A/N: Did some of y'all order Stark angst? Cause I brought more Stark angst. This time we get a Robb POV so you Robb fans can enjoy! Also, Jon and Theon are there :) Happy reading!

Chapter 17: Complications

After the previous long night at the Charity Gala, surrounded by people he couldn't stand, Robb was glad to be spending that Sunday out with two people he cared about. Jon had the day off of work and Theon claimed he did, though he could have just been dumping his responsibilities onto his older sister again.

They had been an inseparable trio since they were boys. They were always in the same year at school, competing at everything from sports to grades to girls. Or at least, Theon and Robb competed. Jon mostly watched from the sidelines and played the occasional mediator. People expected less of Jon. He was not training to inherit any empire. He could do whatever he wanted after school, and their parents wouldn't have protested.

But it wasn't the same for Robb. He had always known he would succeed his father one day. He was happy to do it. He had a knack for business, and he was a natural in negotiations. People seemed to like him without him having to try very hard. So it excited him to train under his father and, eventually, take over when he retired and finally had time to rest.

It hadn't happened like that. Robb had only just graduated from university when the car crash snatched his father away. And suddenly, he wasn't training under anyone. He was the face of the company. The youngest CEO in Westeros, scrambling to keep Stark Industries together as the vultures descended upon them. The last three years had been the hardest of his life. If he hadn't had his mother to help, he was sure he would have failed.

But he was still standing.

At this age, he expected to be more like Theon. Still learning the ropes. Still able to skip out on work occasionally, because they could handle the company without him. Theon's father was still alive, and his older sister was ahead of him in the chain of command. There was pressure, yes, but not enough to dampen Theon's spirits. Robb felt as if he was under a crushing weight all the time.

Jon had wanted to help Robb. Even though he hadn't gone to school for business and had little to no interest in it, he had offered.

"If you need me, I'll be there. I'll go to school for it. Say the word."

But Robb knew Jon would be miserable in this profession. Better that he became a cop. That was much more suited to his skills, and he knew their father would be proud.

"You survived your first week on the force." Theon said, clapping Jon on the shoulder. "First drink is on me. Then the rest are on you."

"You both make way more money than I do," Jon pointed out.

"It's not about the money, Jon. It's the gesture," Theon said, sliding a beer across the bar and into Jon's hand. "So, you haven't fouled up yet, eh? They're keeping you around for another week?"

"Seems so," Jon said.

"At this rate they might keep you around for two," Robb said.

"Maybe even three," Theon said. "But let's not be too optimistic."

A little smile crossed Jon's face. Robb's cousin wasn't exactly what one would call the cheerful type. He was naturally brooding, and it had only gotten more severe in the last three years. So a smile like that meant that he was truly happy.

"All right, all right, in all sincerity," Robb said, lifting his beer. "To Jon. You're perfect for this line of work and you'll do a damn good job."

"To Jon," Theon agreed, raising his beer.

Jon raised his beer in thanks and drank deeply. "So. Did you both make it through the Gala last night?"

"Half of it," Theon said. "Then I bailed because there was a much more exciting party downtown."

"And left me to fend for myself," Robb said. "But it was fine. Not as bad as last year. Or the year before that."

"They say it gets easier every year," Jon murmured. And Robb knew he wasn't talking about the gala.

"Yeah. Let's hope," he said.

"Tyrion's party was the real highlight," Theon said. "Though apparently I missed the imp slapping Joffrey Baratheon across the face."

"Now that's a real shame," Robb said. "I'll bet someone got it on video. I'll have Bran do a search later."

"Are you so old that you need to ask your little brother for help with computers now?" Theon asked.

"No, but he'll manage it faster than me, and he has more time on his hands," Robb said.

"Hmm," Jon said, sounding like he wasn't listening. Robb noticed he was looking across the room and followed his gaze to see he was watching a woman. She was a petite girl with a mess of orange curls atop her head. Her mouth was crooked, but she was pretty. Robb nudged Jon with his elbow.

"Have your eye on someone there?"

