I suck.

It's taken so long and I'm sorry.

Writer's block and college is a shitty mix. It's been difficult to focus on this with all the shit I've got going on. I'm gonna try really hard to be better moving forward.

Chapter 3: Draw a Line, with your Worthless Fucking Hands.

Robb felt paralyzed. Those eyes burned right through him. He looked like he'd been plotting to murder him ever since he was born. Robb always tried to look confident, proud, sure of himself. But Tywin's stare completely disarmed him.

Tywin was an older gentleman, with gray thinning hair. He seemed to rarely blink, only when absolutely necessary. A principled man, some might even say honorable under the right light. Most say he's an evil, conniving man. Who will do whatever he feels necessary to get what he wants. It's common knowledge what he wants; The Block. Anyone who isn't blind can see, the way he looks at Ned, like has a planned out way to murder him. He wore a black suit with a dark red shirt, no tie.

Luckily, Jon there to snap Robb out of his trance, by way of nudging him forward.

Robb shook his head to make sure he was back to reality before he slowly stepped into the room. Unfortunately, many more other pairs of eyes were waiting to look at him.

There was a long wooden table, lined with ten chairs, with ten inhabitants. The room was surprising like rather small. The only other thing in the room was in the corner an intricate table, that could be opened, containing various liquors. Most ever leader in the room had a glass of liquor with them. On the far wall was a floor to ceiling window, that looked out into the streets of the city.

A vocal scoff rang out, "This is the child we've been waiting for?" A gray-haired older woman, wearing a black dress, she sat to the left of Tywin. She glared impatiently at Robb.

Ned stood in front of the window, his chair was at the head of the table, opposite Tywin. "Yes, Olenna. My son," he said.

Olenna Tyrell. The leader of the Tyrell family, respected by every person at the table, she can be nasty when she wishes to be.

Jon also slowly stepped into the room behind Robb.

"And my other son," Ned said, motioning to Jon.

"Why is the bastard here?" A considerably younger man compared to the rest of the room. He wore an all black suit with a purple shirt, no tie. A popular, well-known man, his silver hair and violet eyes made him very easy to see. He stuck out like a sore thumb. He's a scrawny man, not strong by any means. He sat next to Olenna.

Ned gritted his teeth, "Watch your tongue, Viserys. You poor impotent child. I'd think you'd know your place by now."

"How dare you speak to me—"

"Shut the fuck up, Viserys. No one wants to hear to whine." Another man cut him off.

I'll just say it." The man continued. "We all want to know. Why did we have to wait for them?" A man called out. He sat to the left of Tywin. A seasoned, wealthy man, considering everyone in the city had to eat. He wore a navy suit with a white shirt, no tie. His brown hair was hard to see because he had so little left of it.

"Well, Roose," Ned clasped his hands. "I'm glad you asked. With that, I'll proceed with our meeting."

Also seated at the table was Walder Frey, a grumpy old man. Not very well liked by anyone really, they'll all just waiting for him to die. He can be quite blunt most times, often ornery. He sat to the left of Roose.

Surprisingly quite so far has been Robert Baratheon, he sat next to Walder. A larger man, long brown hair with a bushy beard. All he really does is get drunk and whine about how much he misses his sweet Lyanna. He'll often threaten Viserys for even breathing sometimes. The name Targaryen makes him angry even to hear. He has no aspirations, he eats, he drinks, he fucks, then he goes to sleep. When he wakes up he does it all over again. Currently, he wore a black suit, and a white shirt that needed to be buttoned a couple more times, his abundant hair was spilling out.

Next to him was a fishy smelling man, named Euron Greyjoy. He's spent his entire life around boats and ports. He gains most of his money through imports, exports, shipping. Recently he's come into the cruise business, he owns two large cruise ships that travel all around Westeros. A middle-aged man, not popular amongst the leaders, but no one hates him. He wore a dark blue suit, with a black shirt, no tie.

