I hate work. This chapter is Arya/Gendry next is Sansa/Sandor. I own Andy and the story is mine but the rest of the characters are all GRRM.

Chapter 21

Arya- Monday

Gendry had picked her up and moved her to his bedroom after she had fallen asleep last night. To her surprise he was actually sleeping in bed next to her. Last night had been so much fun but once again Gendry had stopped everything just when she needed more. She had to figure out how to push him over the edge so he wouldn't stop them from going over.

Gendry lay sleeping with his back facing her; she wasn't sure what time it was but there was a faint glow breaking through the window. Her eyes were tracing the outline of Gendry's back; she watched silently as the little lines and dimples slowly flexed and contracted with each breath. His body truly was a work of art. "What are you doing?" A muffled voice came from over his shoulder breaking her out of her trance.

"I wasn't doing anything." She answered indignantly.

"I know you stopped moving." She could hear the humor in his voice so she pushed his shoulder making him roll over and throw his arm around her. She snuggled in closer loving the feel of his warm body.

"What time do you have to be at work?"

"8:00"

"Oh" She kissed his chest hoping it would start something.

"Arry, get some sleep." Gendry ordered.

"No" She hated when he tried to boss her around. Gendry opened his eyes to look at her.

"What are you up too?" Of course he was going to put up a fight; he wouldn't be Gendry if he didn't challenge her. She tried to shove him again but he didn't budge. "Arry" Gendry gave his best impression of her dad's disapproving tone. This time when she moved to straddle him she pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it. She still had on her black bra and shorts from the night before. Gendry's eyes rested on her chest. For a moment she felt a little insecure but after watching his face the feeling disappeared.

When Gendry started to speak she cut him off by kissing him hard on the lips. She didn't want to hear they needed to take things slow. No matter what happened between the two of them in the future; she knew that Gendry was going to be her first and he would just have to deal with it. Gendry rested his hands around her waist and easily lifted her off of him. "You are going to drive me crazy Arry."

She huffed angrily and crawled off the bed. "I wouldn't if you weren't being so damn stubborn." She pulled on some sweats that were way too big for her and started searching the room for the shirt she had thrown. Gendry was watching her as she tossed clothes around his room.

"Arry we have plenty of time. I want to do this right." It drove her crazy when he said things like that how was what she wanted the wrong thing?

"I have waited Gendry." She almost yelled. "I'm tired of it. If you won't sleep with me then maybe I'll find somebody that will." Her mouth had got the better of her as she said the first thing that popped into her head. Gendry reached down and grabbed her wrist.

"Don't say that." Gendry's voice was low and slow.

"Let go of me." She tried to jerk away form him but he was too strong.

"Arry please don't ever say that again." She stopped struggling when she saw to look on his face. He looked hurt.

"Fine" Gendry was sitting on the edge of the bed and he pulled her to him where she was standing between his legs. He pressed a desperate kiss to her lips. She wound her free hand in his thick black hair. She felt his arm wrap around her waist and before she knew what happened she was underneath him on the bed; his skin was hot against her bare stomach. The permanent stubble on his chin tickled its way down her neck as his lips worked their way down. The hand on her hip slowly work its way up her ribs and to the strap of her bra. She ran her hand down his back making him stop.

"No… You don't get to touch me." Gendry placed both of her hands on the bed. "Stay" She was about to argue not liking the way he was ordering her around but she could feel his warm breath on her nipple through her bra, so she listened to him. She wanted the fabric gone but when she tried to remove it Gendry just pushed her back on the bed. Normally she liked to be in control of everything but he was really turning her on. Gendry was kissing and nibbling every inch of her skin when she felt his tongue circle her nipple through the fabric she arched her back off of the bed. Gendry quickly removed the sweats and meticulously worked his calloused hands up her thigh. She bucked forward when his thumb circled her nub.

