Eleven

~Sansa~

They got to spend two and a half days locked away together before Tywin himself came pounding on the door, demanding their presence at dinner.

In those two days Sansa developed a new understanding for her Lannister husband. They shared stories of their childhoods while sipping spiced wine, and though her head grew foggy the more she drank, Sansa started to realize something. While many of her stories involved her brothers and sister, or her parents, Tyrion's only ever involved Jaime.

When she finally worked up the courage to ask him why his stories were only about Jaime, he just laughed.

"Jaime was the only member of my family I ever spent time with."

"What about Cersei? Or your father?"

"Cersei hated me, still does in fact, for killing our mother. She died giving birth to me, and Cersei has never forgiven me. My father blames me as well."

"That's ridiculous. There is nothing to forgive. They are imbeciles if they think that!" Sansa scoffed. "I bet your mother would not blame you if she were here."

"You're too kind… much too kind for a demon monkey like myself. I'm quite the dream husband, I know."

"Now, now. I am the disgraced daughter of the traitor Ned Stark, it seems we are a perfect match," she smirked.

"I'm starting to believe so," Tyrion said, so quietly Sansa wondered if she misheard.

When they weren't reliving their childhoods, Tyrion taught her to play chess. She was certain he threw a few games, but he just assured her that his teaching prowess must have been even greater than he imagined. In return for Tyrion teaching Sansa chess, she tried to show him how to do needlepoint.

She was shocked to see how quickly he picked it up when, after only an hour's time, he showed her an elaborately stitched curse word that made her blush.

"Are you just talented at everything?" she asked.

"Many things," he answered with a wink, "but I may have deceived you. I already have a basic knowledge of this craft."

"How?"

"When all the other little boys were out playing knights, I wasn't allowed to join them. My father feared I would embarrass our house. So, I spent my time locked away with my nanny, when Jaime was not around, and after repeatedly begging out of boredom, she showed me how."

"And your father was okay with that?" She asked incredulously.

"Well, he didn't find out for a few months. That's how long it took him to notice that I'd been stitching this word," he held up his needlepoint, "onto all of his clothes."

Despite the crassness of it, Sansa couldn't help the laughter that bubbled up at the thought of Lord Tywin sauntering around Casterly Rock with the word 'cunt' sewn into his sleeve.

"Please tell me Cersei suffered a similar branding?" Sansa asked, still grinning.

"Oh, yes… though I wasn't as subtle with hers. I remember being banished from her and Jaime's name day festivities when she opened up my present, a extravagantly monogrammed gown. The laughter erupting through the hall when she pulled it put of its wrappings kept me strong while I received my lashing later."

When she was finally able to control her giggling, Sansa could only stare at Tyrion in wonder.

"You are amazing. How were you born into such a family?" She asked, and then immediately regretted it. "Forgive me, I did not mean—"

"Sansa, don't… I've often asked myself the same question."

Once they would climb into bed Sansa would immediately curl up to Tyrion. She knew she would do it in her sleep anyway, and she feels better close to him. He seems to keep her nightmares at bay.

When the time comes to finally leave their room and be burdened by the presence of other people, Sansa is a little nervous. After two days of not having to hold her tongue, or guard her expression, she just hopes she doesn't let anything slip.

She dresses in green silks and is pleasantly surprised to see Tyrion has dressed to match her. She can't believe how different he looks to her now than he did when they first met. Sansa can't look at him without thinking how handsome he is, and have her stomach start fluttering. She briefly wonders what it would be like to have him as a lover.

"Sansa? Are you ready to go? You look a bit flushed. You haven't actually come down with something have you?" Tyrion asks, studying her.

"What? No! I'm fine… ready to go if you are."

Tyrion opens the door and gestures her to go first.

They go to the same dining room as before, but this time Tommen is missing, in his place is Jaime.

Sansa is careful not to stare at his stump, having been prepared by Tyrion beforehand.

"Ah, my new sister," Jaime says loudly, standing. "Why don't you sit across from me so we can get to know one another. I'd love to get to know you just as well as my twin. You are a welcome addition."

Sansa is certain she isn't the only one to catch the double meaning behind his words, if Tywin's scowl and Cersei's burning eyes are any hint. She's also certain, thanks to Tyrion's tip about Jaime being mad at Cersei over something, that his words are meant to elicit that exact response.

"Thank you, I would like that," she smiles sweetly, taking a seat across from Jaime, and unfortunately to the right of Joffrey who sits at the end of the table.

Tyrion seats himself to her right, across from Cersei and next to Tywin. The servants immediately begin serving them, and the table is quiet while everyone gets situated.

The quiet doesn't hold. Soon Tywin is discussing war tactics with a bored Tyrion and enthusiastic Cersei. Tywin seems to be trying for Jaime's attention, but without success.

"How are you enjoying King's Landing?" Jaime asks Sansa.

"I'm finding it most pleasurable, Ser."

"Indeed, she is, uncle," Joffrey smirks, sliding his hand up her thigh under the table. "Sansa knows how to keep herself busy."

"Glad to hear it."

Sansa tries to keep the grimace off her face, but the odd look Ser Jaime is giving her tells her she isn't succeeding. She grasps for a topic, trying to ignore Joffrey's fingers biting into her leg.

"I was glad to hear of your safe return, " she says. "I am sorry for what you must have suffered at the hands of my treasonous relatives."

Jaime looks at her peculiarly.

"They miss you," Jaime says quietly. "That's why your mother released me."

Joffrey's hand pulls away from her.

"Jaime!" Tywin growls, having stopped talking just in time to hear Jaime's proclamation.