"Finally," another man called out. "I've things that need to be tended to." An olive-skinned man, Oberyn Martell, seated next to Viserys. He wore a tan suit, white shirt, with no tie. The Martell worked in conjunction with the Starks to control all production and distribution of any and all drugs in the city. Unlike Ned, Oberyn loved the drug business.

Low grumbles could be heard from a man seated next to Oberyn. Yet another older man, Jeor Mormont. A close friend of Ned, well liked by everyone at the table. Though his business was clothes, he could be brutal whenever necessary. Ned himself has witnessed him beating men to death with his fists. Seemingly the only thing he wore were black leather jackets, the same black beret, the same black circular sunglasses that he wore inside. He often could be seen smoking a cigar, he smoked one now.

Robb and Jon shifted to stand on either side of the door. Jory and Niko went and stood behind Ned.

Ned cleared his throat, "Before I get to what I need to say. If any of you have any pressing issues. Best say them now."

Robert spoke up, "You all know what I am going to say… Rhaegar Targaryen. He needs to be found."

Nearly everyone in the room groaned or muttered something to themselves.

"For fucks sakes, Robert," Roose said. "Spare us. The man is dead."

Robert slammed his hand on the table. "He's not! Show me the body. If he was dead I would've seen the body, or I would've taken his life myself… I have my people combing the desert for the man. If was dead, I would know. The man is alive."

Viserys smirked, "You've been looking for him for years. What makes you think you'll find him now?"

"Shut your mouth, boy," Robert threatened. He sat up in his chair, "I've made my thoughts about you known to all many times. I detest you. I loathe you. You are deplorable. I've begged Ned to let me squish your head with my own two hands. I-"

"That's enough Robert," Ned cut in.

"Although, while we on are the subject," Olenna said. "Let's say for example Rhaegar is alive. Viserys, has he made contact with you?"

Viserys snorted, "No, of course not."

"Do you think he's alive?" Tywin asked him. Everyone stole a glance at the old Lannister when he spoke for the first time in this meeting.

Viserys paled and began to stutter.

"Do you think he's alive?" Tywin asked again, louder.

"I don't know!" Viserys finally squeaked out.

"If you do," Robert hissed, pointing a finger at him. "You best tell me immediately. If you don't, and I find out about it. I'll beat you senseless. There might need to be a vote for me to kill you, but there ain't a rule about beating the shit outta ya. If it were up to me, I'd put you and your bitch sister in a pit and bury you alive."

Euron chuckled, "I'd pay to that."

Viserys looked like he'd seen a ghost. His face was white as a sheet.

"That's enough about that," Jeor grumbled, huffing his cigar. "Let's move on, shall we?... Cars, I want the business."

Ned stroked his beard, "Hmm… Dealerships? Production?"

Jeor nodded, "Both. There's a bunch of dealerships in the city, I want to build a factory in the North. Plenty of unused lands up there."

"Alright, anybody else want in?" Ned asked the room.

"Which companies?" Tywin asked.

"Not all of them, just Pulsi, Avent, and Swann. All three dealerships, the factory will produce Swann probably."

"Fine. I want Zetele. I've been in talks with the current owner for some time. The dealership near the Red Keep, I don't care for production."

"You can have it," Jeor told him.

"Anyone else?" Ned inquired with a small sigh. He waited at least thirty seconds and no one said anything. "Okay, any of the other dealerships and companies are up grabs. Jeor, You're good to go."

Jeor smiled, "Great."

"Ned, I've been meaning to call you," Oberyn said. "But since we're all here, I'll just say it now… We've developed a new product."

"A new drug?" Roose asked.

"Yeah," Oberyn replies. "We call it Zerro. Highly addictive, it's versatile as fuck. Smoke it, snort it, shoot it, whatever you want. We expect it to sell like wildfire."

"When?" Ned asked.

"Today. Your people have probably already picked it up."

Ned crossed his arms over his chest, "Fine… I'll get to what a need to say now." He looked at Robb, "Come over here."

Robb sucked in a deep breath and let it out before he moved. He could feel every pair of eyes glaring at him. He tried not look fazed.

