**Continuing this story from Arya's POV. Two reasons: First, I'm not a male and therefore cannot make assumptions on their thoughts. Secondly, Gendry's POV hasn't been presented in the books, so I won't tread there either.**

Shed of clothing, down to just her small clothes, Arya held Needle in her right hand and a small dagger in her left. Her eyes were sealed shut and her own face had sweat on the skin. She practiced a dance of swords, a training lesson from Syrio that had been embellished by experience. It filled her mind with movement and training instead of Gendry. The sound of Needle slicing through the air brought her hands the steadiness she sought. Ducking, advancing and carving the invisible opponent triggered a cadence, both body and mind, of solace. All that she felt was the movement.

Finally, exhaustion took over. She stood very still, with Needle resting in the air and the dagger in her left palm. She focused on her breathing. Ser Gregor, Dunsen, Raff the sweetling, Ser Ilyn, Ser Meryn, Queen Cersei. Valar morghulis. She tip toed to the bed and laid Needle down. Something, some noise caught her attention just outside of her bolted door. Within her next breath, the dagger was buried through the wooden door.

"I am sorry." She could barely hear him. She realized that he hadn't even moved when she had thrown the dagger. She held her breath and heard no movement. "Please, Arya." She had moved onto her knees to place her ear against the wood. His left hand crept under the door and Arya fell backwards to avoid it. There was some blood, not much, on his fingertips.

Arya could not stop herself from crawling forward towards his fingers. As if her body was acting on instinct, she bowed her forehead to touch the back of his hand. Slowly, Gendry turned his hand over so that she rested on his fingertips. They stroked her skin and explored her hair.

"You left me," she choked out. "I had no one. I had nothing. I only had you." His fingers stilled. "I hate you." She sat up and away from his hand, which pulled back under the door. With no grace, he stood up and his footsteps retreated to the ladder.

She checked the bolt on the door and withdrew to her bed. Dreams brought her to dancing lessons with Syrio as her father watched. She was fully grown and in an almost full on battle with Syrio when the Lannister guards arrived. Arya turned and her father's headless body lay on the ground. The guard grabbed her shoulders as she turned to run. Gendry held fast onto her shoulders and whispered, "I'm sorry, Arry."

"No!" Arya woke up jammed into the corner of her bed and panting. She found herself looking for Gendry's hand under her door. Needle was in her right hand and her bedding had been cut into shreds. She slowly and silently made her way to the bladder of water and took a long drink. Another futile glance at the doorway and Arya was disgusted with herself again. She closed her eyes. . Ser Gregor, Dunsen, Raff the sweetling, Ser Ilyn, Ser Meryn, Queen Cersei. Valar morghulis. I am no one. I am no one.

It had been another day before the septa emerged from her quarters. The captain had inquired after her and she excused herself for having a weak stomach. He pressed a bottle of Arbor gold wine into her hands and promised that it would help. She thanked his gracious nature and promised to be at the next meal. She made her way to the rail and caught her breath at the sight of land. Her land. She had no idea what part of Westeros dotted the horizon and she didn't care at the moment. It was close. She was finding her way back.

"The Fingers, Milady." Gone was her joy at the sound of his voice. "We will head to The Bite and onto White Harbor." Go away, stupid bull. I don't want you. I don't need you. I am no one.

"Fascinating," Arya answered with venom. She tensed as he stepped closer. He blocked the view of the rail from anyone behind them and quickly grabbed her by the wrist. "If I were you," she warned, "I would let go now."

"You are not me, Arry. You are Weasel." She turned and looked at his face with her septa's. Such blue eyes. I hate you. Please don't leave me again. His grip loosened and slid to hold her hand. Soft as a leaf on a stream, his calloused hand covered hers. "I…" He looked towards the land and his eyes filled with tears. "I can't believe I finally found you." He gently squeezed her hand and walked away.

Arya pulled her hand back into the other, as if in prayer. She had to focus on her breathing because the ship suddenly felt like it was pitching back and forth. The Captain happened to be walking by and caught sight of his septa listing sideways. "Good septa, let us get you to your quarters with some Arbor Gold in your belly to help your pains."