A/N: You guys are so lucky I already had this chapter outlined :D so looks like another update within two days :P I'm so thrilled at all the positive comments I've received about this fic. It worried me slightly when I posted it, and I have had someone raise the issue that no, this would not happen in real life and yes, Gendry would be prosecuted in a heartbeat. But hey, this is fanfiction and as long as people don't take it seriously, I don't see any harm in it. :-)

Arya was awake and ready to go at eight and she followed Dany to the cafeteria where she was served bacon, eggs, sausages and toast. "Good food," Arya commented and Dany smiled in response.

They sat at a table and started eating in silence before Arya broke it. "So what will you do while I'm in class?" she asked.

"Probably some filing for Varys," Dany replied. "And I'm looking at universities to attend as well."

"Cool," Arya said genuinely. "What do you want to study?"

"I don't know," Dany answered. "Something with children, or something in politics. I can't decide." They were interrupted when Varys came over with the counsellor Gendry.

"Arya," Varys greeted kindly before kissing Dany on the cheek. "I've drawn up a rough timetable for you. Gendry will be your designated counsellor. This morning's session is for you and he to start talking and then at break come see me and we will sort out your electives and after school activity." Arya stared stonily at Gendry who returned her look calmly.

"I'll be waiting outside when you're ready," he told her before turning and leaving.

"Are there any questions?" Varys asked.

"When can I get out of here?" Arya said promptly and Varys cracked a smile.

"As soon as we decide you're ready," he replied.

"When's the first visitation?" Arya asked.

"In three weeks," Varys replied. "You're parents will not worry at all if you haven't progressed – these things take time." Arya stood and shouldered her bag, taking the timetable off Varys.

"I'll see you later," she said to Dany.

"Good luck," Dany called after her. Arya waved to show she had heard and exited the cafeteria before walking straight into something hard. She stumbled back and was steadied. Opening her mouth to thank whoever it was, Arya immediately shut it when she saw that the hard thing she had walked into had been Gendry's chest.

"Ready?" Gendry asked, pulling back.

"Obviously," Arya said coldly. "Lead the way Doc." Gendry raised an eyebrow and started walking up the stairs, Arya keeping pace with him.

"I'm not a doctor," Gendry said quietly. "Just a counsellor."

"What's the difference?" Arya asked.

"I don't have my PhD," Gendry explained, glancing at her. "Just a diploma in mental health services so I can talk to you, but I can't prescribe medication." They reached room 31 and Gendry held the door open for Arya who walked in and looked around.

The room was set like a sitting room with four leather couches, a coffee table, and a desk in the corner which held Gendry's laptop and a bookshelf filled with a variety of books. Gendry gestured to the couches and Arya ungraciously took a seat, her heart hammering with nerves as she watched Gendry take the couch opposite her. Arya immediately pointed to the couch adjacent.

"Don't make this a shrink session," she said. Gendry raised his eyebrows and leaned forwards.

"Arya," he said quietly. "Is there anything that you want to talk about?"

"No," Arya said stiffly and Gendry sat back.

"If you're worried about this getting back to your parents, just know that this is one hundred per cent confidential," he told her. "I won't even tell Varys if that's what you want."

"I don't want anything except to get out of here," Arya said hotly, standing. Gendry remained where he was, watching her with interest.

"You can't get out of here until we get to the root of your problems," he said. "So if you want to get out quickly, you'd better start talking now." Arya paced, her fury rising at the prick sitting across from her.

"What would you know about any of this?" she said angrily.

"More than you think," Gendry answered calmly. "Arya, I want to help. I'm sorry you hate me-"

"Yes I hate you," Arya snapped. "I hate every-fucking-thing and every-fucking-one. I've had enough. I want out." She ran a hand through her hair and walked to the door but before she could leave, Gendry was there holding the door shut.

