A/N: Long chapter!

"Consummate this marriage..." Sansa visibly flinched at the words she wasn't meant to hear. Luckily, no one was paying attention to her and the crack in her veneer. To be honest, she hadn't done a very good job of acting the perfect, cold ice maiden during this feast. She had been unable to mask her annoyance at Tyrion's drinking and she knew when Joffrey was speaking to her moments ago, she had failed at trying to not let his words effect her. She couldn't help it though. She had been furious that Joffrey dared tell her that he was going to come to her tonight. Tyrion may have lied to her about his intentions and he may have taken advantage of her naivety, but he had protected her with relative consistency. She knew her biggest threat from Joffrey came from him finding her alone. Tyrion would never let Joffrey abuse her or rape her in his presence.

And then, as if her thoughts had conjured him, there was her little lord husband again, chasing away the lion cub. She had been relieved when she saw him, grateful that even when she had purposely abandoned him, he still came to her rescue. Now that Tywin was present, she knew she was safe. Still, she bit her lip and tried to put her walls up again. Tyrion may protect her from Joffrey, but that didn't mean she could trust him. He lied to her and manipulated her for months just so he could steal her claim. The perverted imp was probably salivating at his father's command. She sighed and steeled herself for what was to come.

"...I know you don't want this, but find a way to get over it and do your duty."

What?

Sansa stood shock still as Tywin led Joffrey away and they were left alone.

What did he just say? I must have not heard it correctly... she thought as Tyrion turned to her apologetically. She didn't even flinch when he took her hand gently.

"Are you alright, my lady?" he asked and she nodded stiffly, still trying to process Tywin's words. Had she truly heard him right? "I promise you Sansa, Joffrey will not hurt you. Not this night, or any night as long as I live. And should it come to it, I swear to you with my dying breath I will promise all the gold in Casterly Rock to anyone who can keep you safe after I'm gone." Tyrion swore, but Sansa just stared at him.

When it became clear she was not going to respond, Tyrion tugged her hand ever so slightly, pulling her away from the feast and towards their new chambers. Sansa walked slowly and gracelessly, her mind spinning. When they finally reached their rooms, they entered. Sansa walked straight to the table and poured herself a full glass of the Arbor Gold that had been left for the newlyweds. She gulped greedily, wishing she had partaken just a little at the feast. Then perhaps this wouldn't be so daunting.

...I know you don't want this, but find a way to get over it and do your duty...

Tywin had spoken angrily and she remembered the look on Tyrion's face at his words. They had clearly argued about this. Could it be that Tyrion had been telling the truth? Chella had mentioned that he was also surrounded by enemies. Could she be talking about his family? She assumed it was just Joffrey and maybe Cersei, but could Tyrion count his own father as an enemy? She turned to face the dwarf and was surprised to see him securely bolting the door. When he finished he turned around and jumped slightly at her direct gaze. He looked panicked for a moment, before he spoke quickly.

"I just...I only want to make sure Joffrey doesn't..." he gestured to the door. "I didn't mean to trap you here." He instantly turned to undo the locks but Sansa stopped him.

"No, my lord" her voice came out weakly, so she took a deep breath. "It's fine. You're probably right." Sansa's response stilled his movements, but he still stood awkwardly by the door. She could tell that he didn't know exactly what to do so she took charge, albeit grudgingly. She drained her glass in a few gulps and made her way to the bed. She must have misheard Lord Tywin. The only way she was going to be able to get through this night was if he hurried up and defiled her. Margaery had mentioned that most men sleep after the deed and if that was the case she'd have some hours of peace to cry without being seen. She began untying the sides of her gown. It was an elaborate piece and without a handmaiden it would take a few moments to disrobe. She wanted to do it herself though, take a small piece of control in this horrid situation. She was just removing the jeweled collar when Tyrion spoke sharply behind her.

"For gods sakes, Sansa! Stop it!" She turned and saw a flushed and angry dwarf in front of her and flinched when something flew at her face. Soft cotton hit her though and she caught a heavy robe. She stared at him wide eyed. "Get behind there and you can take that thing off. But get comfortable and then we can talk."

He pointed to some opaque panels that had been set up to insure privacy. Confused by his outburst, but beyond grateful, she obeyed without objection, fleeing behind the makeshift wall. As she pulled off the heavy gown and into the warm, modest nightrobe she heard Tyrion pouring some wine for himself. Hope bubbled up in her and she tested the waters.

"Is that wise, my lord?" She called from behind her oasis. She heard him chuckle slightly-a sound that she had missed dearly.

"Nothing was ever wiser."

She smiled at his response and tugged on the tight braids in her hair. They came undone after some struggle and she ran her fingers through the crimped tresses as she stepped back into the room. Tyrion had dragged a chair opposite the small couch and had set out two glasses of wine. He was taking a deep gulp when he caught sight of her and choked slightly before gesturing her to take a seat across from him. Sansa lowered herself onto the couch and took her glass. They sat in silence for a moment, him just staring at her.

"You wanted to talk?" she prompted him, eager to see what he had to say.

"Yes." he nodded and drained his glass, setting it down with determination and then looking at her fiercely."We do not have to talk anymore than you wish, but there are some things I need to say tonight." She raised her eyebrow and waved her hand for him to continue. He swallowed audibly. "I will not touch you tonight, Sansa. Not tonight, not tomorrow, not ever if you wish. I will not force you to do anything you are not ready for or willing."

