SANSA

Sansa stared down at her lap, her insides knotted with conflict. She'd been sitting in this office for hours, in a meeting with Detective Tarth, Uncle Benjen, Jon, and the officer in charge of Petyr's case. They were discussing the charges against Petyr and the possibility of the case going to trial in the near future. It was necessary for Jon and Sansa to testify.

That last part made her nervous. It was all that her mind could focus on, drowning everything else out. Four counts of 1st-degree premeditated murder was what they were pushing for in response to Petyr's tampering with Father's brakes. A hand on her shoulder caused Sansa to startle and look up.

"You and Jon will testify about the phone calls that were made that night. Specifically Baelish's call in which he instructed your father to speed," Detective Tarth said.

"What about Arya and Bran? They were in the car too. Will they have to testify also?" Sansa asked, her mouth dry.

"That's a good question," Uncle Benjen interjected. "That would require an intense conversation with their adopted parents."

Detective Tarth gave a sharp nod. "We will figure out the best way to approach them."

"Now to seal the deal and make sure that Baelish gets everything that he has coming to him, we can also press charges for rape. Third-degree rape charges for sex with a minor under the age of seventeen can carry up to a four year prison term. We can't go for first-degree because it wasn't forcible..." The voice trailed off as the sound of shuffling papers filled the air.

Sansa could feel the weight of eyes on her and she squeezed her palms together while digging the nails of her entwined fingers into the back of her hands.

She wanted to disappear.

She hated being reminded about the inn. Hated talking about it or thinking about it, and so far had done well to pretend it never happened.

"Sansa, will you be willing to testify about what happened at the inn?"

No. Don't make me.

Her distress must have been noticeable because the voice continued. "If you aren't up to it, we understand. It's often difficult testifying about rape — "

It wasn't rape. Sansa was so confused. She knew it was wrong.

"— We'll give you a few days to think over it before making your decision."

Rape is evil. What Petyr did was wrong. But it wasn't rape. Rape meant strangers forcing you down and tearing at your clothes, hitting you and hurting you...

"I think that's all for today."

Petyr was wrong but he was gentle… It only hurt when —

Sansa jerked her head towards her uncle. "Can we go?"

"We're wrapping up," he said, his eyebrows furrowed in concern.

"I'm going to wait outside," she decided.

"Sansa —" Uncle Benjen started, but she ignored him, hurrying to the door and pulling it open, escaping out of the room that made her feel as if she were suffocating.

Sansa hurried down the hall, out of the lobby, and made her way outside, grateful for the breeze that gently blew over her, cooling her cheeks and catching strands of her hair, causing them to dance around her.

She had several minutes to herself before Uncle Benjen and Jon appeared outside. "When are you going to court to get the adoptions repealed?" she immediately demanded, wanting to distract them from questioning her about why she left.

"One battle at a time, Sansa," Uncle Benjen said. "First let's get the bastard Baelish behind bars so that people will have no doubt about his guilt."

Sansa chewed on her bottom lip, the thought of being front and center in court talking about what had occurred in the inn made her want to vomit. She couldn't do it. Hopefully testifying about the accident would be enough.

When they arrived home, Sansa sat on the couch and watched TV with Jon. She tried to empty her mind and focus on the show, but all she could think about was everyone's expectation for her to testify about the inn.

"I can't do it," she mumbled at dinner time. She stared into her plate, not wanting to witness their expressions.

"Can't do what?" Uncle Benjen asked, his voice was full of worry and Sansa wanted to sink into her seat.

"I can't talk about the inn. Not in front of everybody." Even in the silence her voice was barely above a whisper.

"It's okay, Sansa. We'll be there to support you. You won't be alone," Jon said.

"I know," Sansa muttered. "It's not just that. I just don't want to. I don't want to do it."

"Why not?" Uncle Benjen wanted to know.

Sansa's eyes pooled with tears. She didn't have a proper answer other than she wasn't ready to talk about it. Tears spilling down her cheeks, she jumped up and ran out of the dinning room, hurrying to her room and throwing herself on her bed.

No one disturbed her, which she was grateful for. But the silence also allowed her to wallow in her misery. She ended up heading to the computer, needing to share some of the turmoil whirling inside.

Dear Sandor,

I can't do it.

I was supposed to press charges so I could testify against Petyr for what happened at the inn and I couldn't. I know I disappointed everyone but I just can't. I wish I could be braver. As brave as a wolf. As brave as the knights that you used to love.

I will testify about the phone calls that Petyr made to Mother shortly before the accident. Jon will testify too so that makes me feel better. I never told you because it hurts to think about, but Petyr caused the accident that killed my family. Everything's so tense right now and I wish that Petyr could be charged without me having to testify.

Your sad,

Little Bird :(

She shut down the computer and headed towards the terrace where they'd been sleeping for the past few days. Uncle Benjen and Jon were already there. Neither seemed disappointed in her but she was still miserable and it took her forever to fall asleep.

Sansa shifted in her sleep whimpering. She hadn't dreamed about him ever since the inn.

"Forgive me, sweetling," she heard him whisper. He tried to press a kiss to her lips but she pushed him away.

"You killed my family. I would have forgiven you for anything. Even for having sex with me but not for hurting my family. Never that."

She woke with tears on her cheeks and an ache in her heart. "I wish..." she started to say. But she wasn't sure what she wished for.