I got another follower so I decided to put this chapter out a little earlier than I originally planned. A little continuation of Gendry but mostly Sansa and Sandor. Hope you enjoy.
Chapter 12
Gendry-Thursday night
Tansy was worried about the new girl at the bar so she found him and wanted him to step in. Easy enough that was his job. When the intoxicated man stepped aside he was dumbfounded. Gendry was certain he was seeing ghosts then she called him and idiot. It was undeniable the new girl was defiantly Arya Stark. All five foot two inches of her, she hadn't gotten any taller but she wasn't a little stick anymore.
The last time he had seen her she barely had a chest. Now two perfect mounds peaked above the purple lace up shirt that reminded him of a gift that needed to be unwrapped. From his height he had gotten a good look at them. Arya's face lost all traces of childhood there was no longer any baby fat. She had high cheekbones and a long angular face, and a few traces of the old freckles he remembered on her button nose. Arya's lips were still the same plump perfection and her big grey eyes sparked with anger the same way they had the first day she took over his life. She didn't recognize me. The thought hurt him more than it should have. He made his way to the back room he needed the cold outside air to help clear his head.
Harwin found him a few moments later. "Let's get these damn kids out of here so I can go home." Gendry went to work moving people out of the bar.
After the last two to be ushered out was a couple of lovers in the ladies restroom, he joined the rest of the crew out on the main floor. Gendry glanced around the room trying to spot her just to make sure she was actually real. Bella sashayed up to him and sat down next to him on the stage.
"You have a good night Gen?" Bella's hand was resting on his thigh.
"Ya it was all right." Gendry shifted his leg trying to move her hand off of him. "What's the new girl's name?" He already knew but he needed confirmation that he wasn't seeing things.
"I don't really remember it; she's kind of a bitch. You have plans for tonight? There is a party near my place we could check out." Gendry wanted to snap at Bella for insulting Arya but he held his tongue.
"No I got to work in the morning."
"That's too bad it could have been fun. I wouldn't get too attached to her I don't think she'll last very long."
"Huh?" He stopped paying to attention and continued to looking around the room.
"The new girl she has a really bad attitude, and I think she has the hots for Ned." Gendry spotted Ned at the bar laughing. He couldn't see what he was laughing at but Anguy stood across from him waving his arms around like he was telling a story. Then he spotted her, Arya came around and sat on the stool next to Ned. Her short legs dangled freely next to the singer. Ned was leaning in saying something into her ear making her laugh.
A twinge of jealousy surged through his body; he had no right to be jealous but Gendry was getting pissed. The little shit was flirting with her and she seemed to be enjoying it. That's not my Arya. Arya jumped off of the stool and gathered her stuff that was on the counter. He still hadn't managed to say a word to her. Apparently he wasn't worth a goodbye either she just left.
Ned walked straight up to him. "Hey man"
"Hey" Gendry couldn't remember why he liked the kid to begin with now he forced out the greeting.
"See you guys tomorrow, I'm out Arya and I are gonna head to her place. I've been crashing at Tom's not really the best place to hang out."
"Arya?" He had to say the name out loud. Gendry was ready to knock Ned out.
"Ya the new bartender, she's a cool chick. She said she liked my voice. I better get going before she leaves me. She's not really the kind of chick to wait around."
"See ya man." He was clenching his jaw now. Surely Arya wasn't the type of girl to take a guy home she barely knew. Gendry wondered if he knocked out some of Ned's teeth if the girls would like him so much.
"Wow what a little whore." Bella was still next to him leaning into his arm.
"Don't fucking call her that." His temper flared at the insult.
"What? She's going home with a guy she just met. Whore."
"It's no worse than one who throws herself at a guy that isn't interested." He pulled her hand off of his leg and pushed it away. Bella looked like she was about to cry.
He knew he was being an ass but he was too pissed off to care. Arya was going home with another man. He needed air and a drink and the bar was basically locked up so he left without another word to anybody.
The drive home in his jeep with the top off helped a little but the bottle of whiskey was going to have to do the rest. There was a car in his normal spot next to the motorcycle, so he had to squeeze his jeep into another spot which didn't help his mood. He was a few shots in when he heard the noises coming from upstairs. The squeaking and creaking was a steady rhythm and fueling his rage. Is everybody getting fucked tonight? He took a big swig straight out of the bottle. The room was shifting off its axis. Something upstairs was knocked over. Gendry lost control he couldn't take the noise along with the thoughts of Arya in his head.