As Robb moved to stand next to his father, Tywin's face changed from pure boredom to a combination of disappointment and disbelief. He muttered quietly to himself, "You have got to be fucking kidding me." Fists clenching tightly under the table.

"This is my son, Robb," Ned said brightly. "Many of you can probably already guess what I am about to say."

Walder grumbled, "Do you even need to say it?"

Ned smirked, "My son, Robb Stark, in the event of my death, will succeed me."

Oberyn raised his eyebrows, "Okay? I really don't care as long as he keeps up with our agreement, Ned."

Ned looked at him, "He will."

Oberyn sat back in his chair as if to go sleep, "Good."

"You will let this boy succeed you?" Olenna asked.

"I will," Ned replied. "He'll be ready."

Viserys was clearly upset. It was common knowledge that he wanted The Block to continue his family's legacy. As much as he hated to say it, he knew he wouldn't have it anytime soon.

Tywin said through gritted teeth, "So, this is how it is?"

Ned nodded slowly, "It is."

Tywin laughed, "Ha! You have got to be fucking kidding me. You'd rather let that child succeed you than one of us? Huh? You coward."

"One of you?" Ned said. "No. I just want to keep the title from you. It's no secret that we share no love between us, Tywin. That's okay, we were never supposed to. I know you lay awake at night thinking of much you wish my death. You hate me. I hate you. It's mutual… I'll do anything I can to keep The Block from you. Speaking of which, from this day onward I won't allow you to traffic women."

Tywin face turned into a scowl, "What did you say?"

"Sex trafficking. You steal women of the side of the street. You keep them in basements, lock them away and hope I won't see them. I do. You sell them, for sex, for money. You send them to Essos, you hold auctions every Sunday and Monday. It's gone on long enough. You can keep the brothels and strip clubs. But you must release all the women you hold captive."

Olenna looked appalled, "Tywin, is this true?"

"No. Of course not," he replied quickly.

"You deny it?" Ned asked him.

"Yes. That's disgusting."

Ned smiled, "82 Gum Street."

Tywin's eyes widened, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Jory stepped up, "82 Gum Street. Men baring your mark, The Lion of House Lannister. Were seen going in and out of a building there. Upon further investigation, at least twenty women were found in the basement. They were malnourished, sick, weak. You must have some pretty fucked up buyers."

"But that's just one," Ned continued. "There's another building just down the road, the women in there were more well kept. There weren't starving or sick. I suppose they are worth more that way."

"That's not how we are supposed to do things here," Jeor said.

"Do you deny it?" Ned asked him again.

Tywin hung his head and cursed under his breath. When he looked back up, his face portrayed absolute hatred. He shot up from his chair, looking at Ned. "What's your problem? Do you want to kick dirt at me? I am I all that bad? You help Oberyn to traffic drugs, Walder's family kills people every day. We've all killed, we've all had people killed, threatened people. We're all dirty. No more than the next."

"Nevertheless, the sex trafficking stops today," Ned said. "Release the women."

Tywin fell back into his chair, seemingly exhausted.

Walder grunted and looked at Ned, "What do you care if he traffics women?"

Ned squared his shoulders, "It's wrong. It shouldn't be allowed."

"Since when do you care about what's wrong?" Walder questioned. "Have you forgotten what this organization is about? We are criminals."

"I realize that, Walder."

"Is there good and bad crime? My people kill hundreds of people every day. You and Martell hand out drugs to people every day, and they always come back for more… until they don't. You take advantage of people."

Ned sighed, "What's your point?"

"We're all crooked. We're all bad people." He sat up in his chair and waved one of his bony fingers at Ned. "You are a bad person. I just wanted to remind you of that."

"Thanks for that, Walder," Ned scoffed.

Tywin huffed out a heavy breath, "Fine. I'll let the women go. Is this meeting finally over?"

"I've drawn a line in the sand, Tywin. Get over it," Ned quipped.

Tywin smirked, "Go ahead. Draw a line, with your worthless fucking hands. It'll be washed away soon enough." He shot up from his chair and stormed out of the room.

