Chapter 4: Coffee and Cake

Sandor was bored out of his mind. He has been sitting at this very table for almost an hour waiting for Jane to show up. It wasn't as if she was running late; Sandor had thought that he'd get there early, so he didn't make her wait. The tall brutish looking man wasn't always curious when it came to others time but he understood that she worked longer hours than he did. Sandor understood that days off were precious for the Medical career world, that their relaxation could be quickly taken away should the hospital become overwhelmed with the sick and injured. The scarred man understood so well because his little sister was a nurse back home. He remembered all the times he would come home for the holidays to see her and she had to cut the visits short because idiots with guns needed surgery to take the bullets out of their asses.

Sandor was proud of his little sister for choosing such a demanding profession and couldn't believe what she has achieved at the tender age of twenty-two. She was brilliant and could quickly become a Maester if she genuinely wanted to and if the stupid organization allowed women into their circle. Their all dumb cunts for thinking that a woman wasn't capable of doing what a man can quickly do. Sandor hoped one day that Maelyssa could become what her heart desired.

Time continued to pass, and Sandor's little patience was thinning, even more, thanks to his nerves. The man had never been on a date before so he had no clue what to do. Finally deciding to set the book down and glance at his watch he noticed that the time read five until noon. She should be here any minute now, he thought. He ran a large hand over his scarred face and closed his eyes. Tilting his head up towards the light of the high sun he allowed feeling the little warmth it provided in these rapidly cooling days.

"Sorry if I'm late," that sweet voice of honey and milk rang in his ears, and he couldn't help the small smile that graced his lips when he heard them.

"You're not late. I just got here myself," an utter lie.

"Oh good, I'm glad I didn't make you wait."

Opening his eyes and lowering his head from the angle he had it in, he gazed into her ice like eyes. They were beautiful, and he knew he could easily get lost in them if he wanted to.

"Why don't we go inside and order something," he suggested. Grabbing his novel off of the table, he began to usher the smaller woman into the Café. Sandor noticed the smells of freshly baked goods and the tell-tale scents of caffeinated beverage and his mouth began to water. He may have a love for a good Dornish Sour, but his passion for an excellent cup of coffee was borderline religious.

"You pick whatever you want, it's on me." He peered down at the beautiful blonde, and she smiled up at him.

"I am capable of paying for my coffee."

Sandor tried to bite the laugh that was threatening to escape him but failed. "Aye, I don't doubt it. However, since this is a date its common curtesy for the man to pay for the first cup. Can't stop you from buying the next one though." He winked at her, and she blushed slightly at the flirtation.

"Very true Mr. Clegane. Fine, I concede. The next ones on me." As she said this her face was facing the menu. Her gaze was focused on the issue that laid just feet in front of her. "What would you recommend? I guess you've been here before?"

Sandor hummed in thought. Jane was correct to assume that he was a regular here, but he had never ordered more than maybe three drinks from the vast menu. Jane didn't look like a woman who had a sweet tooth so perhaps something a little bitter and stronger than the frilly looking drinks.

"I think you might enjoy 'Old Nan's Brew,' the coffee for that one is from Pentos. The coffee is sweet enough that you won't need sugar but still has a strong taste about it."

Jane's thoughtful face was all he saw in the corner of his eye as his gaze looked up at the giant sign ahead. "Alright, sounds good enough for me." Both looked at each other and softly smiled. Placing a hand on the small of her back, Sandor guided the short woman towards the counter. He ignored the warm tingling sensation that he got while touching her, he began to order their drinks. Sandor stopped short and noticed the pastries behind the counter.

"We'll take two of your muffins as well. The Fig ones," Sandor looked at Jane asking with his eyes if that was okay.

"I love figs, don't worry." She winked in return.

"Aright Sandor," the clerk behind the counter began, "Your total is going to be seven Copper Pennies."

"You always do give me the best price don't you Robert." The clerk looked on with a pleased smile at the raven locked man.

"Anything for a friend and beloved regular. Oh and we're still on for the game on Sunday?"

"Of course we are! Don't be stupid, boy. Still, have to get you back for taking all of those Gold Dragons from me the last time we played." Sandor huffed as if exasperated with the memory.

"Yeah well good luck with that, I'm better at cards than you, and we both know it." The young man proclaimed. Sandor just smirked in acceptance and paid the lad what he owed. Once the pastries were in hand and his book tucked underneath his arm, Sandor chose a table to sit at while they ate and waited for their cups of hot black liquid to finish being made.

"So you do have friends," Jane teased.

Sandor tore his gaze away from the scenery of the café to look at Jane; he gave a small smile in response. "Aye, I do. Just a few though, not many can stand to see this old ugly mug. The boy there is just too stupid to know what's good for him."

"You're not ugly, and you're not that old. I would have to guess that you're what? Thirty-two?"

"Close."

"Then how old are you?"

"My twenty-ninth Name Day was two weeks ago. What about you?"

"Twenty-six"

Sandor thought she looked younger than that, but he didn't care. As long as the girl wasn't less than eighteen he would be in the clear to take her out on as many dates as he or she saw fit. "How long have you been living in Kings Landing?" was the first of a series to come out of him.

"I've been living here since my divorce, much to my families distaste. So almost four years now? What about you?"

"By the seven," he groaned "Let's see, I came here the fall of my nineteenth year. Ten years." Jane gaped in awe at that.

"Don't you ever want to leave this place? Why would you stay in such a violent and dangerous city?" she questioned.

