Tyrion stumbled to his trailer feeling half drunk even though he hadn't had a drop of wine. It had been so long since he had lost track of time in a conversation with a woman. Not in the bedroom, just spending time together talking. That hadn't happened since that night he met Tysha at a party freshman year of college.

(He violently shook his head. Now was not the time to let the ghosts of old loves haunt him. It had been almost fifteen years ago and the scars on his heart had finally healed enough to not rend open every time he thought of her. But the scar tissue...oh it lingered.)

But Sansa, gods, she was just dynamic. She was smart, her mind as sharp as a Valyrian steel sword, and funny too. It appeared that she appreciated his humor as well and her laugh did something to him on a molecular level drawing him deeper under her spell. She was also opinionated and passionate which led to several spirited debates that left him in awe of her. He spent his life arguing for a living, but this school teacher could set him back on his heels when motivated and gods did it get his blood pumping. And all this with never setting eyes on her. He had never felt this level of interest in a woman that had nothing to do with physical attraction.

It was a revelation.

It was also terrifying.

Swinging open the door, he found Jaime lounging on the bed, a boxed lunch propped open on his chest, scarfing down a sandwich. A similar box sat on Tyrion's bed.

"I made sure they gave you the vegetarian." Jaime mumbled with his mouth full. "Eat up, they need us back on set in a half hour."

"Thanks," Tyrion said, picking at the sandwich. Hunger is what finally clued both him and Sansa that their date had gone over (three hours...was it really three hours?) and now he wasn't hungry.

"They must have had you in those damn interview rooms as long as they had me. Between talking about the dates and that fiasco with the ginger douchebag, I thought they'd never let me out. Then Varys's slimy partner, Baelish, and some corporate suit were trying to sweet talk me into signing some sort of document promising I wouldn't sue them."

"WHAT?" Tyrion shouted. "Please tell me you didn't."

"Tyrion, I know I'm not the smartest Lannister but I'm sure as shit not stupid either. Of course I didn't sign anything." He snorted, "Told them that I'd need to speak with my lawyer." he said with a grin winking at Tyrion.

They lapsed into silence for a moment which was unusual for the Lannister brothers. This appeared to clue Jaime in on the fact that something was going on with Tyrion. "You OK?" he asked between bites. "Did Varys' little trick, because you know that little stunt stunk of his trickery, keep you on a bad date too long?"

"No." Tyrion said flatly. It had been a fantastic date, just with a girl Jaime was interested in and that made him shove his sandwich back in the box and toss it on Jaime's lap, his appetite suddenly gone.

Confused Jaime said "So a good date? Give me something. Or is it me you're pissed at for some reason?" he said, sounding a little hurt.

"It was a very good date." Tyrion admitted quietly.

"So what's the problem?" Jaime asked, frustrated.

"Let's see. I'm on a blind dating show I DON'T want to be on because Dad did some super shady shit and Varys swept it under the rug. A dating show that I was going to use to show the world how stupid the whole concept was because I know the girl is going to run once she sees what I look like. Because love isn't blind Jaime, it just makes you dumb enough to make you think that it might be. But instead of going with my original plan, I've met a bunch of fantastic women that I just couldn't dream of humiliating on tv. One of whom I just talked to for three hours and I can't wait to talk to her again!" he shouted.

"Three hours!" Jaime exclaimed through a mouthful of Tyrion's sandwich. "This is a problem?"

"Yes!" Tyrion said launching to his feet pacing the trailer.

"Why?'

"Because I'm a dwarf!"

Jaime laid down his sandwich and leveled Tyrion with a look. "That's your excuse for everything."

A bitter laugh escaped his lips before Tyrion turned on Jaime "You have no idea what it is like to be treated like a monster, a freak, your entire life. You were born beautiful. The golden son, the perfect male specimen."

"Hardly." Jaime scoffed, waiving around his artificial limb. "Or don't you recall the years of being constantly belittled for my obvious stupidity by our father!"

Furious, Tyrion addressed Jaime "You're not stupid, you have dyslexia."