Ned grunted, "This meeting is over."

Five minutes later, everyone had left the room except Ned, Jon, and Robb. Ned poured himself a drink, while Robb sat in Tywin's chair and Robb in Olenna's.

"Remind me again while we can't just kill him?" Robb asked.

Ned picked up his glass of whiskey, taking a sip.

"Because" he started. "The killing of a man like that takes a lot of time. You can't just have someone pull up on him on the sidewalk. There has to be a vote."

"Well, why don't we have a vote?" Jon asked like it was the obvious thing to do.

Ned sighed, "Because not everyone wants him dead," he replied. "The vote has to be unanimous. I wish it was as easy as you think it is."

"So what do we do?" Robb inquired.

"Nothing," Ned said, sipping his drink. "We can do nothing. I've done all I can, I am doing all I can. The only thing we can do is hope that he doesn't hate me as much as I think he does."

Jon shrugged, "From what I saw he hates your guts, the glared he gave you sent shivers down my spine."

Robb half-laughed, "You shoulda seen when he looked at me, he looked like he'd thought out fifteen ways to kill me."

Ned downed the rest of his drink and put the glass on the table, "Alright guys, I'm going to try to relay everything I think the two of you should know."

"Right now?" Robb asked like he had places to be.

Ned scoffed, "Yeah, right now."

Robb slumped down in his chair, "Well get on with it then."

Ned crossed his arms over his chest, "Yeah get comfortable, we're gonna be here a while."

"Robb and I wanted to go to the club tonight," Jon said.

"For fucks sakes," Ned pinched his brow. "Can you both just shut up and listen to me?"

"Yeah, fine," Robb replied.

"Sure," Jon echoed.

"Okay," Ned said. "The most important thing right now is to remember that from this point on I could die at any moment. If and when I do die, Tywin is the first person to interrogate. I don't care what he says, he had something to do with it. I don't know what he'll do, but I assume it will be soon."

"I've got a question, so what does he gain from killing you?" Jon asked. "He can't have The Block, cause it's Robb's once you're gone. What's the point?"

"Tywin hates me. Always has, and always will. I have similar feelings for him. What I did to him today will send him over the edge. He thinks killing me will make him feel better. He's always wanted me dead ever since I won the election years ago. And we weren't friends before that."

"So he just was to spite you?" Robb asked.

"Basically," Ned responded. "Anyways, before I really get into it. Do either of you have any specific questions?"

"Yeah, what's in the basement?" Robb responded quickly.

"What?" Ned said, shaking his head in confusion.

"The basement," Jon added. "When we got to the elevator to come up here, Robb noted the down arrow. When he asked Niko about it said to ask you about it."

"Ooh," Ned laughed. "Right, the basement. I don't really like to use that place. It's a place that people go when they've fucked up. Specifically, people who've fucked with the families."

Jon frowned, "What do you mean?"

"Well, let's say a group of guys jumped some of my people on a drug run… When I caught those guys, I could take them to the basement. There, I'd do whatever I wanted with them. Torture them, shoot them, beat them, bleed them, waterboard, whatever I feel necessary."

Robb grimaced, "Fuck, Dad."

"Like I said, I don't use that place."

"Why not?" Jon asked.

"Because the Starks have their own place, The Smoke Shop. I'm actually not sure why it's called that. It's a place at the docks, a warehouse. I bought it from Euron years ago. Now, I do use that place."

"Often?" Robb wanted to know.

"Yeah, I never do the stuff. But sometimes it needs to be done. Anything else you wanna ask?"

"Is Rhaegar alive?" Jon asked.

Ned seemed to freeze, caught off guard by the question. He began to sputter some incoherent words out.

"Dad?" Robb said, cocking his head to the side. Jon started to snap his fingers hoping Ned would come out of his trance.

Suddenly, he spoke, "Why would you ask me that?"

Jon shrugged, "I'm curious. Plus, if anyone knows, it's you."

