"I don't understand why you would agree to go!" Ayra yelled pacing about the barn.

"Would you calm down? What would you have me do? I tried to make an excuse, Petyr won't let me!"

"So now you get to put on a pretty dress and attend a pretty party, I'm sure you're devastated."

Sansa was stung by her words. She and Arya had not fought like this in over a year, not since they had come to the island.

"Believe whatever you want Arya, but everything I do I do for this family and for our survival."

Arya stared at her for a long hard moment before she spoke. Her words were cold and cut Sansa to her core. "That sounds just like the things Petyr says." With that she turned and left Sansa standing alone in the barn.

XXXXXX

Sansa had borrowed a dress from Lysa. It was green with thick straps, a fitted bodice to the waist and then it flared out, the skirt falling to mid-calf. It was simple but beautiful and she paired it with a cream colored shawl. Arya had glared at her as she had fixed her hair.

Lysa told her she looked beautiful and she kissed Lysa on the cheek before she left the house. Petyr was driving her and they stopped to pick up Jeyne on the way. Jenye was dressed in sapphire blue and seemed thrilled to be going to the party. Petyr called them a pair of precious gems. Jeyne giggled and Sansa forced herself to smile.

They arrived to the Umber estate and Petyr escorted them in and presented them to the command council. Jeyne curtsied promptly, Sansa felt frozen as Major Bolton stared at her. There was something about him that consistently unnerved her. She heard Jeyne hiss her name under her breath, breaking the trace and she also curtsied. Petyr turned them loose after that, staying behind to chat with the Germans.

The girls made their way inside and found their way to the refreshments. "How does this compare to a London party?" Jeyne asked as they sipped champagne.

Sansa looked around. She supposed it was just as nice and told Jeyne as such. She didn't add that the biggest difference was her desire to actually be there.

"See I told you it wouldn't be so bad. Isn't it nice to be out? Dressed up, sipping cocktails and having boys look at you?" Jeyne smiled and waved at a group of soldiers across the dance floor.

"Sure," Sansa agreed with little enthusiasm.

A slow waltz began to play and a soldier walked over and asked Jeyne to dance. She agreed and followed him out on the dance floor, casting a beaming smile at Sansa as she went. Sansa closed her eyes shook her head to clear it. When she opened them she found Major Bolton beside her, studying her again, she felt his were eyes stripping away her dress and anything else that might shield her. "Do you know the waltz?" he asked.

She nodded, unable to find her voice under his gaze. "Then you will dance with me." It was not a request. He took her hand and led her out on the dance floor. She notice Petyr watching them, a look of satisfaction playing across his face.

"I'm told your family is still in London."

Sansa blinked at him, she didn't like that he had been discussing her and her family. He looked at her, his eyes growing colder as she failed to respond.

"Last I knew, but that was nearly a year ago," she responded finally finding her voice.

"Ah yes, you are a bit isolated here."

She didn't respond, his words felt like a trap.

"You know London has been heavily bombed, many died, continue to die," he continued. She knew he was trying to rattle her, to what end she was not sure, but it seemed he clearly wanted to upset her. She bit the inside of her cheek and watched Jeyne over his shoulder. Jeyne gave her a head tilt and a bright smile.

"Do you think they are dead or just forgot about you?"

Her attention snapped back to him. "They would never forget about me," she said quickly.

"No, I suppose not, you are far too pretty to be forgotten, to go unnoticed." There was a warning in his words and it caused her to misstep.

"It's been awhile since I've danced," she offered in a way of explanation. She noticed a look of satisfaction in his eyes and looked away. He knew he was getting to her.

The dance ended and she curtsied in thanks. "I'll expect another dance soon," he informed her and then walked away. She looked up to see Petyr nearby, he beckoned to her. She sighed and approached him.

"The major seems interested in you."

"It was just a dance."

"He's asked quite a bit about you."

"And it appears you were happy to supply him with information. What have you told him?"

Petyr's mouth set in a tight line, he seemed annoyed with her but worked to hide it. "Only good things. If you gain his favor it could be good for all of us."

"All of us?"

"Yes, everyone. If he is pleased with the island, with his time here, it's better for everyone."

A dark look passed over Sansa's face and Petyr took notice. "What is it?"

"I refuse to be whored out to improve your social standing with the Nazis. There is nothing we need that bad, no I won't play along."

"We may need something in the future, it's better to plan ahead, to be prepared. I would think about this carefully."

"I won't do anything to offend him but I have no intention to charm him, and it's unfair of you to ask me to. My brother…"

They ceased their argument as Jeyne joined them. "Are you having fun?" Petyr asked her.

"Yes sir, thank you. It's wonderful to dance and laugh so much."

"I'm glad you are enjoying it so. I wish everyone was so open to opportunity," Petyr said eyeing Sansa.

Another waltz began to play and Jeyne excused herself back to the dance floor. Petyr gave Sansa a warning look, "I would keep talk of your brother as quiet as possible if I were you." He finished just as Major Bolton stepped to them.