"And you're not a freak, nor a monster. You're just a man with achondroplasia." Jaime shouted back.

All the fury rushed out of his body at once and Tyrion plopped down on the bed burying his head in his hands. Jaime sat across from him.

"Where is all this coming from Tyrion? You've dated half the women in King's Landing and I've never seen this level of insecurity coming off of you."

"There is a huge difference between bedding a woman a few times and falling in love with one Jaime. The women I sleep with know what they're getting because it's all they want from me. Just a good time between the sheets and a story for their friends of that one time they fucked a dwarf. None of them wanted to have a real relationship with me and most didn't even stick around long enough to try. And when one did, it was only for my money. I was just too desperate and lonely to see it. However, these poor innocent women" he gestured towards the studio, "don't know what I look like. What if I buy into all this and actually fall for someone and she sees me and 'poof' it's all over?"

"And what if you have a little faith in the women that voluntarily agreed to do this? That they are looking for a real connection and may be just as insecure as you are about their physical appearance? Or you could even" he gave a mocking gasp "tell them about your condition so it wouldn't be a surprise when you see each other for the first time. I mean look at me I already told Brienne about my hand."

"I don't know if I'm that brave." Tyrion said quietly.

"Just think about it." Jaime added. "This is a once in a lifetime chance for both of us Tyrion. To make a real connection without all the typical dating bullshit. Neither of us are getting any younger, I don't know about you but I'm ready. Ready to fall in love with a good woman who will love the real me flaws and all, ready to marry, ready to start a family. I didn't seek out this opportunity, but dammit I'm going to make the most of it. I suggest you do the same."

"Any other guy with your history and good looks would be out there hooking up with a different woman every night, not looking for love sight unseen on a reality dating show. There really are no men like you."

"Only me." he smirked. Leaning forward he asked "So who was the lucky woman you charmed for three hours?"

"Good evening ladies! I hope you had fun on your second full day of dating and enjoyed our little surprise for the last date!" Myranda said with a smile. "I know for a fact at least one of you really did as one of the dates lasted three hours!"

"Three hours!" Arya mumbled in horror to Sansa. "What the actual fuck? Who doesn't notice when a twenty minute date turns into three hours?"

"Shhh!" Sansa shushed Arya as Myranda arched one perfectly plucked eyebrow in their direction. She could feel her face turning crimson as the hostess gave a conspiratorial wink that she knew was meant for her.

"Who indeed? I'd say a lucky lady who's already made a real connection. Let's see if we can find one for you too Miss Arya." Myranda pandered to the cameras. "Now it's time for the real work to begin. We will be passing out forms for you to fill out. You'll start by listing the top three to five men you would like to see, I mean hear," she giggled for the camera "again. You can also strike out any men you definitely do not want to speak to again. We may set you up on additional dates other than your favorites if they are not on your 'dance card.' Take if from me, there can be a lot of time to kill over the next several days, why not explore every avenue! And with this year's team concept in play, you never know what you can learn from your favorite date's friend or family member!"

A team of harried looking PA's passed out some electronic tablets. "We still really want to get to our first "real" non speed-date of the show tonight so we're only giving you a few minutes to fill these out. Once all the forms are submitted on both the men's and women's side we will coordinate the dates and get started!"

Sansa found herself hesitating, and she wasn't sure why as she knew with absolute certainty that she wanted to see Tyrion again. Their date had flown by and the conversation had both the excitement of the getting to know you phase of connecting deeply with somebody along with the comfortableness of talking to someone you'd known for years. It made her heart thump just thinking about it. Not to mention that the timbre of his voice made certain parts of her warm and tingly in a way she hadn't felt in years. But there was still whatever game he had been playing, the one she was supposed to figure out, that stilled her hand.

She'd been charmed and manipulated before and it had ended in bruises, broken ribs, and a lot of therapy. But Tyrion's own brother had been a victim of an abusive relationship, so would he be capable of such a thing? There was only one way to find out she thought as she wrote 'Jaime' on the top of her list.