Gendry continued his exploration of her body and every time she tried to put her hands on him he would stop. The pressure in her lower stomach was building. "More" The plea slipped from her lips. A finger slipped into her and she gasped. Gendry's mouth never left her body as his pace of his finger increased and her hips met every stroke. A tremor rocked through her when he added another finger. She wanted to pull him closer to her but was afraid he would stop, so she clung to the bed and whimpered as his thumb circled her nub to the pace he had set. His lips covered hers as her body started to shake; Gendry moaned into her mouth when she clenched around him before she came undone.

She was speechless, breathless and numb when he stood up. She could see his cock pressed firmly against his sleeping pants and she bit her lip and tired to sit up but she was still a little… amazing from a few moments ago. The sheets were scrunched up where she had to cling to the bed. "What about that?" She managed to say allowing her eyes to fall on his waist. She didn't recognize her voice.

"Go to class. I'll take care of it. If you get anywhere near here I won't be able to control myself." She licked her lips just thinking about that part of him. She wanted to make him feel the way she did. "Arry go" Gendry smiled as he ordered her around again. She was to content to argue and Gendry had the stubborn set to his jaw. She slowly got to her feet waiting for her knees to steady; her clothes were easier to find this time.

The first class of the day was photography and she didn't have to listen too closely so she let her mind drift to earlier in the day. Math was unbearable she almost wished she would have done that class her freshman year, but it was the last of her basic so she had to complete the course. She had a small break between a few of her other classes and after lunch she found herself waiting for her favorite journalism class.

The professor mentioned before the break that a guest teacher a Mr. Jaqen H'ghar. Mr. H'ghar was an investigative journalist. She was excited for the opportunity to learn from somebody that was doing exactly what she wanted to do. Most of the journalism courses were broad topics centered on news anchors, TV reporting, and a few for news papers.

When she graduated high school she wanted to join the police force like her brother did, but Jon threw a fit and told her to go to college first. If she still wanted to join after she graduated she was on her own telling Dad. During her freshman year she attended a course that changed her mind. As an investigative journalist she could basically be a detective without the restrictions. Cops had to follow to many rules and laws, so she altered her career path. She sat in the back of the class like she always did and waited.

The normal professor was sitting at his desk reading papers ignoring everything around him. There were two blond girls in the front row talking about boys. She liked to call them the Barbie twins all flash no heart. The guys in the corner looked like they were up all night playing video games. There was another guy sleeping in the seat in front of her that reeked of weed. She had always liked to people watch, you could tell a lot about people when they weren't trying to hide from you.

A tall lean man with shoulder length red hair walked into the room and set his bag down next to the desk. When he turned to the side she could see one white streak clashing against the red. The room was silent as they all stared at the teacher.

"Jaqen" The guy pointed to himself. "Not that it matters. Names are worthless." There was an accent when he spoke but it wasn't one she could place. "I'm here to try and teach you to investigate."

"Like a detective?" One of the Barbie twins questioned from the front; she rolled her eyes.

"That is what they do." Jaqen answered her without another glance at the girl. "If a student seems to have a talent for this line of work, then they will have an opportunity to join me on assignment overseas. That is only if there is a girl." Jaqen looked right at her. "Or boy with the talent I'm looking for. One must be able to blend in and still get the information one needs. A pretty face is remembered same as an ugly one. One must be able to work with an enemy to achieve a goal and sometimes one has to completely lose oneself in the work. Forget who and where one comes from to become someone else. Basically one needs to be a no one."

Jaqen then went around the room asking people who they were. Most of the class answered with their name some didn't answer at all when he reached her she said the first thing that popped into her head. "No one"

Jaqen smirked. "A girl is paying attention." He then clapped his hands forgetting about the rest of the class. "For your assignments you will pick a topic to investigate I don't care what it is just something you have to solve. There will also be a group project to see how well you work with others. We will meet for 20 minutes everyday you have class here and then you are free to leave to investigate. I don't know how long I will stay so keep your work current. You have been grouped already your names are on this paper."