Ned shook his head, "Ask something else, I won't talk about him."

"What?"

"I won't talk about him," he repeated in a somewhat threatening tone.

"Ookay," Robb said with a chuckle. "Hit a nerve."

Suddenly, Ned seemed like a thought flashed through his brain. "Actually, I want to ask Jon a question," he said. "Jon, I'm surprised. You surprised me when I told Robb that I wanted him to be King, and not you. I figured you would've at least mentioned something to me about it."

Jon glanced at Robb like he wished he wasn't in the room. Robb looked like he'd zoned out.

"What kind of question is that?" Jon asked.

"One I want an answer too," Ned said bluntly.

"I-I don't… I don't know why I didn't say anything," Jon's voice started to get shaky.

"Do you want to know why I chose Robb?"

At the sound of his name, Robb came back to his senses, "What?" he said, signaling he was paying attention again

Jon looked back to Robb for a second, then back to Ned. His face said that he was deciding whether or not he wanted to know why his father thought Robb was more qualified to be King that he was. Of course, Robb was older, and that's typically how these things work, the eldest child gets all the stuff. Jon understood that. But that didn't mean he wasn't curious. He knew that once Robb was King, he would handle a large portion the business. Simply because Robb didn't have the attention span to think about the same thing for too long. He knew that Robb would make rash decisions, probably a lot of those would cost him. It isn't that Jon is smarter than Robb, it's simply that fact that the momentous responsibility of being King of The Block seemed too much for Robb.

Robb often thinks with his heart, not his head. He'd always do what he thought was right, it's that what he thought may not actually be the right thing to do. He's also a bit of a hot-head, he got into fights often as a child. Most of those fights he won, the problem is that he shouldn't have been fighting in the first place. He's quick to anger and can be easily offended.

Jon would also want to do what he thought was right. The separation is how Jon know the difference between what his heart wants, and what is actually the right thing to do. Throughout his life so far, has been a thinker. In the sense that he out thinks people, calculates that extra step, go the extra mile. He's calm and collected.

Ned understood this as well. Jon was clearly the correct candidate for the next King. But, somehow Robb was going to be next.

Jon came to this conclusion his mind, but that doesn't bother him. He was never a leader, never wanted to be. He didn't mind that Robb was going to be King, even when he should be. Because he didn't want to be King. The prospect of having all that power didn't excite him.

Jon shrugged, "What if I do want to know?"

"Know what?" Robb inquired.

Ned seemed to ignore his oldest, he moved closer to Jon. "We both know it should be you," he told him.

Jon had an emotionless reaction because he already knew that, "Then why isn't it?"

"Because you don't want it, so your heart won't be in it," Ned had thought his decision through many times. "You've never wanted to be a leader, you'd rather follow. But leadership keeps following you."

Jon was team captain of the football team all four years of high school, quite the accomplishment. He played quarterback, he led his conference in passing, touchdowns, and completions all four years. He didn't want to be captain he was elected.

He was elected class president three times, he didn't even run. He's been known to take charge of situations, people follow him naturally, he leads naturally. Followers know a leader when they see one.

"I've got a plan for you, Jon. You have no idea what's in store for you. I wish I could see it when it happens, how old are you? nineteen? Damn, I wish I could live to see you turn twenty-one." Ned smiled big and large, knowing all that he knew would happen in the coming years.

Jon going to say something but Robb cut him off, "What were you going to say about Viserys Targaryen back at the house?"

"Hmm? Oh…" Ned grumbled. "The airline business, I let him have it."

"Why is that a bad thing?" Robb said, beginning to pick at his nails.

"Because that boy doesn't deserve a damn thing, he's just so fucking entitled. Just because his father was King. He thinks he has rights to The Block. But he doesn't, the Targaryens had nothing to with the forming of this organization, they were even a late addition… I didn't want to let him have the airlines, but they were having issues financially so I let him have it. It probably wasn't even his idea."

"Who's idea was it?" Jon inquired.