"Jaime?" Sansa asked, surprised. She had listed him as first choice, but had doubted he'd be her date for the rest of the evening. Their last date hadn't gone poorly, but not that great either and now with whatever she had going with Tyrion, she wondered if he'd even agree to see her at all let alone for the first non-speed date of the show.

"Hello again Sansa." Jaime said in a rough somewhat subdued voice from the other pod.

Deciding that the only way through this awkward situation was to address it head on she said "I must admit that I'm bit surprised I'm on your short list."

"You were the first name on my list in fact. Although to be honest there were only two names. And I'm not sure why you'd be surprised. I thought we had a real connection that first day."

"We did." Sansa admitted.

"But you connected more with somebody else didn't you?" Jaime said in response. Sansa smiled as she remembered how her dates with Tyrion had made her feel.

"Yes. But I think you did too." Sansa replied thinking of Brienne. "In fact, I think you're a bit of a fool for not listing her first. Brienne's too kind of a woman to give me stink eye, but don't think I didn't feel her eyes following me down the hall when they called me for this date with you. Although the fact that they called her name next for a date with Oberyn softened the blow somewhat."

A growl of frustration and a few choice mumbled swear words about a smooth talking Dornishman was Jaime's response.

Sansa couldn't help but smother a little giggle. His reaction and obvious interest in Brienne alleviated some of her guilt about Tyrion. But something he said confused her "Why did you list me first then if there is someone else who you'd rather spend time with?"

"Some things are more important, although for the life of me I'm having a really hard time remembering what right now." he said morosely.

"Your brother?" Sansa asked hopefully.

"Aw yes. That's it." Jaime said a bit sarcastically. "Tyrion." He sighed heavily. "Are your siblings older or younger than you?" he said abruptly.

"I'm the second born of five siblings."

"And you're all close?'

"We are now. We haven't always been but the death of my father brought us closer together. Particularly my younger sister and I."

"So you can understand what it is to feel ferociously protective of a younger sibling?"

"I do." Sansa said a little hesitantly. This conversation wasn't quite going as she expected. She had hoped Jaime would help her understand Tyrion better, not be subject to an interrogation from his elder brother.

"So you know why I'm here Sansa. Why are you?" Jaime said bluntly.

Taking a few huge breaths to calm herself. "Because I need to know if what I'm starting to feel for your brother is real or just part of this game he's playing. I...I've been hurt before..and I just don't know if I can trust my instincts anymore." She explained everything to Jaime. About the game she was playing with Tyrion. But more importantly she spoke of the years of abuse under Ramsey that had left her distrustful of men and questioning of their motivations.

It wasn't a pretty story.

Nor a short one.

Jaime was a fantastic listener. Because that is what he did...listen. Not interrupt or tell her how she should feel or offer platitudes. Just listen in a way even her family didn't. Or perhaps because they couldn't because they didn't understand.

But Jaime did understand because he had been there himself which she learned as he told her his own story.

When they were done, they sat in silence for a minute while they both collected themselves.

"My brother is an idiot."

That was totally not the reaction Sansa expected. "Umm..OK?"

"I mean he's actually brilliant. But he's an idiot when it comes to relationships and women in general. I know that's like the pot calling the kettle black in my case but it's true." Jaime paused and she could tell by the noise on the other side that he was pacing around his pod. "There are certain things that are up to my brother to reveal about himself but let me assure you Sansa that Tyrion's actions are not born from malice. He's not that sort of man."

"What kind of man is he then?"

"Witty, intelligent, kind, caring, loyal. Devious in a good way. You'll want him on your side in a fight. Metaphorically speaking that is, I've never seen him lift a finger to hurt anybody physically. He comes off as outgoing, because of the innate Lannister trait we share of always running his mouth, but he's actually very reserved with showing who he really is underneath. He's had his own personal issues to deal with that as I said before I won't elaborate too much on as that's his to share, but he's no different than most of us in the love and relationship department."

"And how's that?"

"Scared of getting hurt of course." Jaime said.

"I take it he's been hurt before."

"Not like you or I."