"Arya," he said with the closest to anger she had heard from him. "I am here to help you. I will not judge you no matter what you've done. I will not tell anyone if that's what you want. Just open up and let me in." Arya held his gaze, his blue eyes intense.

"You swear you'll get me out of here as soon as possible?" she asked quietly.

"Yes," Gendry replied. "As soon as I think you're ready, you're out of here. I swear." Arya held his gaze a moment longer and walked back to the couch, wrapping her arms around her legs. Gendry sat on the couch adjacent from her this time and looked at her attentively.

"Where do you want me to start?" she asked emotionlessly.

"Who was it you lost?" Gendry asked. Arya swallowed as she felt the familiar pang and she focused on the opposite wall.

"My brother," she whispered.

"When?" Gendry asked quietly.

"Two and a half years ago," Arya answered, looking back at him. "Mum never liked him because…because dad cheated on her but she took dad back…she drove him away."

"Why do you think that?" Gendry prompted.

"She treated him like shit," Arya said thickly, tears welling up in her eyes. "Nothing he did was ever good enough and he…he tried so hard to get her praise but she never gave him anything but cold, hard hatred and then when he was twenty he…he joined the army."

"And how did you lose him?" Gendry asked softly.

"He was betrayed," Arya explained, her voice still thick. "His friends, the people he called brothers, betrayed him and killed him. I remember being pulled out of school and I remember the funeral…wanting to be down there with him…" she gasped as she let herself properly cry for the first time since she had heard of Jon's death, Gendry watching her.

"And you resent your mother because you blame her?" he asked quietly. Arya hesitated at this before nodding and she knew straight away that Gendry noticed. He sat up straight and stared at her for a few moments. "You blame yourself, don't you?" he said softly.

"No!" Arya shouted, standing and backing away. "No, I don't blame myself! It's all mum's fault-"

"Why did you hesitate before confirming that then?" Gendry asked calmly. "Look, you were obviously very close to your brother and yes it was horrible what happened to him but there are only a handful of people who are to be blamed and they are the people who killed him."

"But I killed him too!" Arya cried without thinking and she moved back, chest heaving from her outburst and noticed something flash in Gendry's eyes.

"Tell me," he said quietly, standing as well. He moved closer to her; close enough that she could clearly see his face but far away enough to not scare her off. Arya took a few more ragged breaths and looked to the door; Gendry noticed and hastily stepped between.

"Let me go," she whispered. "I can't…I…"

"Just tell me why you think you killed him," Gendry murmured. "And then I'll let you go, I promise." Arya wiped her eyes and shook her head and next thing she knew, she was attacking Gendry who didn't react. "Let it all out Arya," he whispered as she punched his chest. "Do what you want."

Arya screamed as she punched, kicked and scratched him, furious that he wasn't fighting back. She felt the familiar itch and needed something, anything, to alleviate it, but of course there was nothing…Arya collapsed against Gendry and cried, letting the past two years escape her as she let out all her bottled-in emotions loose. She felt herself being lifted and placed onto the couch and tried to calm herself.

"Talk when you're ready," Gendry told her.

"I need…" Arya gasped and sat up, wiping her eyes and looking at Gendry. "I need-"

"Do you have a substance addiction?" Gendry asked her bluntly. Arya sat back, amazed at how accurate Gendry was.

"I…"

"Remember I'm not going to judge you for anything," Gendry murmured. "You can trust me Arya."

"I don't trust anyone," Arya whispered. "I met Jaqen through a friend who bought his stuff and he sold me drugs…I don't know what they were called but…"

"You told me you had killed your brother," Gendry prompted gently. "Explain why you think that." Arya swallowed and leaned back.

"The last thing I ever said to him was 'You can go die for all I care, Bastard.'"

"That must have been hard for him to hear," Gendry said sympathetically. Arya noticed he had flinched a little. "But I don't understand how you decided-"

"It was a horrible thing for me to tell him," Arya whispered. "We were so close and I couldn't accept that being a soldier was what he decided to be because I was selfish and wanted him home with me for always."