"Tyrion has informed me about what you had to agree to for your freedom," Sansa says. "I know that as being a member of the Kingsguard honor is very important to you, which is why I wanted to reassure you that your debt has already been paid."

"How is that?" Jaime asks, confused.

Sansa glances over to see that Tywin and Cersei are both watching her intently, while Tyrion is emptying his glass of wine.

"As Lord Tywin explained to me the last time we had dinner together, you are all my family now, so there is no need for me to be relocated. Also, you had no knowledge Arya was no longer in the capital, so you cannot be held to that word. If you would like, I would be more than willing to write my lady mother and point all this out to her."

Sansa's words cause an array of reactions. Tywin has a satisfied smirk, Cersei is glaring at her with suspicion, Tyrion is bored, and Jaime is in shock.

Joffrey's hand finds it way back to her thigh.

"See, uncle, she wants to be here," he says brightly.

Jaime doesn't say anything; he just studies her as the rest of the table continues on with their war talk.

By the time dessert arrives Sansa can barely keep the bile down, let alone take another bite. For the second half of the last course Joffrey has been trying to inch her skirt up beneath the table. She's tried to keep her expression neutral, but Jaime keeps looking back and forth between her and Joffrey questioningly.

Finally she can't take it. Sansa places her napkin on her plate and scoots her chair away from the table.

"I'm so sorry," she apologizes. "Please excuse me, I'm not feeling well."

Without waiting for a response Sansa rushes from the room.

~Jaime~

Jaime watches Sansa dash out the door

"I should go check on her," Tyrion says, standing up.

"Wait, I'm not finished talking with you," Tywin instructs, demanding attention.

Tyrion sighs but obliges.

"Well, that was rude," Cersei scoffs, leaning over to talk to Jaime. "Northerners," she sighs.

"She and Tyrion have been ill, perhaps she has not yet recovered," Jaime offers.

Cersei waves his comment off and tries to change the subject.

"Are you coming by my chambers later?" she whispers.

"I have told you, repeatedly, I have no interest in ever being in your chambers again," he says quietly through gritted teeth.

"You can't stay mad at me forever."

Jaime ignores her and instead turns his attention to Joffrey who is slinking out of the room.

What the hell is he up to? Jaime wonders, despite having a pretty good idea.

Sansa had been wearing the same expression as Jaime throughout dinner, and he had been trying to keep Cersei's hands out of his crotch. The woman is persistent, and apparently their son had inherited that from her.

"Excuse me," he says brusquely, standing up.

Ignoring Cersei's indignant huff, he hurries from the room to follow Joffrey.

He doesn't have far to go.

Jamie hears their voices before he sees them, coming from an alcove.

"Please, just leave me be," Sansa begs.

"You ungrateful whore."

SMACK!

Sansa gasps and that's all Jaime needs to spring into action.

"What is going on here?" he demands, stepping into view.

Joffrey has Sansa pinned against the wall. She's cupping her cheek, and he's groping her breasts.

The fear in Sansa's eyes drives him forward.

Jaime grabs Joffrey by the back of his tunic and pulls him away from the girl.

"You have no right to manhandle me this way!" Joffrey screeches.

"And you have no right to attack this poor girl who, might I add, is legally your aunt!" Jaime counters.

"I am the KING! I have every right!"

"You are a lousy king if you think being a leader gives you the right to rape and molest. Run along to your chambers, your grace," Jamie sneers, "or I will teach you a lesson you won't soon forget."

Joffrey sputters, speechless, before turning on heel and marching away the direction they came.

"Are you alright?" Jaime asks, slowly stepping towards Sansa.

"Yes, thank you."

She lowers her hand and he can see that the corner of her lip is bleeding. He pulls out a handkerchief and offers it to her.

"Thank you," she repeats softly.

"Has this happened before?" Jaime asks.

She refuses to meet his eyes, which he takes for a 'yes.'

"Still say you're finding King's Landing pleasurable?"

"King's Landing is where I belong," she says in a tone that suggests this is an automatic response.

Jaime glances around, and after being sure no one is around steps in a bit closer.

"Do you want to go home?" he asks.

"This is my home."

"I mean to your mother. I gave her my word. I know they call me oathbreaker, but my word means a lot to me. Say the word and I'll get you out of here," he whispers.

He can tell she doesn't believe him, but he doesn't get a chance to reiterate the offer. He hears footsteps approaching.

It's Tyrion.

"Who pissed in Joffrey's porridge?" he asks, coming around the corner. Then, after seeing Sansa, "what happened?"

Jaime glances at the girl, who shakes her head furiously, and steps towards Tyrion.

"We need to talk."

Author's Note: Sorry about the long wait on this one! I'm in my very last semester of college now, and it is only a month long summer semester, but I have two classes with coursework that is usually completed over the span of four months, so things are a bit hectic. Throw in wrangling a 1 yr old and I'm surprised I have time to eat and sleep let alone write. Your support and reviews make it all worth it though! I'm hoping to have another chapter up before the week is out, so hang in there :)

On another note, I've gotten a few PMs asking some similar questions, or stating some similar things so I'd like to adress them here:

Will I be including the Red Wedding? That would be a big spoiler. So, let's just say I'm not ruling it out, but don't always expect me to follow the canon story line.

Your representation of the characters is out of character: I try to stay as close to character as possible, I promise, but since this story is so different from the canon story they aren't always going to be exactly how you think they should. If you feel I am being completely out there, feel free to message me and I'll walk you through my thought process on the scene. I don't mean to sound sarcastic (as often happens via internet), I honestly mean I will walk you through it. I usually have a list of reasons why they do what they do.

Sorry that was a long winded note! Let me know what you think!