about this again." I told her, striding past her.

A moment later Otho and Lucius were once again at my sides. Nodding, I looked at each in turn before swiftly moving back toward the center of the camp. Slipping inside Crixus and Naevia's tent, my brother looked up at me with concern, jumping to his feet.

"Lea." He frowned gripping my chin to look at my wounds.

Frowning, I pulled away from him. "Where is it?"

"Where is what?"

"The opal necklace. Where is it?" I frowned at him.

He moved to Naevia's things, looking through it all. For a moment I thought that I had been in the wrong. That I had defended a guilty man and that I would have to apologize to my sister as well as find the man in question. But then he straightened and turned with the necklace in hand.

"What's happened?" He asked handing it to me.

Taking it, I gave a short laugh before throwing it back at him with as much force as I could. "Ask your lover." I told him before attempting to storm from the tent.

"I am asking you." He frowned, gripping my arm.

"She accused a man of stealing that necklace." I told him angrily. "She was going to run him through when I stopped her. She grew angry, informing me how I couldn't command her. But she was in the wrong. I wasn't going to let her kill an innocent man."

He just looked at me a moment, nodding, "You fought."

"She attacked me!" I yelled at him. "She doesn't care who she hurts. You are the only one safe in her presence."

"I will speak with her." He said sadly.

"Don't bother." I told him, ripping my arm from his grasp and leaving the tent.

"Lea." He said following me, seeing Otho and Lucius standing protectively at my sides. He just nodded and went back inside.

The gladiators walked me to the entrance to my tent, all the while their eyes were darting around in case something should happen. More than once their hands found my back, their tenseness flowing from them. "And this is where I leave you." I told them.

"We will linger a while." Otho stated.

"No." I smiled at him. "Do not worry about me. I will be well tended once I step through this door." Otho reached his hand up and gently touched a bruise that was already forming on my jaw. "I'm all right."

"We will linger nevertheless." Lucius stated, his eyes moving around our vicinity.

Knowing there was no stopping them, I nodded, "Gratitude."

Stepping into the tent, Varro was lying on the bed, still naked, staring at the ceiling. "It's about time. I -" He started but when he looked at me seriousness crossed his face, swiftly standing and moving to me.

"I'm okay." I told him, putting my hand on his chest. Smiling, I put the other against his face, trailing my thumb along his bottom lip.

"What happened?" He frowned.

"It doesn't matter." I replied with a shake of my head, sitting on the edge of bed. "Don't do that." I smirked as he put his trousers back on.

"Who?" He asked. "I'll kill them."

"Varro, love, come here." I said holding out my hand to him.

He looked at me, sighing before stepping up to me. Kneeling in front of me, he wrapped his arms around my waist, calming as I wrapped one arm around his head, the other gently rubbing his back. Running my fingers through his hair, I tilted his head back, meeting his eyes as I kissed him sweetly. About to seduce him properly, the tent door moved and Spartacus appeared. Sighing, tensing, Varro stood and looked between us.

"Clearly you know something I don't." Varro smirked at his brother.

"What were you thinking?" Spartacus asked me.

"I was defending myself." I shot at him as I stood. "You weren't there."

"And the only ones willing to say anything about it are your men." He retorted.

Frowning at him, I slowly stepped toward him, "Are you doubting their word?"

"No." He said quickly. "I'm simply going to ask what happened."

Sighing, I nodded at him, "I stopped her from killing an innocent man."

"Who?" Varro asked.

"She attacked me when I told her to let him be. We fought, and I walked away." I told him. "Simple as that."

"Lea." Varro frowned.

Taking his hand, leaning into him, I wrapped my other around his bicep. "Naevia." He looked at me, nodding, his jaw tight before he made a move for the door. Still gripping him, I held him in place. "It's not worth it."

Spartacus sighed and nodded at me. "I'd never doubt your words." He told me. "I simply do not think one of our leaders should be fighting a brother's general in front of a crowd. Especially when said general is also your sister."

"I know." I told him. "That's why I attempted to walk away."

"And she attacked you again." Spartacus nodded.

Touching my cheek, I nodded at him. "In the end I did walk away from her."

"I'll kill her." Varro said making a move for the door again.

"You won't." I shot at him. "You will let it go. Just as I will."

"At some point whatever has happened between you two must be addressed." Spartacus told me.

Frowning, I stepped up to him, "It's not about what's happened between us. It's about her not being the Naevia that we used to know. She's hard and cruel. She is nothing like the girl I was raised with. Do not presume to put blame on me when I simply react to the person she has become."

"Have you even attempted to break words with her?" He asked.

Holding my arm out to him, he took it, his thumb running along a long vertical scar down the length of it. "Do you remember the days it took to get this wound under control? All the blood loss and days of recovery that followed?" He just looked at me, sadness in his eyes. "The time for words has come and gone. The only thing I can do is keep her at bay."

"You told me you received that in a Roman ambush." Varro shot at me.

"I don't want you to hate her." I told him. "I just don't know how to help her anymore."

"There is no helping her." Varro stated with a clenched jaw.

Silence fell between us, none knowing what to say next. For there was nothing to say. The Naevia we knew and loved was long gone. There wasn't even a shadow of her former self. She was now a warrior and as hard as anyone could be. Crixus was the only one who knew the kindness that still lived inside of her. He alone had the privilege of seeing the shadow of the girl she used to be. The rest of us could only hope not to anger her, avoiding what consequences may arise if she were antagonized.

When Spartacus took his leave, I sat on our bed, gently touching my jaw. I felt drained. Varro took a cloth and water and started to clean my wounds, not saying a word. Feeling a wave of emotion, I attempted to hold back the tears that were threatening. I had tried making it a habit of not crying. It was a weakness and as a leader I tried to show as little weakness as I could.

When he was done, Varro took my hands in his, kissing them. "It's all right." Shaking my head, I shut my eyes, clenching my jaw to hold back my emotions. Crawling onto the bed, he pulled me with him, wrapping me in arms. "Let go. I'm right here."

Wrapping my arm around him, my leg over his, I attempted to melt into him as hot tears started to stream. Burying my face in his chest, he turned, pulling me flush against him, pressing a long kiss in my hair. It didn't happen often but I didn't know what else to do. Some things had fallen into place so well and yet others had fallen apart with no hope of repairing them. My situation with Naevia was precarious, making me feel vulnerable, for I wished nothing more than to reconcile with my sister. Despite all the words I'd attempted to break with her, nothing seemed to reach her. Her mind was set and nothing was going to change it. To make it worse I could see small changes in Crixus. She was changing him. Something I would not allow, yet felt powerless against her.