A/N: I hope you enjoy this chapter fellow SanSan fans! RL at work has been quite depressing. A review or two would help brighten my spirits as they always do. Thank you again to all of you who are reading, following, favoriting, and reviewing my story. I do not own any characters except Borin.

"Now I wouldn't be so sure of that Clegane. I promised to help you and here I am. Funny how no one ever trusts the eunuch," Varys said in his characteristically calm, sing-song voice. "The poor child, she has been through much today. In fact, we all have. Now come with me. I have a place I can hide you in until nightfall. Escaping under the cover of darkness is your best option."

Ned stood his ground as Varys tried to urge him along.

"Where are we going Varys?" Sandor snarled. "I won't be taking the lass anywhere that isn't safe."

Ned looked at Sandor and then back at Varys, waiting for an answer. He crossed his arms over his chest, surprised that the fearsome Hound would consider someone else's safety a priority. Even though I don't trust him, at least he has some sense.

Varys sighed and spoke quietly, "We have to go back inside the Red Keep. I know of a secret way to get inside. Surely you have heard of these passages?"

"I am not taking my daughter back in there! There have only ever been rumors-"

"Come now my good Lord Stark. Most everyone knows these fabled passages as just that, a rumor, but don't you think that I would have taken the time to find them? I understand your hesitation to go back inside. Believe me, I do. However, you need to think my Lord. Think of Sansa. This is the only place I can be sure of your safety and where we can gather supplies."

Sandor stepped forward, towering over the bald man. "You better not be lying Spider. I have killed men for less."

"You can trust me."

"What about horses?"

"Horses will be readied for you and Sansa, Lord Stark. As for you, Clegane, only one man volunteered to even go near your horse."

Sandor grinned, "Well be sure to tell the buggering fool he better watch himself. Stranger is a fierce warhorse and will bite his ear off."

"So I've heard. Now come quickly!"

Varys turned around and began to briskly walk down the alley with Sandor following close behind, carrying a still unconscious Sansa, and Ned taking up the back. The small group wandered through twisting alleys, mindful to stay hidden in the shadows. Screams could be heard coming from the crowded streets, causing Sandor to strengthen his grip on Sansa and Ned on the pommel of his greatsword. They came to a niche in the wall of a building and stopped to rest for a moment. Everyone was nearly out of breath.

In a whisper, Ned turned to Varys and asked, "What happened with Stannis' men?"

Varys, breathing heavily, frowned. "Unfortunately, they were outnumbered. A small band of them escaped and the city watch is hunting for them now along with you three," nodding his head in their direction.

Shaking his head in understanding, Ned turned back to look at Sansa. Sandor still had her over his shoulder, refusing to let go for one moment. As if on cue, Sansa suddenly opened her eyes and inhaled sharply. Noticing the movement, Sandor quickly set her down on the ground making sure her back was resting against the wall. His heart skipped a beat as she looked up at him. "Sandor," she said in a weak, kind voice. Hearing his actual name being said so sweetly and without loathing or hatred gave the man a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. Seven hells, what is wrong with me? Sandor reached out and stroked her cheek with his thumb. "Aye, I am here Little Bird."

Seeing her smile when he had said that made Sandor come to a sudden realization. I care for her! His breath caught in his throat and he audibly swallowed. Before he could do anything else, Ned stepped forward, pushing Sandor out of the way, and kneeled in front of his daughter. He put his hands on either side of her face. "Sansa," he exclaimed, "my dear girl."

Sansa flung herself into her father's embrace and cried into his shoulder. The two clung to each other until voices were heard. Sandor stood with his sword ready, daring whoever they were to walk down the alley where they hid. The little niche wouldn't cover them for long. Varys nervously whispered, "I believe now is the time for us to move."

Remembering something, Sandor stopped them from moving on and reached into his tunic, pulling out Sansa's lost slipper. "You won't get very far, Little Bird, without something to protect your foot." He handed the small item out to her and as she went to grab it, his fingertips accidentally brushed her skin sending a shiver up his spine.

