AU: Thank you for all of your reviews! I appreciate hearing from you all.

Special thanks again to my beta reader LadyCarolineMichaelson from tumblr for looking over this. :D

In Fire & Blood

II. Sansa's Confession

Jon gazes into a pit a fire. The fire snaps as a log shifts in the pit. His eyes shift from the fire as he hears footsteps come towards him. There is a woman dressed in a long red dress and heavy black furs. Her fiery red hair spills passed her breasts, and her eyes study him in a sharp piercing stare. She stands next to Jon, her eyes still on him like a hawk.

"Jon Snow," the woman's voice is thick when she speaks.

Jon shifts to face her. He keeps his eyes on her, watching her movements closely. Their eyes meet for a mere second. It feels as if she can see into his very soul. Jon jerks his head away, trying to keep his face indifferent as her eyes stare him down.

"The night is dark and full of terrors," she says. "What is it that you fear, Jon Snow?"

"I don't fear anything," his lie is obvious, but he hopes it will deter her from pressing further.

"All men fear one thing or another," the woman looks into the flames. "I see a woman. She is very fair with skin of porcelain. She's chained...trapped in a tower she does not wish to be."

Jon's shoulders tense. He forces himself to avoid eye contact with her. His voice is hardened when he speaks. "Why are you telling me this?"

"I only speak what the lord tells me," she says.

Jon stares into the fire. He does not see a woman. He does not see chains or a tower. He only sees the burning embers devouring charred logs. He rises and looks to the woman. Her eyes are a striking red - red like blood. Jon tenses under her gaze. He cannot tell if she means ill or well.

"What does the lord tell you?" he asks.

"He tells me lots of things," she says. "He tells me much about you. You have a destiny - one that will bring you with much pain and grief."

"I don't believe in destiny," his voice is more blunt than he had wished it to be.

She is silent for mere seconds, pausing to look him directly in the eyes. "You know nothing, Jon Snow."

The Red Woman holds her gaze for only a moment before walking passed him. A tingling sensation runs through Jon. The way the woman spoke to him makes his skin crawl. Who exactly is she to Robert? Perhaps Cersei has sent her as a thinly veiled threat for speaking with Sansa.

Sansa. There's been this desire to act since their conversation, but Jon is unsure of the appropriate way to approach his suspicions of Joffrey. His initial thought was to beat the boy to a bloody pulp, but to do so would only create discord for Sansa and his family. He looks to Robb. He's engaged in a heated conversation with Theon Greyjoy. Perhaps, he can relay his suspicions to Robb first. Robb would be better versed in how to approach father with the subject.

Jon walks to Robb and Theon. He looks to Robb. "May we speak in private?"

Robb nods, breaking away with Theon. The men walk side by side until they reach Robb's tent. Both men enter the small makeshift home Robb's men have constructed for him. Jon weighs his options one last time. To announce his suspicions to Robb might have repercussions, but to say nothing may seal Sansa in a miserable marriage to Joffrey. Father would wish to know if his first born daughter is in an unwanted engagement. If Jon wants to be as honorable as Father, he cannot allow Sansa to leave with Joffrey.

Jon breathes. "I am not as close to Sansa as you are…"

Robb lowers his head, setting both palms on his desk. He releases a sharp breath. "I am not the only one that notices, then?"

"I think we should go to father," Jon says. "Your mother's suspicions about Bran, and now Sansa's behavior - Joffrey and Cersei always seem to bring upon misery to our family when they are near."

"You suspect that my mother was correct that Bran might have seen something amiss before his fall?" Robb asks.

"I don't suspect. I know," Jon insists. "He won't admit it, but he saw something. Cersei is hiding something from all of us. Your mother was convinced the day Bran fell…"

Robb's blue eyes lower to his hands. He draws in a sharp breath before releasing a heavy sigh. His forehead is creased and his lips are pressed into a straight line. Robb raises his eyes to Jon. He pounds on the table in one sharp motion. He's swearing under his breath as he presses both his hands against the wooden desk.

"I have no choice but to address the issue to Father. It will likely stir chaos, but to remain silent will condemn our sister to a marriage to Joffrey," Robb pauses. He raises both hands from the table and stands straight. "I shall find Father and Sansa. Wait here."

Jon gives Robb a curt nod. Robb rounds the desk and leaves the tent. His shoulders are tense as his mind races. What had Bran seen that day? Does Sansa know? Jon's mind is reaching for an answer, but nothing comes to him.

Sansa enters the tent first. Father and Robb follow behind her. She's wearing a deep blue silks and clutching to heavy gray furs. Her face is so pale, and when her eyes meet his, they say so much. No, Sansa isn't happy. The way her eyes lower demurely to conceal so much reveals the pain that she tries so desperately to hide.

Father rounds the table and sits at the head of Robb's desk. The tent is painfully quiet. Sansa looks to Jon first before turning to Robb. Robb places one hand on her shoulder protectively as she faces father.

"Sansa," father's voice is low as he speaks. "Is there something you wish to tell us?"

Sansa shakes her head. "No, father…"

Robb looks to Sansa. His eyes are soft as they met hers. "If Joffrey and Cersei are mistreating you, we will protect you."

Sansa's eyes lower to the floor. Her hands clasp together as her eyes raise back to her father.

