AN: Wow, thank you guys for reading and following and reviewing. I can't express what it means to me given how nervous I've been about writing this. I've been reading interviews with Nikolaj and Gwendoline to help make sure I'm representing these characters properly (and totally fangirling when they talk about Braime, LOL). For anyone worrying I won't finish this - I give you my word that I will. I feel passionate about this pairing in a way that's new and exciting, so that will keep me going to the end :) I can't guarantee I'll be posting a new chapter each day, but I will do my best to keep them coming regularly. I know many of you have not read my work before and many of you have - but thank you all from the bottom of my heart, whether you're reading specifically for Braime or because you've enjoyed other things. Have a beautiful night and I do hope you enjoy the little twist at the end :)

Chapter 2

Brienne couldn't get the look she'd seen in Jaime's eyes out of her mind as she went back to her chambers once the guard returned. If she didn't know better she would have guessed he almost looked… happy. But he was locked up in a cell facing potential execution - happiness didn't seem likely. She hoped she would get the chance to ask him about it sometime, but that meant she needed to find a way to keep him alive first.

The passion in his voice when he told her he needed her was playing over and over in her head. Jaime Lannister needed her - again. She had protected him before, well, it was more keeping him alive than anything, and she'd succeeded. She could do it again. She would do it again.

The question she had to ask herself though, was why it was so important to her? Jaime had been kind and she believed they had some kind of connection. Perhaps he didn't see it the same way… or maybe he did. He'd given her his sword in a really tender moment between them and then refused it when she tried to give it back not all that long ago. He certainly wasn't infatuated with her like she was with him. Why would he be? She wasn't the kind of girl who married a Knight or wore fancy dresses and raised children. She was a fighter, a soldier, just like him. It was always inevitable that they would end up fighting for different sides one day… was that still the case?

Brienne didn't know what she hoped to get out of saving Jaime, she just knew she needed to do it. She trusted him when he said that Daenerys and Jon needed to hear the news about Cersei. She believed what he said was the truth and she had no fears he was planning any sort of double cross. He was risking way too much being there. Why couldn't Sansa see that?

Once she was back in bed Brienne was finally able to turn her brain off enough to fall asleep. In the morning she would go find Sansa and speak openly with her. If it came to begging she would beg. Whatever it took to keep Jaime alive.

Brienne woke to a loud bang on the door. Turned out it was Podrick warning her that she was about to miss breakfast. She quickly got ready and joined him and the others for a bowl of hot oats and some dried fruit.

As soon as she was done eating she took off in search of Lady Sansa. She found her where she often did, standing out on the high balcony overlooking the courtyard. "Good morning my Lady," Brienne said as she approached. Sansa turned and smiled warmly. "I was wondering if I might have a word with you… about Ser Jaime."

Sansa looked a bit surprised. "I haven't made my decision yet."

"I have a confession," Brienne replied. "You should know I visited his cell last night and I know the news he brought you my Lady."

"Why would you visit the Kingslayer?" Sansa seemed a bit annoyed but not outright angry.

It bothered Brienne when people referred to Jaime as Kingslayer but she let it go. "I… uh…" She stammered while collecting her thoughts. "I saw him at King's Landing, we had a brief conversation," Brienne admitted. "I was just so surprised he would come here and somehow got here before we did. I couldn't sleep thinking about it so I went and relieved the guard for a little while and spoke to him." Brienne was obliged to be fully open and honest with Sansa, she deserved that.

"You really should have asked my permission before speaking with a prisoner," Sansa replied, a bit arrogantly. But she softened immediately. "But I do know you have, um, history, with Ser Jaime." It was Sansa's way of letting her know there would be no punishment for her actions but also warn her not to let it happen again. "Tell me Lady Brienne, what do you think of what he has to say? What would you do with him?"

It took her back that Sansa was asking her advice on such an important issue. "I believe him. I trust him completely," Brienne replied earnestly. "I think you need to send a raven to East Watch immediately so King Jon and Queen Daenerys will know what's going on." She had no idea if Sansa would take her advice or not, but she wanted to be sure to give her a compelling case. "Even riding through the North was a huge risk for Ser Jaime. If anyone recognized him they could have killed him on the spot. Yet he took that chance to come here and bring the news to you in person. He knew there was no way you believe it if it was sent by raven. He recognized it had to be in person. I don't know the details, but Jaime was betrayed by those closest to him. I know you don't believe it, most don't, but Jaime truly is an honourable man. He would do anything to protect the people he loves…" She let her voice trail off and thought about how he'd jumped in that bear pit to save her. He'd do anything for those he loves, she repeated in her head… Then Brienne quickly dismissed that thought. Jaime wasn't in love with her then and he wasn't now, he just owed her one - that was all.

"So what if that's what this is?" Sansa asked. "What if him being here is in some way protecting the Queen? How can I trust that he's not on some sort of mission for her?"

Brienne hung her head. Sansa made a great point. But she had to make her believe in Jaime somehow. "You can't be sure," Brienne admitted. "But I know him… I trust him… and I believe what he says is the truth. If you could see the look in his eyes," she continued. "He's never looked like that before and I think… I think it has something to do with breaking free from Queen Cersei." The last part was just a guess, but if it was true it supported the idea that Jaime meant them no ill will and that he wasn't involved in some sort of plot with Cersei.

Sansa stared out over Winterfell and was quiet for a long time. Finally she said, "Okay."

"Okay?" Brienne repeated.

"Okay," Sansa nodded. "I'm not going to trust Jaime… but I will trust you." She turned to Brienne. "I won't send a raven right away, not yet… Jon and Daenerys won't even be at EastWatch yet anyway. But I will allow Ser Jaime to stay here and I will allow him out of the cell… on one condition."

"Name it," Brienne replied, wishing she was able to hide her excitement more than she had.

"Once he's out of the cell he's your responsibility," Sansa said, meeting her gaze head on. "You will keep him by your side or at least in your sight at all times. All times," Sansa repeated, her tone strict and serious. "He gets no possible chance to snoop around unattended or do anything without being watched. Nothing."

"Okay…" Brienne was feeling all sorts of panicked inside. Jaime being by her side every second of every day? While they slept and bathed and relieved themselves… She shivered. If she was being honest with herself it wasn't different than it had been when she was tasked with escorting him back to King's Landing to trade for Arya and Sansa, but it was in Winterfell not on the road and that seemed so different. "Where will he sleep?" she blurted out.

"If you prefer to lock him back in the cell each night you may," Sansa replied. "Otherwise he'll have to share your chambers. I will send shackles to put on him while you sleep, just to be sure he doesn't sneak away."

Brienne's heart was racing. This was such an unexpected twist. On one hand - she'd succeeded in saving his life and possibly even getting his message to Jon and Daenerys, but the cost didn't come cheap. She gave one last ditch effort, "If I'm preoccupied with Ser Jaime, who will watch over you and Lady Arya?"

Sansa laughed, "I think we both know that Arya doesn't need anyone to protect her anymore. As for me… You were gone for a long time and I'm just fine. There are lots of people here to keep me safe and you'll be guarding the only threat I foresee inside these walls."

Brienne sighed. She didn't often question the task she was given but this one wouldn't be easy. "Yes my Lady," she said with a nod. "I understand what needs to be done and I won't let you down."

"I know you won't," Sansa replied. "Guess you better go let Ser Jaime know the good news, hmm?" There was a strange little smile toying on her lips. "You should probably take him to the baths straight off. Don't want him stinking up the hall at dinner."

The baths. Of course. Why not? Brienne thought bitterly. But as she wandered off towards the cell the thought of seeing Jaime completely nude again became quite intriguing…