"But enough to make him wary of a real relationship?" A puzzle piece clicked into place in Sansa's mind. "Does that have something to do with his behaviour towards those other women?"

"That's the million dollar question isn't it?" Jaime asked. "If you can figure that out, you'll be well on the way to winning this bet you have with Tyrion."

"Jaime?"

"Yes."

"It's not just about the bet anymore." Sansa said quietly, her heart beating rapidly in her chest.

"I know." He said with a warm inflection to his voice before pausing a beat "Why else do you think I'm giving you a hint?"

Tyrion's date with Shireen had gone well but lacked the chemistry he had felt with Sansa. He could tell by the end of the date she felt it too, but neither mentioned it perhaps to spare each other any hurt feelings. He wasn't surprised that he hadn't been matched with Sansa again. Given the length of the date he all but assumed the production team would match them with somebody else, but he'd be lying if a small part of him wasn't disappointed.

Unable to sleep he was up reading a book on Bran the Builder, when Jaime returned from his date. His conversation with Jaime had been a bit awkward after his revelation of his three hour date with Sansa. After all Jaime had shown interest in her first. They hadn't had time to address the issue as they had to make it to set but it didn't appear as if Jaime was visibly upset.

But he had become very quiet, and that was almost more worrying.

"How was your date? Can I assume you courted the lovely lady knight?" Tyrion joked trying to break the tension.

"No. Unfortunately for me Oberyn was wooing Brienne with his slick Dornish accent." Jaime said in an annoyed tone as he unstrapped his artificial hand and rubbed at the stump. He turned his back to Tyrion pulling off his shirt to change for bed. "But fortunately for me my first choice was available."

"Who?" Tyrion said with a smile wondering which other girl had captured his interest.

"Sansa." Jaime said, turning and studying his face for a reaction.

"Oh." Tyrion said in a small voice as his stomach clenched. He fiddled with the book in his hands not looking Jaime in the eyes. "Um, did you have a good time?"

"Seriously Tyrion, that's your question?" he huffed crossing his arms over his broad muscular chest. "I thought you liked her. I thought you really liked her."

"I do!" Tyrion shouted. "But I guess you like her too!"

"Yes, I do. She's sassy and sweet. Intelligent and caring. A survivor that won't let the horrors of the past dictate her future. She's nothing short of a perfect woman…."

Tyrion felt physically ill and he closed his eyes.

"...for my brother."

Tyrion's eyes popped open and stared at him wide eyed and Jaime just shook his head sadly. "Did you honestly think I would go after a woman that you are clearly into? You're my brother, my only real family. It's been you and me against the world for so long. Nobody's going to get in the way of that if I can help it." He sat on Tyrion's bed. "I'd hope you'd know that by now."

"I do." Tyrion said with a heavy sigh. "It's just hard to remember when my own insecurities and" he laughed bitterly "shortcomings are getting the best of me. You also got kind of quiet and distant after I told you about our date."

"Sorry." Jaime said with a rueful smile. "Not gonna lie, but I was a bit taken aback. I felt a kinship with Sansa that I didn't get to explore fully yet and I felt a bit robbed of that." He rubbed the back of his neck blushing. "I'm pushing forty and am just now figuring out that emotional connections don't have to be of a sexual or romantic nature with the opposite sex."

"You mean friendship on a non superficial level, with a woman? What a concept!" Tyrion gasped in mock horror before Jaime smacked him with a pillow.

"Yes, little brother. So she's my friend now. And she likes you. A lot."

It was Tyrion's turn to blush.

"Whatever you were feeling on your date with her, just know she was feeling it too." Jaimed added before yawning and flopping on his bed. "If you'll excuse me, I need to get some shut eye so I'm ready for tomorrow. Need to be at my best if I'm to keep my dream girl from becoming the Dornishman's wife."

"Good night Jaime." Tyrion said putting his book to the side and turning off the light.

"Tyrion," Jaime whispered a few minutes later.

"Yes?"

"You got a chance at something great here. Don't fuck it up." Jaime warned.

(But of course, he did.)