"Ms Stark, I promised you I would return." He held out his hand to her. Sansa gave Petyr a pointed look before taking Ramsay's hand and joining him on the dance floor.

They started the danced in silence but she could feel a certain dark energy pulsing through the major. "So tell me about your family here on the island."

She was surprised her had asked her this, she figured Petyr would have filled him in on anything he wanted to know, especially about their family here. "Well my younger sister and I are staying with my Aunt Lysa and her son Robin. She has a small farm north of town. It's been in my mother's family for generations."

"And?" he asked expectantly.

She pulled back a bit so she could see his face. He had a glimmer in his eyes, the faintest ghost of a smirk playing over his lips.

"And it's very pleasant. We have only a few chickens and a couple cows now, but I like the work."

"Do you know longer claim your uncle then?"

Sansa froze a bit causing them to misstep. Ramsay's eyes seem to brighten with her discomfort. He waited for her to respond.

"You asked about my family on the island, Brynden is no longer on the island. But you knew that already." She tried to keep her tone calm and even.

"I did. It is my duty to know things after all. Just like I know your sister was living with him until right before he was arrested."

"That's not completely accurate, but she did stay with him some days yes, on the days she had school or if she was working for the butcher. His son was murdered by your soldiers last Christmas, but I'm sure you knew that as well."

His eyes darkened. Sansa took a deep breath, she realized she may have been too bold. She did not truly know his temperament, she cursed at herself silently.

"Does being a traitor run in your family? Should I be concerned about you, your sister?"

Sansa scoffed, "My sister is just a child. She's no threat to anyone. Neither am I." She led herself into a twirl so he would not be able to see how bad she was shaking.

"If you love your sister you should warn her to be careful of the company she keeps," he warned. She took in his expression, his jaw was set, his eyes harsh.

"Of course I love my sister. She's my closest family," she said quietly. "But I swear no one knew what my uncle was doing, we try to keep to ourselves out on the farm as much as possible."

"Family, love, loyalty, those can all be dangerous things during war," he mused, "I'd hate to see anything happen to such a pretty girl or her family due to a misunderstanding or bad information. It would be such a waste."

The dance ended then and he bowed to her and left her standing on the dance floor. She watched after him and tried to still her shaking knees.

XXXXXXX

Petyr dropped her off to the farm after the party. They had rode in silence for most of the drive, Sansa feigned being exhausted as the reason. She wished him goodnight and entered the house and made her way to the attic.

Ayra was still awake, sitting in the reading corner paging through a magazine. "Did you enjoy yourself?" she asked snidely, she didn't even bother to look up.

"Not for a moment."

Arya looked up then and took in Sansa's expression. "Are you alright? Did something happen?"

"Nothing happened per say….. Petyr says the new commander has an interest in me… He's terrible Arya. There's something menacing about him."

"Did he hurt you?"

"No, not exactly. But he seemed like he was playing a game, testing me. He basically told me that our family was likely dead in London and then hinted that we are being watched because of Uncle Brynden. He asked about you."

Arya seemed frozen, her expression unsettled Sansa even more.

"Arya?"

"What an arse, him and Petyr both," she stated, her expression now cleared.

"I think we just need to be careful. I think we knew uncle's arrest put attention on us, but this just confirms it. How was Lysa?"

"Fine, weepy as always. I wish she would pull it together."

"I know."

They stood in silence each regarding the other. Sansa waited to see if Arya would confess anything further, she could see something churning behind her eyes, but then she seemed to think better of it and stood from the chair, "I'm going to turn in."

"Ok, goodnight then," Sansa said in return and then thought better of it. "Arya?"

"Hmm?"

"Do we have any reason to worry?"

"About me? No sweet sister, don't worry about me. I'm sure he was just playing at you, testing you. We'll be just fine."

Sansa regarded her for a moment longer, she didn't truly believe her. With a heavy sigh she turned to get ready for bed.

xxxxxx

It was now late May, the days were getting longer and warmer. Lysa's mood finally seemed to break. She was up and around now, helping with the farm again and not clinging to Robin at every moment. Their cousin seemed thrilled to be able to play outside again and not be tied to his mother's side.

Small acts of resistance had begun to plague the town again, vehicle sabotage, leaflets, defacing of Nazi posters. Petyr had told them over dinner last week that it was pointless vandalism, the major was ignoring it and it was doing little to deter their efforts to fortify the island; he wished the resisters realized that they were essentially just an annoying fly. Though he added that flies eventually get themselves crushed when they refuse to fly away. Sansa had watched Arya for a reaction to his words but she had remained blasé towards his words.

Sansa found herself in town on a quiet weekday. She stopped in to see Jeyne. Last week Sansa had been upset when Jeyne had confided in her that she had secretly begun seeing the soldier who she danced with at the party. Sansa could barely remember his name. He seemed nice enough, but he was still a Nazi, and despite their friendship she would never be able to understand how Jeyne could overlook such a thing, but she was doing her best not to let it ruin their friendship.

