Teaser

Jaime and Brienne again face the glare of the media spotlight once they're allowed to return to King's Landing and the news of what happened to them when they exposed the Dreadfort Killer leaks out. They do their best to avoid the publicity, refusing interviews and simply pushing their way past the varysazzi, until finally, thankfully, the next big story breaks and leaves them in the dust.

Jaime/Brienne slowly heal physically even if they occasionally fall silent, staring at nothing. If one of them wakes in the night, the other simply holds them close and comforts them as best they can.

But time doesn't stop for anyone or anything. Life goes on, and they have a business to run.

For the next few weeks, they take on cases that deal only with theft or insurance fraud, and do their best to avoid murder cases.

"Do you think we've turned craven?" Brienne asks.

"No," Jaime says and tugs her into his arms, "I think we're hurt and need time to heal."

*/*/*/*/*

When Tyrion finally returns to King's Landing from wherever Tywin had sent him, he listens to Jaime's story and says, "I wish I would have known." He sips his drink, scowling. "I was almost too late last time."

Jaime puts his right hand on Tyrion's shoulder and says, "You arrived just in time," he says, "and I will never be able to repay you for saving me."

Tyrion shakes his head. "You're my brother, Jaime, whether you claim me or no; whether we're related by blood or no. You're my brother, and there's nothing I wouldn't do for you."

Jaime's eyes narrow. "Why do I suddenly think we're talking about something else?"

Tyrion sighs. "Cersei called."

"No."

"It's nothing bad!"

"It's Cersei; of course it's bad!"

Tyrion grimaces. "Well, there's no argument there. I would gleefully say no and laugh in her face, but Tywin has also lent his voice to her pleas."

Jaime closes his eyes. "Dear gods...what do they want?"

"Joffrey is throwing a massive party at the DragonPit where he's going to announce his engagement to Margaery Tyrell. Cersei wants you and your agency to provide security."

*/*/*/*/*

"He's engaged again?" Brienne says, her nose wrinkled in a grimace of disgust.

"The boy works fast," Jaime says drily, "although even a rock star's reputation may start to take a hit if he keeps cycling through fiancées at this rate." He glances at Bronna, who's with them in the board room along with Sam. "No offense."

"None taken," Bronna says, "although I'm not sure what Joffrey's thinking! He's even invited me and Sansa!"

"Maybe he's trying to show the media there are no hard feelings between him and his previous fiancées," Sam says.

"Boy, is he wrong," Bronna mutters.

"You're not going to go, are you?"

"Of course I'm going! So is Sansa! This may be our only chance to warn Margaery before she makes the mistake of actually marrying the asshole. Although she should know what Joffrey's like; her brother is Joffrey's uncle-in-law, after all."

Everyone else frowns at that then their faces clear. "That's right," Brienne says. "Loras Tyrell is Margaery's brother." She shakes her head and turns to Sam. "Did you get invited, too?"

Sam shakes his head. "Thankfully, no. People tend to forget I'm Randyll Tarly's son, and that's usually the way I like it."

"Still, it's being touted as the social event of the century," Bronna says.

"More like the train wreck of the century!" Jaime says.

"I don't know," Sam says thoughtfully, "it'll take a lot to knock the non-wedding with Sansa out of top spot."

"So I take it this means we'll take the case?" Jaime says.

Brienne gives him a thoughtful look and nods, and Jaime knows they're going to have a long talk later that night, once they're alone in her apartment.

"Well," Jaime says, slapping his hand on the table and getting to his feet, "make sure you bring the popcorn."

*/*/*/*/*

"Are you going to be all right with this?" Brienne asks as she puts the steaming casserole on the table and sits across from him.

He lifts an eyebrow. "You know I love your tuna casserole," he says.

She rolls her eyes. "You know what I'm talking about!"

He sighs. "I know, and yes." He gives her a bittersweet smile. "Although this is the first time I'll be at one of Joffrey's marriage things when I know he's my son."

"Supposed to be," Brienne says and frowns as she chews on a mouthful of food. "I should be able to get a DNA sample from Joffrey easily enough once we're at the DragonPit; you can know for certain."

Jaime shrugs. "If you'd like. Tywin confirmed it, though, and he never makes mistakes."

She raises an eyebrow. "Never?"

He grins. "Almost never. If you can get the DNA sample, we'll do the test, just to be sure."

She nods. "With luck, the night will be boring…not like the non-wedding."

He groans. "It's Cersei and Joffrey. Don't get your hopes up."

*/*/*/*/*