"I don't know, don't care really," Ned snorted. "The point is they are flourishing because of me, did I get a thank you? Of course not. That fucking airport is full of planes and people land and take off by the boatload every day. Now that I think of it, there is no way that was his idea, way too smart. Too much of a good idea for an idiot like that to have anything to do with it, even though he takes all the credit for the idea." Hearing Ned speak of Viserys told of what he really thought of him.

"So, as King, you can decide whether or not people can take businesses?" Robb asked.

"Yes, if you recall Mormont asked me about cars today. I could've said no, I could've taken it for myself. I didn't because he and I have been friends for years… Speaking of Jeor, Robb, you should become well acquainted with him, he will be a fine ally amidst plenty of foes. That's a nice segway into allies and the people who sit at this very table."

"Jeor, Oberyn, Robert, and Olenna, are my closet associates," He continued. "Although I've grown to dislike Robert over the years, we were close friends once. But his boorish attitude to everyone and constant drunkenness is hard to stand. But he's still an ally. Oberyn, I sense is only an ally because I've made him a millionaire. He'll do anything to keep the money coming, and it's important you keep your bond with him strong. Drug dealing aside, he's a fine man. Olenna and I have been allies for years, we think alike. And as long as you don't step on her toes or disrespect her you'll stay in her company. Farest from me are obviously Tywin, then Walder, Roose, and Viserys. Euron isn't an enemy but he's quick to take sides. Roose isn't technically an ally but our hostilities have ended since Sansa is dating Ramsay. Euron though, I've heard he lies awake at night thinking about Tywin's daughter, Cersei. If an offer of marriage was brought up from Tywin he'd jump a the opportunity."

Robb scoffed, "Doesn't Cersei fuck her brother?"

Ned smiled, "A rumor. I don't know of its validity. But if it is true, that'd a gut punch for Tywin. I've never thought to investigate, but that could be worth it."

"But doesn't she have kids?" Jon asked.

Ned nodded, "Three. Joffrey, Tommen, and Marcella."

When Robert lost Lyanna, he settled for Cersei Lannister. They were married for five years before Cersei divorced him. They supposedly had three children together, but many wonder of their birth. All three lack the Baratheon hair, something that all Baratheon children have sported. Fingers were pointed at her brother, Jaime, as the real father. Any and all accusers were thwarted by Tywin, and even insinuating that Cersei's children could be bastards could get you shot.

"Joffrey is a fucking brat. Tommen and Marcella are decent kids," said Ned. "But I've never really had much interaction with them."

"Well maybe we should look into the kid's legitimacy," Jon proposed.

"I'll get my people on it," Ned relayed. "So, let's talk about the Lannisters for a moment. They are not to be trusted under any circumstances. Specifically, Tywin, Jaime, and Cersei, anything they tell you must be taken with a grain of salt. All they want is to kill, steal, and destroy."

"What about Tyrion?" Jon probed.

"The imp?" Ned shrugged. "Tywin could care less about him. If his name wasn't Lannister than he'd been left in the street. He spends his time drunk in brothels. But as far as I know, he is far removed from his siblings, morally at least."

"He got anything to do with their business?" Robb asked.

"I think he wishes too," Ned replied. "But doesn't currently. But I don't think Tywin trusts him enough…" He sighed, "If you don't remember one thing about this conversation, remember this: I love you both, so much. And I hope I'm wrong, I hope Tywin's doesn't lust for the end of my life. But I'm confident he does. I do want to leave, I don't want to die…"

Robb smirked, "Does anyone want to die?"

"Yeah, actually," Jon laughed. "A lot of people."

Ned sighed, "Seven hells, is that all you gleaned from what I said?"

"I heard you, Pop," Robb said. "You know I loooovvee you."

"Goddamnit," said Ned, shaking his head. "There's more to tell, but I have to go." He walked to the door and opened it. "By the way, you cannot tell any of this to your siblings."

"Don't they deserve to know?" Jon asked.

"No, not yet."

I PROMISE Dany comes next chapter. She would've been here now but since it took so long I figured I just needed to get something out.