"My employers have never left Kings Landing except on official business. Plus the pay is good, and I have a good position. Not willing to give that up just yet," was his response.

"I guess." Jane paused for only a moment before asking, "Who exactly do you work for?"

The answer was simple, "Robert Baratheon and his family."

Jane's eyes widened to the size of saucers. Just then their cups of coffee were set right in front of them. Sandor took this moment of quiet to gulp the searing liquid. He noted that it was black and bitter with a hint of sugar for added sweetness. Just the way he liked it. Jane began to move after her momentary shock and reached for the creamer that lay in the center of the table.

The silence was finally broken with her quiet statement, "The King and his royal family. From what I've heard, they are not the most stable of people. Your job must be truly exhausting."

"Aye, it can be," was all Sandor could respond with.

It wasn't long before they continued with questions about their lives and careers. Sandor soaked in the information like a sponge, not wanting to miss a single vowel of her story. He was surprised, to say the least when he discovered that she had housed with the Starks and call them family. Jane was a mystery to Sandor, but he relished in this fact. From time to time, when she rambled into stories, Sandor would half listen and take in her beautiful form. He would notice the way she would lean in when her interest peaked during his tales, this, in turn, would cause her to give him a little peek down her shirt and he could see the tops of her round bosom.

He noticed that her shirt was a little low cut but still had the modesty to it, it was teal in color and highlighted her hair, making it seem brighter than before. In the light of the sun, her hair seemed to shine like the light of a celestial. Jane's lashes were long and painted black; this only emphasized the brightness of her ice like irises. Her lips were pink and plump but were naked. When the woman before the tall man smiled, his breath would catch in his throat. Each tooth was perfectly aligned and shone like pearls. To Sandor, at that moment, she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

"So, Sandor, do you have siblings other than…. What was his name? I don't think you ever told me." The questioning look on Janes face made the man snap back into the conversation.

"His name is Gregor, and yes. I have a younger sister who's a year younger than me. Her name's Maelyssa."

"What does she do?"

"She's a nurse, works for a hospital back home."

A thoughtful look went over Jane's face. "The world could use more nurses, Maesters even more so."

Sandor gave a quick reply before taking another long sip of his coffee. Looking out the window behind the lovely woman in front of him, he noticed someone spray painting something on the side of a building. The tall man brushed it off as teenage shenanigans and would allow whoever was patrolling to deal with it. It was not his job to deal with every brat who thought he was a gangster, no; he only had one of those to deal with.

"I hope I'm not boring you, we just talked a lot last night. I feel like I've run out of things to say." The concern was evident on her face and the brutish man couldn't help but feel embarrassed for making her feel that way.

"Don't worry, I'm not bored. Just a little distracted." His gaze once again turned to the still painting lad. Jane turned her attention to it as well.

"I feel sorry for whoever has to clean that up later." The sigh the blonde gave was filled with disappointment, the tone much like an upset mother. They both watched until the boy had run off down the road as if there was something chasing him and he needed to get away. Sandor thought it strange but when nothing happened moments after, he let it be.

The pair continued to hold a conversation until the clock read 1:30 and Sandor had to get back to work. Sandor walked Jane to the entrance of the Café and through the doors. Warmed air and a shining sun greeted them both. Jane stood still and seemed to take in the light, and Sandor could have sworn she was glowing even in this bright light.

"When is the next time I can see you?" he asked.

She glanced up to him and squinted in the light, "I should be free by Wednesday. Do you want to do something then?"

Disappointment consumed him, he would be stuck at work for the entirety of the day. "How about later that night? I'll be baby-sitting the brat till the evening guards get in at 8."

A smile graced her perfect lips and it nearly took his breath away. "Dinner at my place then?"

Now it was his turn to smile, though not as brilliantly as hers. Sandor's' was a small thing, the muscles were not used to being used in this way, but he couldn't care less.

"I'll be there. Could you send me your address though? Didn't think to ask for it before."

"I'll send it to you later today. Now I don't want you to be late," and with that, the short girl stood on her toes and kissed the horrendously scarred half of his face. Her pink lips were soft against the harsh and raised skin and the action sent the man's skin aflame. Jane took his large palm into hers and squeezed it gently, full of reassurance. In that moment Sandor had no idea what to call the emotions he was feeling for this creature of beauty and kindness. All he knew was that he wanted to kiss her again. Sandor captured her lips and tasted the coffee that lingered on them. The kiss itself was tender and chased, much to both of their disapprovals, sending shivers down both of their spines. Jane wrapped her fingers into the fabric of Sandor's suit jacket and pulled slightly to bring him closer to her.

After a few blissful moments, it was Jane who broke the kiss and released her hold on him. "I'd hate to keep you." The response she got was a grunt and a longing look in his eyes. "I'll see you later and talk to you even sooner. I promise." With one more peck, he let her go walking back to her car.

The rest of Sandor "the Hound" Clegane's day was filled with meetings held by the King and his son. The subject f said meetings varied from the city's finances, the crime rate and other important matters that did not pertain to Sandor's immediate interest. He would often find himself in fantasies of passion that involved a certain ice eyed beauty and her curvy body lying under him well built frame. Yes, he was lusting after the poor thing but he would hold himself back and go no further than what she would allow. Despite her attempts to distinguish the doubt that plagued his mind about her opinion of him, Sandor still found himself questioning just how much time he would have with Jane until she came to her senses and realized how much of a monster he truly was.