A/N: It's been so long since I've been on fanfiction, but this Arya and Gendry story has been storming in my head! I've been a fan of the books and series for years and only now decided to write something! So I know there aren't too many fans of A/G because of the age difference but I REALLY love them! This is set in modern time and I don't think it'll be too long, but who knows? Now, WARNING: There is mention of abuse and rape so if you can't stomach it, sorry, there's not much violence but Arya IS going through some serious stuff! This is more about healing, and the romance will then pick up... lemons will depend on how the story picks up!

A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones do not belong to me, they belong to the brilliant mind of George RR Martin! Hope you guys like it!

Safe and Sound

He'd been in this same room only a week ago, laughing and joking around with Jon and Robb Stark before the call had come. Ned Stark had come home early and was looking over paperwork before he picked up the phone. Robb turned to ask who it was, hoping it was Jeyne, a classmate from university, but they all had taken notice of Ned's face—pale and grief-stricken.

The Starks had received a ransom call, stating that Arya Stark was in their possession and required money for her release, as if she were nothing more than a disposable object. Even though the Starks were instructed not to inform any authorities, Catelyn Stark demanded that they seek help to safely retrieve their youngest daughter.

Now Gendry was sitting in the living room with the rest of the Starks, the captors having avoided capture for a week as they demanded money in exchange for Arya, but they'd become sloppy.

About two days ago the police had found Arya's necklace, a gift from her father with the head of a wolf as its charm in a warehouse after suspicious activity had been reported. The owner was tracked down and they learned that they owned a couple of homes outside of the district. Four houses were going to be searched for, and they were all now waiting for news on Arya's safe rescue.

The Stark family were a major banking and investment mogul, partnered with the Baratheon families of commercial real estate, spreading business all over the major cities of Britain; both respectively powerful, but now at their wits end as they awaited any news.

Gendry would be the first to admit that he wasn't at all close to Arya, but he'd grown up with all of them. Five years younger than him, he'd always seen how strong-headed she was, along with all of the other Stark children. But he'd always seen something different in her eyes. Sure, like her other siblings she'd rise to the occasion whenever necessary, but Arya has always held a fire in her eyes, as if daring herself to push even farther than was necessary.

Now at eighteen she still demonstrated her fierce desire to strive forward, and so he knew Arya would make it back home, safely.

All the Stark family was standing, tired and latching on to the smallest bit of hope. His own father, Robert Baratheon was standing beside Ned, friends since their youth. To his right, Gendry could see Jon's eyes, wide and fearful. Arya had always been closest to him, and though her capture had hit everyone hard, it took a tougher toll on Jon.

It was now ten in the evening and amongst the silence a phone rang out. Everyone quickly turned towards the sound and saw the Captain answer. Because of the kidnapper's houses being in different districts, jurisdiction boundaries came into play, but it seemed that it all worked out in the end; anything for two of the wealthiest families.

With a firm nod and an "understood", the Captain ended the call and turned towards everyone.

"They've found her. She's being checked out and examined, but they will bring her here." It was as if life returned to the Stark home as everyone cried out in joy. After so many days of physical and emotional exhaustion, everyone was able to breathe again. Gendry clapped Jon on the shoulder and shared an embrace as sobs shook Jon's body in relief. Sansa held Bran and Rickon close as tears streamed down her face. Robb held onto his mother as Robert held up Ned before his legs could give out in relief.

Even with the joy that seemed to envelope the family, it was Gendry who noticed the Captain's uneasy expression. His father made eye contact with him and turned towards the Captain, Robert's easy smile going slack, "What is it?"

If the Captain felt any unease as everyone turned to look at him he didn't show it, but rubbed his scruffy chin before speaking in a detached voice, "It seems that Miss Stark received some physical blows." Catelyn released a sob as she heard what had happened to her daughter.

"What else are you not telling us?" asked the Stark patriarch, his voice firm and direct, wanting to hear the truth in its entirety.

Before the Captain could even answer there was a knock on the door and Robb immediately answered. Captain Lewis walked in, but he was alone. No one was able to question Arya's lack of presence because Lewis spoke, voice gravelly from the biting winter air, "Miss Stark will enter shortly, but I am here to let you know that as our paramedics looked her over there were many bruises and lacerations: her face, arms." It was as if the Captain took a moment to take a breath before he continued: "Bruises were also discovered on her thighs and wrists."

"What are you saying?" Jon's voice rang out, the anger now settled in.

The Captain didn't have to say it out loud, but he did so anyway, Catelyn and Ned's faces dropping in anguish, "There seems to be evidence of an attempted rape."

Every single person hung on the one word that held up their hopes, "attempted". The Captain gave the smallest of smiles and respect in his eyes as he continued, "It seems that the young Miss Stark fought hard to keep them from doing much else to her than bruises and cuts."

No one said anything. Instead, the Captain gave a small nod farewell before every other cop left to give the family some privacy. Minutes later everyone looked towards the door eagerly, waiting for Arya's entrance, and Gendry couldn't fathom what she'd been through. His breath hitched as he caught side of her pale and tired face. Arya's cheek was swollen and her left eye was deeply bruised. Her hair fell over her shoulders messily, sticking up in random places. And the blanket she was wrapped under hid any marks her body may hold. On her neck he could see scratch marks, now nothing more than thin scabs.

Arya walked in with a small limp as Ned rushed towards her. Not even the great Eddard Stark could keep his tears at bay as he took in his youngest of daughters, beaten, but alive. He took care to wrap his arms around her gently, even though he wanted nothing more than to squeeze her tightly to him— to prove that she truly was before him.

Gendry noticed how thin she looked in just a matter of days. Catelyn also rushed to her daughter and enveloped her in a tender embrace. Gendry wasn't able to hear what Catelyn had asked Arya, but Arya just responded softly, "I'm fine." She even tried to laugh, but Arya winced, as though it hurt her to laugh, "You should see the other guy."

Even through her attempted joking, Gendry could see a major change in Arya. As her siblings went to hug her, Gendry made it his duty to observe her as everyone else welcomed her home. She still attempted to joke with her brothers, but her eyes had met Gendry's, and instantly he knew it was all a façade. Arya quickly looked away, as if knowing what Gendry could see. She may be Arya Stark, but the fire within her eyes had dimmed. In Gendry's eyes Arya looked frail; something that Arya would never allow herself to be. Heavens only know what she had gone through, but it was clear in his eyes and mind that she'd be forever changed.

A/N: I know the chapter is short, and I don't think I'll have too many long ones, but again, we'll see how it goes! Let me know what you guys think!