Jaqen answered a phone call and set the paper down on the desk before he left the room. The class sat and waited but for some reason she knew he wasn't coming back so she stood up and grabbed the paper. Shit! She was paired with the Barbie twins and one other girl. The rest of the class slowly came up and started to group themselves. The room was loud so she led her group to the quiet cafeteria.

They talked a little bit about what they were going to investigate and settled on the assassination of JFK. "Why should we have to investigate? This face was made for reporting news. People like you are the ones that should have to do the dirty work. I just want to be on TV." She ignored the blond and wrote down a few ideas for her project. The other girl in the group was doing the same. She let the blonds chatter.

"Mya" The older girl introduced herself.

"Arya" She noticed the girls blue eyes and black hair and thought about Gendry briefly.

"I hate to leave you with these two but I have to get to work" Mya handed her a phone number and left without saying anything to the other two girls.

The Barbies started talking about the guest teacher. "Mr. Jaqen is smokin' hot. Too bad he's gay."

She huffed in disbelief. "What makes you say that?" She had wanted to stay out of it but she was being so ridiculous.

"He didn't even take a second glance in our direction. Gay"

"That makes him gay? Maybe he just has better taste."

The other blond decided to speak. "Like he would be into you? Barbie one rolled her eyes making her twin laugh. "A hot guy wouldn't even look at a girl like you."

The other girl pushed her chest out. "Speaking of hot, look what's coming our way." Both of the girls fixed their hair and checked their makeup. They were looking over her but she didn't bother turning around. She didn't care what they were looking at.

"Ladies" A familiar voice came from right behind her.

"Hi there" Blond one smiled and blond two batted her eyelashes. She looked up and Gendry was standing over her.

"Hey, are you out of class already?" She tried not to smile at him.

"Yep" Gendry sat down in the empty chair and put his arm around the back of her chair before kissing her cheek. She really wanted to laugh at the look on their faces. "Can I steal her yet ladies? I haven't seen her since this morning and that meeting was too long ago and way too short.

"We're done here for today. See you two on Wednesday." She jumped up and kissed Gendry before pulling him out of his chair.

"It's been a pleasure ladies." Gendry was putting on an act. She walked to her bike and Gendry followed behind her.

"Okay, What was that?" Not that I didn't enjoy it?" She asked him bluntly.

"I heard them earlier it was pissing me off. Is this professor really hot?"

"You were ease dropping?" She didn't answer about Jaqen.

"No, I just heard it." She punched his shoulder.

"Come on we have to change." She changed the subject.

"Why" Gendry asked unsure.

"Because we have family dinner to go to."

"Since when?"

"Since I told my mom you were coming tonight." Her mother had called to remind her about the dinner and when she couldn't get out of it she decided to drag Gendry into it. Her mother was thrilled that she was talking to a guy.

"Arry I'm not sure this is a good idea. We just started seeing each other." Gendry looked pale she wanted to laugh at him but decided it probably wouldn't help her any.

"You've met Jon the rest will be easy. Robb already approves of me dating anybody."

"Arry" Gendry whined like a little kid.

She cut him off. "Shut up stupid, If I have to suffer through family dinner then so do you."

Gendry screwed up his face in thought. "Fine, but I don't have to like it." She shoved his shoulder playfully when he started pouting.

Gendry- Monday evening

"Fuck" He mumbled to himself out loud as he shuffled through the clothes in his closet. Arya left him to dress for the dreaded family dinner and told him to dress casual. He wasn't sure if casual for the Starks was the same a s casual for normal people.

His hair was almost dry as he sat on the bed and stared into the closet hoping something would jump out for him. There was no way he could do this, meet Arya's parents. There was no way Arya Stark's parents were going to be okay with a guy like him dating their daughter. He was just a skilled laborer sure he was going to school to try and do more but he would never be able to provide the kind of life that Arya was used to. Arya really didn't care about things like that but when it was no longer there how would she deal?