"Cersei and Jaime…" her voice becomes thin. "I had never paid mind to what was so clear. Perhaps a part of me always knew, but wouldn't allow myself to believe it. Then, Joffrey's temper became exceedingly difficult, and I started to suspect Cersei just as Mother had…"

Sansa's eyes become glossy. A single tear escapes her, and he can sense all of her pain - all of her fear - with each word she speaks, "Senator Baelish had made a statement to me one morning. 'Do you not notice how close she is with her brother?' I did not catch his meaning at first, but I had taken notice that her children look so much like Cersei and not much like Robert. For a time, I had thought I was searching for a reason to end my engagement with Joffrey or perhaps that I was just going mad...until I saw them together. Cersei does not know. Neither does Jaime. If they knew, I'm sure you would be sent a heartfelt letter from the Empress that I'd fallen from a tower just as Bran had…"

All in the tent fall quiet. Jon's stomach twists as he imagines what Sansa must have seen. He feels sick to his stomach just imagining it. Jon looks to Father. His eyes are lowered and his hands are shaking. Sansa is pale. She leans into Robb. Robb wraps his arms around her protectively. Robb's blue eyes meet Father's.

"We can't let Sansa marry Joffrey!" Robb snaps. "Not after hearing her confession. And Bran...he's known this entire time, but has been scared into silence by that woman and her brother!"

"Quiet Robb!" Father says. "The walls have ears. I have no doubt that Cersei has men working in her favor. We must make our plans and move carefully."

"What do you suggest that we do, Father?" Jon asks.

Father is quiet. His grey eyes are distant as they always are when Father is deep in thought. He laces both of his hands together and leans forward. When he speaks, his voice is barely above a whisper. "Robb, ride to Winterfell. Tell your mother what we know. Do not let Cersei see you leave."

"Yes, father," Robb says as he dips his head into a small bow.

Father's eyes are on Jon. "I will speak with Robert myself when the time is right. Jon, until I am able to meet with Robert, you will stay close to Sansa. Do not leave this tent until I return."

Robb leaves the tent with Father, leaving Jon with Sansa. Jon looks to her, searching for words to say. Her eyes meet his, and her right hand clutches into the grey furs wrapped around her shoulders. Jon wants to give her words of hope - to tell her that it will all be fine. He wishes he could be optimistic, but one small mishap on their part could be fatal.

He manages to say, "Father will handle this."

She shifts onto one leg, adjusting her grey furs. "You seem certain. Are you?"

"I want to be," he says.

"As do I…"

Jon walks to the desk. His hand touches the smooth oak. He turns to face Sansa. "I will protect you. I promise."

Sansa's blue eyes flicked up to his. Her voice is a harsh whisper when she speaks, "I'm not sure there is much Father can do. If he confesses the truth to Robert, the Lannisters won't leave without a fight."

"No, they won't," Jon agrees. "But Robert is the Emperor…"

Sansa scoffs. "Robert is either drunk or at a brothel."

"Drunk or not he must act when Father speaks of Cersei's infidelity," Jon reasons. "This is not a matter Robert can just ignore."

"I…" she pauses. "I just want to be at home with Mother, Jeyne, and Lady. I do not care if Father keeps Cersei's secret. Joffrey will find another poor woman to marry him. It might be best this way."

Jon can sense her regret. Sansa is doubting herself for speaking the truth. Jon approaches her. He wants to embrace her just as Robb had embraced her. Sansa and him - they were never close. It feels invasive to even be close to her. He can scarcely feel the watching eyes of Catelyn Stark on him as if she were in this very room with him. He sees Lady Catelyn scowling at him with disapproval at the very sight of him being close to her daughter, and it stops him from getting too close to her.

Father returns to the tent. "Robert has had much to drink. I will wait until his mind is clear to speak with him."

"Oh, of course he has!" Sansa snaps.

Father looks to Sansa. She's wrapping her furs tightly around herself as if they alone can protect her. Her eyes are dilated and her skin is so pale. Father turns his focus to Jon.

"With Robb leaving for Winterfell, I need you to watch over Sansa," Father says. "I do not wish for her to be alone with Joffrey or Cersei if it can be prevented."

Jon gives Father a small nod. "I won't let her out of my sight."

Sansa's eyes meet with Jon's. She manages to smile for only a moment. Jon has been so used to her looking to him with disinterest that he cannot even remember if she's ever smiled to him before. It's nice. Lady Catelyn may never come to love him, but to have Sansa finally accept him is enough for Jon. He tries to imagine that maybe Sansa and Arya might act more like sisters than rivals. He remembers Ghost curled up with Lady. It would be so nice.

Sansa's eyes lower to the ground. Her arms are wrapped around herself. She breathes and asks, "Cersei hasn't noticed?"

"I have not seen her since she first arrived to camp," Father says.

Sansa's features seemed strained. Her eyes are distant once more. Father looks to Sansa and places his hand on her shoulder to comfort her.

"I know that you have been afraid for a long time, Sansa," he says. "But, you are here with your family now. Cersei can't isolate you from us, and we will protect you."

Sansa leans into Father, and he returns her embrace. She's sobbing into Father's chest, and Jon only wishes that there was an easy solution for all of this. He makes a vow to the Gods that no matter the outcome that he will do whatever it takes to keep Sansa Stark safe from the Lannisters. Whatever it takes - he will protect her.