Sansa used his arm to steady herself as she slid her foot into the slipper. No one noticed Ned glaring towards Sandor. After the slipper was securely on her foot, Sansa smoothed her skirts and Varys took that as his cue to step out of the niche and into the alley. Sandor began to lead Sansa out when Ice appeared in front of his chest from his right side. "I will go first this time, Clegane." So it was Ned who followed Varys first, holding Sansa's hand as she walked behind him. Sandor grudgingly brought up the rear.

The voices were getting louder now and the group began to run. Sansa had difficulty keeping up and kept tripping over her long skirts, but Ned was always there to help her. Everyone's hearts froze when they heard "Stop!"

Sandor knew he had to do something to protect Sansa. They couldn't run from these people forever. He stopped and turned around, drawing a second sword out of its scabbard. While taking a battle stance, he shouted towards the others, "Keep running!" Sansa stopped and tried to pry her hand out of Ned's.

"No, Sandor please! Come with us! You cannot leave me," she bellowed. Ned grabbed her by her waist and tried to take her away.

"SANSA! We have to go now. Clegane will hold them back," Ned said loud enough so Sandor could hear. The two men locked eyes and each could see the other's internal struggle. Ned didn't want to leave their safety in the hands of the Hound and Sandor didn't want to leave his Little Bird. The scarred side of his face twitched a little as he sadly grinned. "Go now Little Bird. You are almost free of your cage."

Ned was urging her to run in the other direction with him, but Sansa stood rooted to her spot. Varys attempted to persuade her. "Dear Sansa, please. Sandor will stop them," but even he knew that was a stretch. The sound of at least 20 men were coming their way and they had been seen. The Hound, fighting alone, may not last very long. Then Sansa suddenly screamed. The City Watch had finally caught up with them.

A shorter man swung his sword at Sandor, grazing his leg with the sharp edge. The Hound growled in an angered pain and sliced the man's head off. The alley was fairly narrow and that allowed him to only fight several of the gold cloaks at a time. That didn't stop them from trying to get around him. A skinny boy, probably a new recruit, tried to sneak past Sandor's left side when he was grabbed by the arm. Sandor pulled the boy in front of him, using him to block a blow from another one of the men.

Someone stepped forward and kicked Sandor in the leg right where it was bleeding. Sandor cried out in pain as his leg went numb and he stumbled backwards, losing one of his swords. Pain radiated from the wound and he struggled to regain his balance. He fell down as a sword was brought down over his head. Sandor was just able to block it and then saw Sansa out of the corner of his eye, still struggling against her father. "GO!"

Sandor gripped the pommel of his remaining sword with both hands and pushed against the one that had nearly cracked open his head a moment earlier. Another man came forward and drew his steel across Sandor's side that had become exposed because of his raised arm. Sandor growled and with a last surge of adrenaline, pushed off both men and jumped to his feet. Blood dripped from the wounds. I've had worse.

Sandor grabbed the cloak of the man who had slashed his side and smashed his head against the wall. "You fucking cowards! Come on! Who's next?" The gold cloaks seemed to hesitate a little, but this was just enough time. A few in the back began shouting and Sandor saw their crimson blood splatter the cold stone walls. Seeing they were distracted, Sandor began to back up and soon found himself standing next to Ned, each standing guard over Sansa.

The fight seemed to be over before it had even begun. Three men came from the back, stepping over the bodies. Ned recognized the brown cloak of the leader. "Borin?"

All three men kneeled in front of Ned, but it was only Borin who spoke. "Please accept my apologies my Lord. We couldn't get here any quicker." He looked up and removed his hood, smiling once he saw Sansa. Sandor noticed that the man was young and was quite good looking. I don't like the way that bastard is looking at her. "Ah, Lady Sansa. Gods be good. You are safe!"

Borin turned his attention back to Ned and stood up. "Lord Stark, we will stay behind to ensure you and the Lady Sansa are not followed. Thank the Gods the Hound was here. Now quickly, go before you are discovered."