At least that was what the logical part of his head was saying. The other side was remembering the wake up calls Arya kept blessing him with. The girl barely had to walk into the room and he was turned on. This morning didn't help either all day at work and the class he kept replaying their little adventure over and over. Every inch of Arya was perfect but she was an impatient virgin. He wanted to take her right here on his bed earlier today but the fact that she wasn't experienced was kind of freaking him out.

What if I hurt her? Arya was so tiny and he wasn't

The front door slammed shut and he heard Arya stomping across the floor. It always amazed him how noisy someone so small could be so loud when she wanted to be. Arya pushed open his door without knocking. "Why aren't you ready?"

"I'm not sure what Stark casual is."

Arya crossed her arms. "You're so stupid." She always made him smile. Arya went through his closet and pulled out a yellow polo shirt and threw it at him. "It's not a fancy restaurant. Put that on."

"Yes ma'am." He gave a mock salute. Arya was watching him as he pulled the shirt over his head. He really loved the way she looked at him shirtless, like she wanted to jump him. "No"

"What?" Arya came closer to him.

"You don't get to get me all worked up before we visit your parents." Arya's lower lip pushed out.

"It would be fun though. Unfortunately, we really do need to leave it's a forty five minute drive." He sat back on the bed trying to figure out how to say he didn't want to meet her family at least not yet and defiantly not at the same time. He couldn't think of anything.

The drive was taking forever and he was regretting not pulling the hard top for his Jeep. The further north they got the more the cold seeped through. "How was class today?" Arya finally remembered he was in school as well.

"Pretty easy actually, the instructor was going over things Mott taught me a long time ago. Besides the hot teacher how were your classes." He teased her making Arya shove him.

"Actually this is one of the only classes I'm excited about. We have to investigate a crime for the teacher. I'm going to look into the wreck that killed my aunt and uncle. It had suspicious circumstances."

"Is it safe?" He didn't need Arya pissing off the wrong people. Not everybody found her as amazing as he did.

"Yep the case has been closed for 26 years, so I doubt anybody will care. I've already been looking into the case anyway. I might as well get a grade for it. The police report said it was driver negligence but only one person looked at the actual car and he wasn't qualified as a mechanic."

"You are thinking someone tampered with the car. How did you find out all of this?"

"Yep, I don't know maybe someone cut a break line or something. That's what I want to find out. I have a friend at the police station. I also found out that the actual car was put into storage and hasn't been touched since."

"Arry if you're right you could piss someone off looking into this."

"Good, they got away with murdering three people and there is no statue of limitations on murder."

"This guy can't expect you to actually solve a murder."

"He wants the process but I might as well solve it Gendry. This is what I want to do." There was no way to talk Arya out of what she wanted to do, but it didn't mean he had to like it.

"Be careful, please. How do you even know what to look for on the car?"

"That fell into my lap. I bet I can talk Jon's friend Andy into looking at it. She works on cars. The problem is getting the car. Robert Baratheon has it tucked away somewhere and I doubt he would just hand it over to me." Fuck. He still hadn't told her who his father was. He really didn't want to tell her. Arya hated everything Baratheon and why wouldn't she? Joffrey had her put in a juvy camp. It wasn't long after she got out that he had met her. He was about to open his mouth and tell her when they turned a corner. "There it is!" Arya was smiling up the largest house he had ever seen. It looked like an old castle with the high walls and old stones surrounding everything. He wasn't even close to being in the same class as Arya was.

"Winterfell" He mumbled to himself.

"It's amazing isn't it?" Arya hopped out and hurried to his side. He noticed a new car parked next to a black truck. A blast of cold air hit him as he stepped out of the Jeep.

"Fuck its cold."

"It's because we're so high up in the Wolfswood. The elevation means we stay cool to cold year round. It could start snowing anytime." He could tell Arya loved this place; he wondered if she could actually live anywhere else. "Mom is waiting, come on."