Well that wasn't what she was expecting. To be honest, she was sure he would just protest his innocence to her again. Though after what she might have heard, she might be willing to listen to him now. But her walls refused for her to back down.

"I am your wife," she said dryly. "It is your right as my husband to-"

"Oh shut up.' Sansa glared at his interruption. Tyrion was flushed in annoyance. "Remember who you're talking to, Sansa. I know you used to be one of those courtiers parroting out phrases taught to them, but you haven't been that woman with me for weeks! Don't you start with that again. Yell at me, curse me, strike me if you have to, but don't pretend like you want me to ravish you on that bed! Because I won't."

Sansa stared at him as he railed at her and she felt heat rise in her cheeks in anger. "And why not, my lord" she sneered the title and stood, knocking the small table between them and sending both wine glasses flying. Neither of them seemed to notice as Sansa continued. "Ravish away! Take what you've always been after! Fuck me like you wish and put a lion in my belly" she faltered slightly at the curse, but the look on his face was worth it. "Use my sons to usurp my father's home just like you always planned. Murder my brothers and sister until your spawn is the only heir to the north! R-rape me until I am all used up and then move on to your wh-whores!" Her voice was reaching an all new high and she was choking on her ire. Annoyed she realized her face was wet with tears. So much for remaining the stoic, icy, obedient wife. Racked with sobs, she fell back onto the couch and hid her face in her hands. "It's all you ever wanted...all along..." she cried.

She didn't know how long she cried, feeling all her worries and hurt rushing out of her, but after a couple of minutes it started to slow. She glanced up at Tyrion's face and he looked equally pained. He stood and shuffled over to her. At his height, they stood eye to eye as she sat. He gently took her face in his hands and used his thumbs to wipe the tears from her eyes. It was so reminiscent of an action her father did so many times during her childhood that Sansa's heart felt like it was breaking. Tyrion reached over to the table now covered in spilled wine and managed to find an unscathed napkin. He used the cloth to wipe the sweat and tears and snot from her face as his free hand smoothed her hair away from the moisture. Her sobs had quieted to just the occasional sniffle as she allowed him his ministrations. When her face was clean and her breath was caught he pulled her into his arms, wrapping them around her shoulders and pulling her close. Heartbroken and exhausted by her outburst, she felt her body relax against his. It had been so long since anyone had touched her in this way, with such care, and she craved it so intensely.

"No, Sansa." His voice was barely a whisper, but his lips were so close to her ear she made out the words. "No. It was never like that. I had no idea..."

Sansa wanted so much to believe him.

"Then why?" her voice was hoarse from her crying, but she swallowed and pulled away slightly to look him in the eye. "If not for this...why were you kind to me? Why did you work so hard to gain my trust? Why would you do that?"

Tyrion looked pained and his eyes dropped to her hands. "Because you deserve it. I saw you in Winterfell as a pretty little child-one who had been sheltered and loved and doted upon by a happy family. Not having a loving family of my own, it touched my heart to see such bliss. Then when I returned to the keep many months later, that day at Joffrey's tournament...I saw someone completely different. I saw a woman grown, despite your age at the time, who had seen true pain and loss. That pretty child was gone and in her place stood a pained woman on the verge of being torn apart. My heart bled for the loss of the girl. But then after the day in the throne room when he was...When I stopped him." Sansa nodded, remembering like it was yesterday.

"As we left the hall, I asked you what you wanted. First you gave me some practiced response, but when I pushed you, there was a moment when I saw the girl again, hidden behind a well built mask. I was determined to draw her out, see how she mixed with the woman you had become. Over the next few weeks, I got to see her several times in your smile and your laugh. I was so happy to see her-to see that she was not gone forever. I was amazed by you, Sansa. That you had the strength to face all the pain and loss my family has put you through but keeping your gentle heart."

Tyrion had not been able to meet her eyes through his explanation but now he looked at her, seemingly begging her to believe him. And she couldn't help but let his words run through her mind.

"I just...I wanted to be a part of it, I guess. I should have known that my father would manage to fuck it all up." Sansa bit down a smile at the curse. "Forgive me, Sansa. Please. Forgive me for letting this happen. I should have offered Lancel in my place.."

Sansa immediately started shaking her head.

"No," her voice was strained from earlier, but she didn't want him thinking that the peacocking, idiot Lannister weakling was what she preferred. "No, I'm glad you didn't."

She still wasn't happy about being used as a chess piece by the Lannister family, but she was starting to believe that it was not Tyrion's intentions to use her as such. She knew that Tyrion's family was...different... She knew of the animosity between Tyrion and the queen, and it wouldn't take much for her to believe that there was no love lost between he and the hand either. Perhaps he did actually think of her as her own person and not what he could gain from her. Perhaps it was just his family that had connived to steal her claim. Maybe Tyrion had been truthful with her all along...

"If there is someone else you'd prefer...my father would be annoyed, but we could annul this marriage and you could have your pick of the Lannister cousins. I can make sure that my father lets you spend some time with each of them. I can help you find one that's not terrible-" he rambled.

"No" Sansa spoke louder and put her hand on his arm. "That will not be necessary, my lord. I think the gods have already given me the best one there is. If I am destined to be a Lannister wife, I'd much rather be yours."