"How old were you?" Gendry asked.

"Twelve," Arya murmured. "Two years later, he died. How ironic."

"You aren't to blame for his death," Gendry said gently. "And neither is your mother. Only the people who turned their backs on him are to blame."

"But mum-"

"Maybe you don't know the full story," Gendry said patiently. "Have you ever properly discussed things with your mum? Your dad?" Arya's gaze turned stony.

"You said you wouldn't judge," she said coldly, moving to stand. She felt a shock when Gendry grabbed her hand and it was the jolt that ran through her more than anything else that made her stay still. Gendry retracted his hand straight away.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I didn't mean to do that."

"Don't worry about it," Arya replied, forcing nonchalance.

"I'm not judging you," Gendry told her. "I just meant that maybe things would be easier for the three of you if you all opened up. It seems there are a few feelings of resentment that need to be cleared."

"They didn't know what was happening to me…what I was doing to myself," Arya explained quietly. "I hid it from them."

"They're your parents," Gendry said. "They should have suspected something wasn't right, especially considering someone close to you had passed away."

"How can they have known-"

"I didn't say they should have known," Gendry interrupted. "I said they should have suspected. If I had a kid that lost someone really close to them, I would check on them every chance I got." Arya shrugged and looked away.

"They had a lot on their plates," she said. "I didn't want to burden them." Gendry sighed and sat back.

"I won't pretend to understand why things went as far as they did," he said. "But they realised on time what the extent of your pain was and sending you here was probably the best thing they could have done. But when they visit, I'm talking to them, and to you. Whatever problems you and your parents have, they're part of what's been going on with you and the first step to getting you out of here quickly is to make sure those feelings are let out." Arya tried to find an argument – there was no way that her parents would be okay with Gendry telling them what he had just told her about their parenting skills, but she couldn't think of a valid excuse.

"Can I go?" she asked. "I can't handle anymore of this bullshit."

"Come on, I'll take you to Varys," Gendry replied, standing up with a slight wince. "You have a mean kick and punch on you." Arya stood as well and bit her lip, embarrassed by her outburst.

"I'm sorry about that," she told him as they walked to the door. "I didn't mean-"

"I know," Gendry interrupted with a small smile. "I know how hard it is to get off drugs and I know how difficult it is to control yourself when you're struggling with addiction." Arya reddened and Gendry looked concerned. "I don't think any less of you as a person," he added in a rush. "You're handling this better than I thought you would."

"Really?" Arya asked.

"Yes," Gendry answered with a smile. They reached Varys' office and Gendry knocked.

"Enter," Varys called and Gendry and Arya entered. "Ah, Arya," he greeted. "And Gendry. Do sit down." Gendry and Arya sat and Varys looked at Arya. "How did you find the counselling session?" he asked kindly.

"It…" Arya trailed off as she thought. Yes, she had been furious when she felt she was being badgered by Gendry, but now that she had calmed down, it seemed she felt a fraction of the weight had lifted off her chest. "It was…"

"Violent," Gendry supplied and Arya grimaced.

"I'm sorry-"

"I already told you not to worry about it," Gendry said patiently.

"I don't feel so…weighed down," Arya explained slowly. "Like part of the darkness has been chipped away."

"It's a long road to recovery," Varys told her. "But this is excellent progress. Now, I have your new timetable almost ready. I want to know if you want to do track and field, swimming, football, dance or basketball." Arya remembered Syrio Forel from the previous day and how it was mentioned that he was the track and field coach.

"Track and field," she answered and Varys filled in a few places.

"Good," he said. "And your electives. Your base subjects are Westerosi, Maths and physical education and our electives are Braavosi, Valyrian, Literature, History, Biology, Chemistry, Media, Music, Dance and Performing Arts. Choose three electives."

"Braavosi, literature and history," Arya reeled off; she had done those subjects at Riverrun. Varys finished filling in her timetable and printed it off, handing it to her.