The only thing he could fix was the damn noise. He staggered out of his apartment and upstairs pulling his weight the entire way and stopped to let the world come into focus in front of the offender's door. He pounded as hard as he could. He kept pounding until the door flew open and he stumbled into the room.
"What the fuck do…" A woman's voice cut off. When Gendry managed to stand up there was a pair of shocked grey eyes staring straight at him. They stood looking at each other for a few minutes. Ned stepped into the room drying his hair.
"Hey Gendry what are you doing here?" Ned was standing in the middle of the living area in a pair of sweatpants without a shirt.
Gendry swayed on his feet and put his hand out to steady himself. When he managed to glance around the room he noticed that Arya was wearing workout clothes and there was a gym contraption rolled into the middle of the room. His early assumption about his upstairs neighbor's activities left his mind and relief flooded his body only to be replaced by embarrassment.
"To much noise I've got to work early." Was the only thing he managed to get out before the room swayed and he started to fall.
Arya caught the brunt of his weight and staggered under him. He could feel her body pressed against his. "I'm sure drinking a bottle of whiskey helped too you idiot." Gendry smiled at the old insult. "Of course you would be the fucking jackass downstairs. Only one person in the world is that annoying. I'm done so you can get off of me and leave now." She shoved him up until he was standing again.
In his current state he couldn't come up with a comeback he just mumbled and staggered back out of the door. "I'm going to help him downstairs Ned. I'd hate for the idiot to fall and break his neck."
"You need any help? He's not a little guy." Ned was spreading a blanket out on the couch.
"No I got it." Arya stepped up next to him and threw his arm around her shoulder. Gendry was a little startled and staggered before she pulled him upright. They worked their way downstairs slowly. He stumbled a few times but Arya managed to pull him upright. His door was wide open when they reached his landing. "Fucking idiot" Arya mumbled as she shuffled him towards the bedroom.
"Sorry I'm not your precious Ned princess." He slurred out.
"What are you talking about?" Arya had scowl on her face when she looked up at him.
"I'm sorry all men aren't good enough for you." Arya shoved him and he landed back on the bed and his head smacked the headboard. Gendry drank more than he had in a long time and his thoughts and words were muddy.
"Fuck you Gendry"
"So you do know who I am. I didn't even rate a fucking goodbye again!" He had raised his voice to a shout and was leaning forward on the bed.
"Why would you? I never did for you!" Arya's tone cut through him like a knife. He was the one to leave her the last time they were together.
"Arya wait" He was trying to get up but she was already out of his room by the front door. She slammed it on her way out the clock on the wall fell off and shattered. He slumped back onto the bed and listened to her steps above him. There were a few mumbles and another door slammed. Gendry had managed to piss off two women tonight. One he could care less about and the other meant more to him than he cared to admit.
Sandor- Thursday afternoon
He knew that Sansa was mad at him when he dropped her off. Sansa sent him a text to pick her up from work he had a feeling she was still angry. Part of him wanted to apologize the part that she had changed in him, but he was still a Clegane and that part wouldn't let him. Sandor was waiting outside of her building 5 minutes before she would be out as always. When she slid into the back of the car he was a little taken aback when she cheerfully replied. "Hi Sandor"
"Hello little bird" He bit out remembering the false chirping she used to throw at Joffrey.
"Can we stop by and grab a bite to eat. I'm starving." He was already tired of her fake cheer. Sansa had cussed him earlier in the day. He knew she was furious but she wouldn't show it.
"Where do you want to go."
"The sandwich shop on the way home will be fine." Sansa was messing with her bracelet looking out the window.
"Any plans for later?" He glanced back but she still wouldn't look at him.
"Yes but you don't have to worry I'll be picked up." Sandor looked back at her as the car was stopped at a light.
"Where are you going?" Sansa still avoided his gaze.
"On a date" His hands tightened on the steering wheel. The woman in the back went quiet again she was obviously still mad at him and trying not to show it.
"With who?"
"Why does it matter?" She huffed out at him.
"I'm in charge of your…"
"Safety, yes I know. That doesn't mean you're in control of my life! Never mind the food just take me home." He was almost relieved that she was showing her emotion again even if it was directed at him.
"Sansa" he growled out annoyed.