The pathway to the main house took forever to climb. He would never figure out why rich people couldn't park next the house like normal people. Everybody else was already there when they reached the kitchen. Some of the Starks were sitting around a large wooden table when Arya pushed him inside.

They all stared at him for a moment before Arya came up behind him. The setting on the table surprised him some. He was expecting an elaborate affair but this was just a normal family dinner. There weren't ten different forks to choose from of fancy plates that he might break. He relaxed a little bit knowing he wouldn't make a complete fool of himself. Ned Stark stood up and walked over to him with a tight smile on his face.

"Gendry, it's good to see you again." Arya gave him a funny look.

"You as well sir." Mrs. Stark was staring at him the entire time with a hint of shock on her face. Jon didn't seem thrilled t see him but came over to greet him along with the rest of Arya's brothers. A beautiful red haired girl was helping Mrs. Stark carry plates to the table. Jon gripped his hand hard before he shook it. "Jon, it's good to see you again." Arya pushed Jon away.

"You've met Jon already. This is Robb." A red haired man with a big smile extended his hand for him to shake.

"I didn't think Arya would be into the beefcake type." Robb shook his hand and winked at him. He already liked Robb for not trying to punch him.

Arya butted in before he could speak to Robb. "This is Bran and Rickon." The youngest one tried to grip his hand as hard as Jon did and Bran just eyed him as Arya pulled him away from the group of guys to the women in the room. He immediately recognized Andy who was sitting at the table and was relieved that he wasn't the only non Stark there. Mrs. Stark hadn't stopped looking at him and Sansa was talking with Andy. "This is Mom." Mrs. Stark put out her delicate hand for him to shake and he turned it palm down and kissed her knuckles like Renly taught him.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Stark." The features on Mrs. Stark's face softened slightly.

"Please call me Catelyn, Gendry."

"It smells wonderful." He was really hungry and the smell of pot roast was making his mouth water. He might have been laying on the charm a little thick but he wanted to make a good impression.

"This is my sister Sansa." Arya seemed to be rushing through the introductions like she was nervous as well. He kissed Sansa's hand as well.

"You are more beautiful than Arya said."

Sansa smiled. "I do not doubt that." There was a slight smile on Sansa's pretty face and humor in her eyes. He looked at Andy who was already seated.

"You're not kissing my hand." Andy joked with him before glancing at a glaring Jon.

"I wouldn't want to. I hear they get all greasy." He replied with the same easy humor making Andy laugh.

"I'm told I clean up quite nicely." The Stark's were settling into their normal places at the table. He took the seat between Arya and Andy hoping that they would help him out if he stuck his foot in his mouth. Jon sat across from him with Robb and the two younger brothers. Sansa was on the other side of Arya and Mr. and Mrs. Stark were at each end of the table.

Ned said a quick prayer and the Stark kids all reached for dishes of food on the table. Ned cut up the roast and Catelyn started filling glasses of water. He took a moment to watch everything it was the picture perfect family dinner. Arya shoved a bowl of mashed potatoes into his hands. "Here stupid pass it when you're done."

"Arya!" Catelyn scolded. "You don not call people stupid." Sansa and Andy were trying to hide a smile and the rest of the Stark children were laughing.

"It's alright. I choose to think of it as a term of endearment and I wouldn't know what to do with myself if she was actually nice to me." Mrs. Stark nodded her head slightly. Ned just smirked as he piled peas onto his plate. After the food was passed around the table went awkwardly quiet. He decided to try and break the silence.

"You better pace yourself Andy. You act like you've never had a home cooked meal." He joked after seeing the mound of food on her plate.

Jon glared at him. "She hasn't."

Andy stared at Jon across the table. "Jon, be nice. This is my first home cooked meal."

"I'm sorry." He wasn't trying to be rude just break the silence. He had managed to do that.