"You are on break at the moment," he explained. "Your next class is literature." Arya nodded and, recognising the dismissal, got up and went to the door before turning to Gendry. "You can tell him everything I told you," she said and Gendry inclined his head. Arya left and decided to find her way to class before checking her timetable. She didn't have track and field until Wednesday, two days away.

After classes, Arya tried finding Dany, but had no such luck. She decided to go around the grounds and try and meet new people.

She arrived at the football pitch and saw people lying around, playing football and a range of other games and was about to head to a group of girls who were watching her curiously when she saw Dany run over to her.

"You have a call," she said and Arya followed her to the side room used for making personal phone calls. "I'll leave you to it." Dany left, closing the door behind her and Arya picked up the receiver.

"Hello?" she asked.

"Arya, is that you?" Arya felt a sense of relief and gratitude. It was Shireen.

"Hi," Arya said. "How-"

"We only just heard you'd moved to the King's Landing Home," Willow said; Shireen's phone must be on speaker. "We're so sorry; we visited you in the hospital but-"

"I understand," Arya interrupted. "It's not so bad here but don't you dare tell anyone else that. I'm rooming with a girl called Dany and it's pretty much a boarding school with free periods for counselling."

"Have you had a counselling session yet?" Shireen asked.

"Yes," Arya answered. "This morning. We all get designated a counsellor and my designated counsellor is just out of uni on his first year of paid work, and he's hot."

"Wow, admit me to that place," Shireen joked and Arya laughed.

"He's scarily accurate though," she told them. "Not thirty seconds after we met, he gave me a perfect summary on what I was feeling and he was one hundred percent right about everything."

"How did the counselling go?" Lommy asked, joining the conversation.

"I may or may not have attacked him," Arya said casually. "He was good about it actually and did the accuracy thing again. He wants to talk to mum and dad when they come to visit."

"We want to come and visit as well," Hot Pie said. "When can we visit?"

"I don't know," Arya answered truthfully. "I think for now it's only family, but maybe in a couple of months if I'm deemed stable enough I can ask."

"We miss you," Willow said.

"I miss you guys too," Arya replied. "It's not the same without you all."

"You'll be back really soon," Shireen assured her. "And we promise, as soon as you're allowed visitors that aren't family, we'll be down there."

"I'll hold you all to that," Arya said. "I'd better go, my stomach has called for food."

"See you," Shireen said and Arya hung up the phone, realising with a sickening feeling that she felt annoyed at her friends. Vowing that she would bring that up with Gendry when she next spoke to him, she left the room and followed Dany to the cafeteria for dinner.

A/N: So a nice long chapter for you all :D I hope I did Gendry and Arya's session justice. At the moment she hates him, because she's associating him with her depression. Gendry is good at his job, but he will stumble a few times. I wanted to make him good at his job so that his mistakes are larger. He made a couple in this chapter.
And Arya's friends called her! Yes, Arya is annoyed at them, the reason for which you will find out next chapter. I sort of skated over the classes because a) I don't feel like they're important to the plot, b) I can't write classroom chapters to save myself and c) because I don't know a thing about Braavosi and I don't have the imagination for literature or history. Maybe when I get the World of Ice and Fire I'll put in some history classes.
I was going to base the days of the week based on the Seven (example, Monday = Maidday), but I thought it would be too confusing, so we're left with the Roman calendar.
What else do I ramble about…Gendry was going to tell Varys about his and Arya's session anyway, and one of the mistakes Gendry made is that he promised he wouldn't tell his supervisor (Varys), which is a big no-no. Anyway, this story will be a bit of a slow-burner, but I want to establish them with a bond of trust and respect before doing anything with them. Gendry is intrigued by Arya at the moment and Arya hates him, but has little bursts of trust in him.
I'll shut up now, hope you enjoyed. Reviews make me update faster ;)