"Take me home!" her pretty face was flushed red and her eyes were shining and a tear slipped down her face. He was about to make her cry. He kept quiet as he drove her home. Sandor never wanted to see her cry again so he kept his gaze on the road and nothing else.
When they arrived at the building he turned around to speak and was greeted by the slam of the back door and she ran into her building her red hair was blowing behind her as she disappeared through the door. The doorman looked startled when she ran past him. He was a little proud of how forceful she was with him. When did she get so strong?
He switched cars at the garage. The boy's center was in a bad part of the city he had to switch from the BMW to his old mustang. It was still a target but most knew who drove it so they left it alone. There was a crowd outside of the center around a van that had black goat with bloody horns painted on the side. The activity inside the building was chaotic as well. Three of the boys he was training came up to him.
One of the younger boys had a black eye and looked dejected. "What's going on?" He demanded.
"Tryouts, it's a local MMA circuit. They want fresh meat." The tank that stood around his size answered. "They wanted me to fight." The kid Aaron, sighed quietly.
"You want to?" Sandor had developed a soft spot for the kid but nobody could tell.
"Yes, you said I wasn't ready. I told them that." Aaron was a great fighter he could probably beat most he fought already. He told the kid he wasn't ready to keep him from doing something stupid.
"You want to get your fuckin ass kicked go ahead. When is the fight?"
"Next Wednesday"
"You work hard you could be fight ready by then." Aaron eyes lit up.
"You think so, but I already told them no."
"I said it didn't I." He cursed to himself he didn't want to get involved with these kids, but he did because Sansa had told him he needed to get a hobby. It was a jest but when her words wouldn't leave his head he drove around until he ran into this place. The boys were scattered all around a few of them trying and failing horribly to fight each other. He had been back every day since then. "Who's in charge?" The boys pointed to a man with a clipboard.
He shoved his way through the crowd and positioned himself directly in the man's way. "You the man in charge of fights?" The growl in his voice made everybody step back and look in his direction never directly at him.
"I am" The tall gaunt man lisped out at him. "Vargo Hoat"
"Got a boy that needs a fight." He nodded towards Aaron standing off to the side.
"He said he wasn't ready." Hoat went back to his clipboard.
"He will be, give him a match." His growl made people step back. Hoat noticed.
"Don't give me orders. Who the fuck do you think you are?"
"Sandor Clegane" The indirect stares grew worse. The Clegane name was well known thanks mostly to his psychotic brother.
"Ah the burnt Clegane, I'll give the boy a fight on one condition." Sandor waited on the condition that he already knew.
"You headline the fight. It'll be you against Urswyck."
"No"
"Then the boy don't fight. Gonna be lots of talent scouts there it's too bad. I'm guessing that the boy would be decent from the looks of him. Could make a pretty penny too." Sandor knew what he was doing but Aaron needed to make something happen.
"One fight"
"You have a deal." Sandor turned and walked away the crowd that gathered quickly scattered around him.
"Boys got 1st match in his weight class he better be ready." Hoat spit out after him.
He walked by Aaron on his way out. "You got work to do. First fight Wednesday." He walked out without another word to anybody. He had work to do as well. He was physically in fight form but not in the right state of mind. To get there he had to get a red head off his mind.
Sansa-Thursday afternoon
Sansa was a little ashamed at her outburst towards Sandor. He had made her so mad she couldn't control her temper when he had dropped her off for work after she left Arya. Her sister would have been so proud of her. The computer screen in front of her hadn't changed much in the past hour and the way her mind was racing it wasn't going to change much the rest of the day.
She kept thinking about the way Sandor had talked to her and the more she thought about it the angrier she got. Sansa wanted to come up with something that would make him as angry as she was but she had no idea what could do that.
"Margery" she had and idea.
"Yes" Margery was coordinating the colors of and upcoming layout. Sansa hesitated she wasn't sure she could actually ask. "What is it Sansa." Her friend looked up from her work.
She took a deep breath. "Can I get Willas' phone number?"
Margery snapped her head up her eye brows were up and her jaw was dropped a touch in surprise. "Why" Of course her friend wouldn't make it easy on her.
"I was…I wanted to see if he would like to do something tonight." A coy smile crept across Margery's face. "You have the hots for my brother now? To think you were actually mad at me."
"Oh never mind" She wasn't in the mood to deal with teasing.