"Don't be. I grew up in an all boys military school after my dad died. I'm used to cafeteria food and MRE's, so this is pretty much heaven for me." He kind of felt sorry for her; his mom hadn't been around long but he remembered home cooked meals.

"You've never had a home cooked meal before?" Mrs. Stark asked in disbelief.

"No ma'am, and I'm not sure I'll ever have another that can beat this one. I can cook to save my life but I wouldn't want anyone else to have to eat it."

"You should learn." Jon smarted off. "Women are supposed to cook."

"Why, I fix the car. The man can cook." Andy threw a smug look across the table as Robb laughed at his brother. There was a tension between Jon and Andy that wasn't there before. His remark had started everyone talking again. He told Catelyn about his job and school. Ned asked him about his classes, but hadn't mentioned his father thankfully.

"Whose new car was parked outside?" He had noticed the car on the way up but didn't think anything about it until now.

"It's mine!" Sansa beamed.

"It's a nice car when did you get it?"

"Today, it's a Nissan 370 Z coupe. I decided it was time to get one."

"What about Sandor?" Arya said loudly.

Sansa was watching her plate as she spoke. "I fired him."

"What! You fired your dog!"

"Arya!" Everybody said at the same time.

"Sorry" Arya pouted and he bit his lip to hide his smile. Arya was the same no matter who she was with.

"Can I drive it?" Rickon asked after the dust settled.

"No way" Sansa informed her baby brother.

"How old are you?" Arya hadn't mentioned a lot about her younger brother.

"I'm 15. I'll be 16 this summer."

"Sixteen was a great age. It was the first time I fell in love." Andy said as the plates were cleared from the table and homemade pie was brought out to them.

"Really?" Jon's interest peaked.

"Yep, she was a 1970 Plymouth Cuda." There were conversation's everywhere now it was hard to keep up.

"The Blade?" Rickon questioned.

"Yes, how did you know?"

"I have a poster in my room. I love your cars." He could tell Rickon was crushing on Andy. When the kid spoke to her a blush would creep up his neck.

"I could use and extra hand at my shop and Jon is worthless if you get time stop by." Andy had just made the kid really happy. Ned pulled him aside after the meal was over and ushered him into his office to talk in private. Ned shut the door on Arya's protests leaving him alone in Ned's office.

Ned sat down at his desk. "Gendry have you told Arya about your father?"

"Not yet, I haven't had time to tell her." It was a half truth.

"How long have you been seeing Arya?"

"Not very long, two days actually I've know her for awhile though."

"And you came to a family dinner." Ned asked him in disbelief.

"She made me." He said making Ned chuckle.

"Arya has always been spirited. Arya is a grown woman Gendry and she is going to do whatever she wants to do. I'm not going to tell you to stay away from her like Jon wants me to."

"He really doesn't like me." Ned shifted in his chair.

"Jon has always been protective of Arya. Those two have always been close and no one is good enough for her. Gendry, Arya is young, impulsive, passionate and adventurous. She has never taken an interest in men before if she had I suspect she would've been like her aunt."

"Lyanna" he repeated the name Robert had told him.

"Robert mentioned her. That doesn't surprise me. My sister put Robert through hell. Ly loved to make him jealous and pick fights with him but Robert loved everything about my sister. Those two were fire and gasoline. " He wasn't sure why Ned was telling him this. He sat and listened.

"Gendry, I love my daughter and I believe you are a good man that would take care of her, but don't get too attached to Arya. She will break your heart when she leaves you for some adventure." The first person that actually worried about him was Arya's father. It made it worse to hear his fear out loud from the person who knew Arya best.

"It's too late for that Sir." Ned just looked at him and nodded once.

"Let's just hope history doesn't repeat itself then."

Family dinner sounds like fun. Just because the dinner went well doesn't mean that all of the Starks are necessarily okay with Gendry. He was a guest in their home.