There was a new influx of prisoners today and the streets near the wharf were crowded as they were herded around by the German soldiers. Many of the towns' people lined the streets as well, watching in curiosity and horror. Sansa felt sad seeing them in such a state. Many of them looked skinny and sick. People talked about trying to help them with food but rations on the island seemed to be cut every time there was a new influx, so most weren't in a position to help. It was truly a cruel tragedy.

"Do you see any you like?" she heard Major Bolton behind her.

"I beg your pardon."

"Petyr suggested we start lending some of them out to the farms, maybe they could help with planting and harvesting."

"It's too late in the year for much planting I'm afraid."

"Is that so? For a refined London lady you seem to know a lot about farm life."

"My mother says it's in our blood."

"Ah, well that we can agree on. What is in one's blood it the most important thing, you can't fight nature."

Despite the warmth of the day Sansa felt cold standing near him having this conversation. "I should be getting home," she told him.

"So soon? I've hardly seen you since my reception."

"The farm keeps me rather busy this time of year."

"Yes, the safety of the farm. It's interesting to me that your sister does not wish to stay there as much as you. I still see her around town quite a bit, even with school being out. What could she possibly be up to?"

Sansa hated his interest in Arya, it completely alarmed her. "She's a child, what child wants to stay home and do chores? Also her work with Mycah's parents keeps her busy here in town."

"Yes, the dead boy, the one you like to remind me of."

"I didn't….."

"Perhaps you have been avoiding me?" he interrupted. "Baelish tells me I might have upset you a bit at the dance. As such I have a gift for you." He said it with no sincerity, he either didn't believe a word of it or didn't actually care if he'd upset her.

"Did he? He shouldn't have bothered you with such ridiculous nonsense. Everything was lovely."

"So he lied to me?" There was an undertone in his voice that made Sansa's breath catch, this conversation was becoming extremely dangerous.

"No, it wasn't a lie, I just meant that he should not have troubled you with the simple emotions of a silly girl. You are far too important for that."

"So then I did upset you?"

Sansa stilled her mind, she had to play along or risk a vengeance on Petyr that would only trickle down to her or her family. She prayed they would forgive her for her next words.

"I only mentioned that I did not like discussing my traitor of an uncle; that I didn't like to be reminded of the failings of my family."

"Ah, well you have my apologies of course. I'd also like you to have this." He snapped his fingers and barked an order in German. One of his officers fetched something from the trunk of the Major's car and came forward handing her a large basket; it was filled with assorted foods and beverages, some of which she hadn't seen in months. She could feel the eyes of everyone on her. He was making quite a show of this, for whose benefit she was not sure.

"I couldn't possibly take this. Nothing you said offended me so that you need be so kind."

"Well you cannot refuse it, but it's yours to do with as you please. Again I'm sorry if I upset you."

She suddenly had an idea. She prayed it would not offend him but he had said she could do as she pleased with it, and the last thing she wanted was people in town to think she had curried his favor. It was already bad enough the way people whispered about her family's ties to either treason or Petyr, depending which side they were on, she refused to add to their ill feelings now.

"Well think nothing of it, all is forgotten. Thank you for your kindness."

He waved her off. "I have business to attend to, these prisoners need to be processed by the end of the day. Lovely to see you as always Ms Stark." With that he stalked off, shouting at a couple of soldiers closer to the dock. Sansa turned and approached some of the people on the sidewalks and offered them some of the supplies in the basket. Some of them refused but some took them regardless of their suspicions. Ramsay turned and watched her and shook his head with the most incredulous look on his face but he did nothing to stop her.

By the time she made it to the end of the block she had emptied the basket of everything but the bottle of champagne. She placed it in her bike basket and even though she could feel his eyes on her, she rode off without looking back.

XXXXXX

She found Arya in the barn cleaning out the root cellar. "What are you doing?" Sansa asked standing on the edge of the ladder and looking down at her sister.

"Preparing for the fall harvest. I thought it might be a good idea to have a better storage system then last winter when so much stuff went bad."

Sansa looked around, she could see Lysa over in the garden on the opposite side of the house and Robin in the yard playing near her.

"I'm coming down, I need to ask you something and I need you not to lie to me Arya." Sansa climbed down the ladder and stood in the cellar with Arya. Arya looked at her and waited. "Are you working with the resistance in town?"

Arya met Sansa's gaze and held it. "No," she finally answered.

"Do you know who is in it?"

"No, Brynden left me out of it. I knew there was something going on, there were too many people coming and going from the house, a room he won't let me in, but that's it. He refused to let me in."

Sansa watched her for a few more moments and then finally let her eyes break from Arya. "Well you need to be careful. Every time I see Major Bolton he seems to imply that you are involved with things that you shouldn't be. I think maybe you should stay out of town for a bit. Can you do that?"

Arya's face became angry. "This is complete rubbish."

"I agreed, but that doesn't negate the danger of the situation."

"Ok, I'll stay out of town, but just for a bit. After tomorrow though, I need to at least go tell Mycah's parents I won't be able to come around for a while."

"Ok, that's fair, but be careful. It's clearly not safe for you there."

"I'm always careful Sansa, trust me."