"Here" She wrote the number down and handed it to her. "I happen to know that he didn't have plans for tonight this morning. I wanted to go to that new club Oscar but he wouldn't go. I'm guessing you wouldn't want to go if you have plans"
"Thank you" Margery kept looking over at her and smiling like it was her greatest accomplishment. "I might if he says no."
"If my brother says no then he isn't as smart as everybody thinks he is." Sansa smiled most people had the wrong idea about Margery. She could be a witch when it came to work but with her friends she always knew what to say or do. Even when she didn't know there was a problem. "What are you going to ask him to do?"
"I don't know yet. I'm trying not to think about it much or I'll talk myself out of asking him. You are not going to say anything to him are you?"
"No I won't I promise."
"Good, do you have any ideas on what we should do?"
"He likes museums there's that art exhibit in town, the botanical gardens are still open, and there is always dinner and a movie."
"Those all sound so lovely."
"What are you going to wear?" Sansa laughed at the cliche question.
"I have no idea I'm kind of just winging this here." Margery laughed at her.
"I've noticed maybe spending time with Arya isn't a great idea. I think she's brainwashing you. Next you are going to be riding on the back of a Harley wearing a bandana." She laughed with her friend again but her mind drifted to what Sandor had said about motorcycles.
"I doubt that will ever happen."
They both settled back into their work or at least Margery did. Sansa continued to move things around on her screen until the clock read it was time to go home. For the first time since she met him Sansa didn't want to see Sandor. She didn't want him to know that he had ruined her day. So she decided to play nice. That had backfired too he had made it worse and she was full on crying by the time she reached her apartment.
She had lied to him about the date she had but she was planning on getting one. The idea of asking a guy out terrified her. She had never had to ask a man out before they always came to her. What if he says no? Arya's words had hit home 'Don't let him win'. Sandor's behavior had pushed her into action. He would never take her seriously so she needed to find a man that would. She had to take the next step for herself.
The art exhibit was only in town for a short time. That was the one he was most likely to say yes to and she didn't want to make him walk around the gardens. She punched his number into her phone and stared at it before setting it down. She went to the fridge for a snack then paced the floor. To make herself more comfortable with her plan she bought two tickets to the exhibit. At least I won't be lying.
The number was still on her phone when she picked it up again. "You're being ridiculous. Just do it." Sansa said aloud to herself. She pushed send her stomach twisted in knots while the phone rang on the other end. She jumped a little when someone answered.
"Hello"
"Willas"
"Yes" he sounded a little confused.
"It's Sansa"
"Hello Sansa, I didn't recognize the number." She realized she called him on her home phone not her cell phone.
"I got your number from Margery I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all I'm more than happy to hear from you." Her heart fluttered.
"I have two tickets tonight to the Blackwater exhibit." She was amazed at how even her voice sounded. "I was wondering if you would like to go with me. I know that it's last minute but these tickets just showed up." She half lied. "I understand if you have other plans."
"I would love to go." She was thankful he interrupted her nervous chatter. "I've actually been meaning to go. I didn't know you liked art."
"I don't well I haven't before but I heard that it was a good showcase and I was curious."
"Would you like me to pick you up?"
"If it's not too much trouble."
"It's no trouble at all." She could hear Margery in the background but couldn't make out what she was saying. "Margery wanted me to tell you that I'll be wearing grey slacks with a blue shirt… I'm sorry a navy shirt. She already has it placed out for me." Sansa could hear the humor in his voice.
"Tell her thank you for me." Of course her friend would want them to match.
"I'll pick you up at six. We probably should grab a bite to eat before the show."
"That sounds wonderful. See you at six. Do you know where I live?"
"Margery just wrote it down for me." She giggled at the picture of her friend hovering around him. "Good bye Sansa. I will see you in a little while."
"Bye"
When she hung up she took a huge breath and exhaled. Now the easy part she just had to get ready. Sansa was exited now for her first date that she had had in who knows how long.
She had plenty of blue dresses but the one she chose was white with tiny blue flowers patterned around it. It was a simple strapless dress that flowed out at the waist and stopped just above the knee. A matching blue wrap and red heels and matching red clutch completed the look. Her red hair curled freely around her shoulders. She was ready after masterfully applying makeup and she was early.
There was a pounding on her door. He is early too! She swung open the door to see Sandor blocking out the light. "What are you doing here?"