Jon blinked and shook his head. "What? No. I was just... thinking."

"Uh huh. Thinking," Theon said. "Why don't you introduce yourself, Jon? You know that men in your line of work need to have confidence."

"I'm all right, thanks," Jon said.

"Fine then," Theon pushed off the bar. "I'll make the introduction for you."

"Please don't," Jon said, but Theon was already halfway over to the girl. Robb gave Jon a pat on the shoulder.

"You've got to take a risk, Jon."

Jon looked like he would much rather die.

"Haven't seen you around before," Theon was saying. "What's your name?"

"Really? Is that your opener?" the girl raised an eyebrow.

"I'm a classic guy," Theon said. "Name's Theon."

"Ygritte," the girl said.

"Funny name. Haven't heard it before," he said.

"And I've never heard Theon before," she said. "So I guess we're even."

"Guess so," Theon said. "But I'm not introducing myself. I wondered if you might have a chat with my friend over there. He's definitely got a name you've heard before. Jon." He jerked his head in their direction and Jon looked like he might want to bury his head in his arms.

"Which one?" the girl asked curiously.

"That's not a no," Robb told Jon in a whisper.

"The dark-haired one," Theon said. "He's a little shy, but you won't regret it."

The girl tilted her head to the side. "He's got a pretty face." She looked up at Theon. "But didn't I hear you say he was a cop?"

"He sure is," Theon said. "Just finished his first week."

Her smile turned acidic. "Sorry then. Coppers aren't my type." She pushed off the bar and made her way toward the door. "Tell him he can find me when he quits."

"Ah." Robb sighed. "Bad luck, Jon."

"Bad luck indeed," Theon returned to them. "Especially since you have a thing for gingers."

"I don't have a thing for gingers," Jon said.

"Then why have most of your crushes been gingers?" Theon said. "Damn. She liked you; I could tell. I would think most girls would like cops."

"She's probably had a run in with the law," Robb said. "Better she didn't say yes then."

"I don't know. Dangerous girls can be fun," Theon said. His phone buzzed on the bar and he checked. "Damn... Yara is getting impatient. I'm gonna have to leave you early."

"You could only duck responsibility for so long, huh?" Robb asked.

Theon flipped him off and headed for the door. "Catch you later. We'll get Jon the girl next time!"

When the door swung closed, Robb sighed and returned to his seat beside Jon, who was staring quietly at his drink. "Sorry about that. Theon means well."

"It's not that," Jon said. "It was nice of him to try. Usually he just flirts with them himself."

"True. Maybe he's growing up," Robb said. "What's bothering you then?"

"Oh, you know. The time of the year," Jon said. "I also didn't get much sleep last night. Someone reported a body near Tyrion Lannister's party. They had heard gunshots and went to check it out. But the time we got there, someone had picked it up." He shrugged. "We're still looking but... I didn't get much sleep."

"Yeah, I hear you," Robb said. "This city is a fucking mess."

Every level of King's Landing was a viper's nest from the poor to the rich. The businessmen fought for power and wealth and petty criminals killed each other over their next fix. There was a new drug going around that was causing a lot of problems for the police. 'The Long Night' they called it, because it gave you one hell of a long night. But overdosing was easy and sometimes a bad dose made the druggie violent. It had caused a rise in random shootings and attacks.

His phone buzzed in his pocket and he checked. It was from his mother.

M: Where are you?

He exhaled. Gods, he hoped there wasn't a crisis at work. He wasn't in the mood right now.

R: Out with Jon.

M: Good. I need you both to come home.

Robb's brow furrowed as he tapped out his response.

R: Why? Is everything okay?

M: Yes. I just need you home as soon as possible.

M: And text your sister. She's not answering me.

Robb sighed.

R: Will do. We're on our way.

"What's up?" Jon asked.

"My mom wants us home as soon as possible," Robb said. "Both of us."

"Why?" Jon asked. "You don't think... something happened, do you?"

