Unconditionally (Spartacus FANFIC -- Gannicus/Caesar/OC)

Chapter II

We had all begun our walk back to the ludus Gannicus at my side with Ulpius and another younger slave by him in front of us. I had so many questions I had wanted to ask the Gladiator so many things I wanted to know. I could feel his eyes burning into me as we had reached the cart to hasten our journey.

"I had not meant to make you uncomfortable Jana, I meant only to make you laugh." Gannicus told me as he helped me into the cart.

"You did not." I told him, "I was just shocked, and none have spoken to me in such ways before. I did not expect such words from you, we do not break words often."

Gannicus chuckled to himself; "You are growing into a beautiful woman Jana, you should expect those and much worse as you continue to blossom." He told me as he took a seat next to me Ulpius was out front with the carts rider leaving us alone with the other slave.

"Tell me Jana; do you like working in the Villa?" He asked me.

"Working in the Villa provides me a home; I am allowed to watch the games. If I where a regular slave or a civilian I would have no such abilities."

He sighed; "So you don't seek freedom from this place than?" He asked.

"A good and obedient slave would seek no such thing... there is no such thing." I told him as he nodded, "Do you?" I asked him softly. "Seek freedom?"

"I am a Champion of the Ludus, I seek nothing but glory." He told me, his tone almost emotionless.

The rest of the ride back to the Villa was quiet; I had felt as if I had upset Gannicus, which was never my intent. I had only hoped that there was something I could possibly say to him to make him more comfortable. I watched as he hopped out of the cart and moved to lift me out with ease before setting me on the ground.

"You come to me if any man gives you trouble Jana, wouldn't want a flower to be destroyed before it's expiry date." He chuckled as he walked away leaving myself and the other slave to make our way back up to the Villa.

"Besides Melitta you are the only other woman Gannicus is kind to here... you're lucky." He told me in a hushed voice as we continued up the stares. "He was kind to my sister but only because she was servicing him on the order of the Dominus."

"That is fine, I must go fine Naevia and Diona... go attend to your duties." I told him making my way away from him as quickly as I could.

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"He really asked that?" Naevia asked me as she and I began to prepare some of the foods for super. "He did, then he had become quiet as a mouse the rest of the way back to the Villa as if I had said something wrong."

"Melitta had always said Gannicus was a strange man." Diona chimed in.

"She did not!" I laughed as Melitta walked in cutting us all off. "I had said Gannicus was what girls?" She questioned causing us to snicker to each other.

"Jana, head to the balcony; Domina and her guest are out there watching the men train. Your love and knowledge of the games will prove asset in impressing the guest." She told me rushing me out the door.

"Jana, bring wine." She called causing me to rush back into the room taking a jug back with me before making my way out to where Domina and her friend where. Domina on a chair eating a few grapes as her friend seemed to be over looking the training on going below them.

"Ah Jana, you brought wine to fill cup." Domina had spoken as she held up her cup for me to fill.

"Dominus has yet again filled our ranks with another recruit. Care to view?" She asked me as the red haired woman standing before me turned around to see whom the Domina was speaking to.