Sandor-Thursday night
He couldn't help but stare at the vision before him. Sansa was breathtaking in white. The red hair he loved tumbled freely around her bare shoulders. She had left all of her hair down and her lips were a brighter shade of red than she normally wore and her beautiful blue eyes were even brighter in full makeup. He forgot why he came for a moment. "What are you doing here?" She repeated still blocking his way inside.
"Where are you going?"
"I told you I had a date." He remembered she had told him but he knew she was lying. Sansa always looked down and fidgeted when she lied, she wasn't lying now. He could see the anger in her eyes when she looked at her. "Are you going to tell me why you are here?"
"I'm taking a week off. Jory will be picking you up and dropping you off." Sansa turned away from him. He couldn't look away from her as he followed her inside.
"When" He couldn't read her when she faced away from him but he thought he heard disappointment in her voice.
"Starting tomorrow"
"Fine, is that all my date will be here any moment and I don't need you scaring him off." Sansa was still mad at him. He held his tongue that was exactly what he wanted.
"Who and Where?" Sansa was about to protest but for some reason changed her mind.
"Willas Tyrell and we're going to the Blackwater exhibit." There was a knock on the door and Sandor yanked it open startling the man on the other side. "Ready to go Willas, Sandor just had some details about work to inform me of."
"Yes I am, you look amazing Sansa." Sandor wondered how mad she would get if he shattered his other leg. He hated Willas Tyrell and his handsome face and lean body. Willas looked to be the perfect gentleman for Sansa and he hated everything about the guy. That was the kind of man she wanted. Not an angry ugly brute that didn't know the right words to say.
"See you in a week." His voice was low and dangerous as he pushed past Willas on his way out.
"Sandor!" Sansa squeaked from somewhere behind him. He ignored her if he stayed any longer he may actually hurt the kid. The plan was to completely quit tonight to make a clean break but after seeing her looking like she did he couldn't push the words past his lips. To cut her out of his life would be like losing a limb. A week would give him time to clear his mind and focus on his match. He could beat the shit out of whoever the guy was and then go back to his cage. He laughed at that now he was the one that was trapped.
The training area he had leased was closer to his apartment than the center was located and Aaron was staying at a hotel near by so they could train everyday starting tomorrow. Tonight he was drinking. The pool hall around the block from his place would have to work. Driving home wasn't going to happen with the mood he was in.
He ordered a glass of bourbon and finished it quickly; he followed that with three more. His fifth was half gone when his brother walked through the front door. He wanted to jump up and finish what they started on the stairway days ago. Jamie Lannister followed Gregor through the door. He could start something with his brother but the Lannister with him would find a way to stop it; they always had before. He grunted and threw back the rest of his drink. It must have caught his brother's attention because he came straight over to him.
"Little brother! Twice in one week. Did you miss me?" Jamie stepped beside Gregor.
"Sandor It has been quite awhile." Jamie smiled his jeering smile.
"What the fuck happened to your hand." Jamie had a bandage around his right hand. The alcohol was beginning to take hold of him.
"I'm afraid I've been shot a message to my loving father no doubt." Gregor was standing directly across the table from him. He noticed dry blood on the cuff on his brother's sleeves and a few splashes on his jeans.
"You ready to finish our conversation little brother."
"The conversation before or after the little girl kicked your ass?" Gregor stepped towards him leaning across the table.
"Tywin still wants to see you Gregor. You can do this later." Gregor grunted and rumbled away from the table to order a drink from the bar. Jamie was still standing there.
"Don't push him Sandor not now. He's close to crossing a line with my father." He knew exactly how the Lannisters operated. As long as you were useful they gave you your space and protected that asset. When you stepped over some imaginary line a bullet would find it's way into your skull.
"I kill my brother nobody else."
"I'll tell father that." Jamie left with quick turn and escorted Gregor out. He knew that Tywin was growing tired of Gregor's antics but there didn't seem to be a limit for his cruel brother. He wondered what he could have possibly done to go too far.
It couldn't have been the incident with the girl that was pretty mild for Gregor. He was looking forward to the day Tywin called and gave him the go ahead to end his brother it was why he signed on with the Lannisters to begin with. Putting a bullet in Gregor Clegane would be the last thing he ever did to help the Lannisters but it would be for them. His big brother was his to take out. Sandor grabbed another drink.