"No. No, I'm sure everything is fine," Robb said. But he shared Jon's fears. Like he said, it was the time of year. And bad things seemed to happen to their family in the autumn months.

They were home in the next thirty minutes. Nothing seemed amiss in the house. There was no wailing from upstairs and Robb did not smell a fire. When the door closed, Rickon came barreling into the front hall, the biggest grin on his face.

"You won't believe it," he said. "You really won't!"

"Believe what, Rick?" Robb asked.

"Come see." Rickon latched onto his arm. "Just come see."

So Robb let his little brother drag him into the east wing, past the dining room and into the kitchen. His mother was making lunch, which was strange because usually the cook handled that. In fact, he hadn't seen any of their maids around as he moved through the house. And he was so fixated on his mother chopping fruit, he didn't notice the actual shocking theme in the room.

"Oh gods," Jon whispered beside him. And then he saw. There, perched on the edge of the island, letting her feet swing back and forth, was Arya. Their sister Arya. Their dead sister Arya. She looked up and saw Jon and her eyes filled with tears.

"Hey."

Jon rushed forward, catching her up in a tight hug. Robb could see his shoulders shaking from here. He was crying. Of course he was. Jon had adored Arya, and she had adored him. When she went missing—and when they later discovered her body under the bridge—it had shattered him. He had been practically inconsolable for a week afterward.

Robb had been too. He had been numb and angry and confused. And he knew he should cry with relief seeing his sister alive again, but the tears wouldn't come. He just... didn't understand...

"How?" he managed at last. "How are you alive?"

Jon set Arya on the ground and she turned to face Robb, shifting from foot to foot. She always did that when she was guilty of something terrible that she did not know how to explain.

"The... the body they found was a mistake," Arya murmured. "I was never dead."

"Then why did you stay away?" Robb asked. "Three years. You weren't here. You must have known we thought you were dead. Why didn't you... call or... something?"

Arya swallowed hard. "I couldn't."

"Why?"

"I can't tell you."

"Why," Robb snapped, his voice cracking. Because he knew what this had done to his family. He saw the aftermath of it all. His mother nearly shattering to pieces, his sister feeling responsible because she said something 'rude' to Arya that morning. Bran feeling responsible because he knew Arya was skipping school and told no one. Rickon having to be pulled off a student who dared to mention Arya's name a few days later at school, lest he knock his teeth out. He didn't blame Arya for that then, because she was dead. It couldn't be her fault.

But if she was alive the whole time?

"Why, Arya? Give me an answer," Robb said, feeling the anger rise inside him. His mother slid between them, putting two gentle hands on his shoulder.

"Robb. Calm down."

"No. She doesn't get to be cryptic after all of this time. She doesn't get to come back and pretend nothing happen. She doesn't get to pretend we didn't bury her."

Arya flinched, but she did not fight back. And that was wrong too. Arya always fought back, even when she was wrong, but she was just taking it. That made him angrier. And sadder and more confused. Gods, what was happening?

"Robb, I need to speak to you for a minute," his mother murmured. "Out in the hall. Come on."

He let his mother push him from the kitchen. Once they were out of sight, Robb let out a heavy breath, jerking a hand through his hair. "I don't understand."

"I know. Neither do I," Catelyn said.

"When did she come back?" Robb asked.

"An hour ago," Catelyn said. "Tywin Lannister brought her home."

"He... what?" Robb shook his head. "Why? How? How did he find her?"

"It's a long story," Catelyn said. "And neither of us knows all the details yet."

So she explained it to him. She explained where Arya had been when Tywin had discovered her, what she had told him about her time away and Tywin's own theories about what was happening. The idea that someone had been keeping Arya somewhere—abusing her—for three years made Robb's blood boil.

At the same time, guilt flashed through him. He had snapped at Arya in the kitchen, thinking she would willingly stay away from them. But that wasn't Arya. He should have suspected something had happened.

"She's keeping a tight lid on where she's been," Catelyn said. "And demanding answers won't get anything from her. If we give her time... she may let something slip."

"Right," Robb murmured. He wanted to know the truth now. He wanted to demand it right this instant. But she was right. Ganging up on Arya wouldn't do any good. "So... what about that favor Lannister wanted?"

"He's taking Arya back with him tonight," Catelyn said. "And he wants our cooperation in... figuring all of this out."

"Does he really care so much where Arya has been?" Robb asked.

"Well, he wouldn't, I'm sure," Catelyn said. "But whatever happened to us could happen to the Lannisters. And he's not wrong to suspect it. Someone tried to kill his granddaughter last night."

Robb swallowed hard. "So... what do we do?"

"Cooperate with him," Catelyn said. "Like he asked. We're in debt to him for this. I don't think Arya would have come home if he hadn't discovered her. So we try to pay the debt best we can and... hope that he doesn't use this to his advantage in our later negotiations."

"It's Tywin Lannister. He'll use absolutely anything to his advantage," Robb said.

"I know. But for now, we don't have a choice but to work with him." His mother clasped his face in her hands. "If... if someone murdered your father... that puts you in danger, Robb. And if someone held Arya prisoner, that means she's still in danger. Even if this leads nowhere, I need to be sure all of you are safe. If that means working with Tywin, then I'll make that sacrifice."

Robb nodded once. Yes. There didn't seem to be much of a choice. And she was right about the danger to their family. Something was going on in this fucking city and they needed to find out what before someone else died.

"For now, go talk to your sister," Catelyn said. "And try not to be angry at her. Once we figure out the truth...then we'll decide how we feel from there."

"All right," Robb said. "I will."

He took a deep breath and turned, returning to the kitchen. Arya had taken over their mother's job of cutting the fruit, using the knife slowly and methodically. She looked up when he entered but then quickly went back to what she was doing.

Robb padded over the island, aware that his other siblings were watching him as he did, wondering what he would say. He ruffled Arya's hair as he passed, then leaned against the counter beside her.

"I'm sorry I snapped," he murmured.

Her throat bobbed up and down as she swallowed. "I'm... sorry I didn't come home sooner."

"Doesn't matter now. You're back," he said.

She gave him a sad smile, tears welling up in her eyes. "Yeah. It's nice to be back."

Robb let out a heavy breath and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. He did not understand where she had been or what she had seen in the past three years. But anything that could make his sister look at him like that... it couldn't have been easy.

It surprised Jaime to receive a call from his father the day after the Gala, because his father rarely called. So at first, he worried that he had done something wrong. Nonetheless, he wouldn't dream of ignoring a call from his father, so he answered on the third ring.

"Father? What's wrong?"

"Why do you assume something is wrong?" Tywin asked flatly.

"Well, you don't usually call unless something is amiss," Jaime said.

There was a short pause as if his father was thinking of arguing the point, but instead he sighed. "Someone tried to shoot Myrcella last night."

Jaime almost dropped his phone. "Someone... what? Is she all right?"

"She's fine," Tywin said. "Her bodyguard saw to that."

The girl with the steady gaze. Jaime remembered her. Icy as she had been at the moment, he was grateful that the girl had protected his niece. "Good. Thank the gods for that. Do we know who did it?"

"Yes. The man is already dead," Tywin said. "The bodyguard shot him and got Myrcella home. I'm inclined to believe someone paid him to make the attempt. He had little other motive."

"Who would pay him to kill Myrcella of all people? The girl has never done a wrong thing in her life," Jaime said.

"Somehow, I doubt this is about Myrcella herself," Tywin said. "You said you have a good deal of unsolved cases in your apartment. Do you have Arya Stark's case file?"

"Arya... yes, I do," Jaime said. "Do you think they're connected?"

"They were both young girls from wealthy families," Tywin said. "Send me the file."

Jaime was almost bewildered that his father was asking him for help. Even more astonishing, it was help that Jaime could provide. He hurried over to the table and grabbed the file, scanning the pages into his computer. "All right, I'm emailing them in just a minute. They should come through... now."

There was silence as his father checked. "No picture of the body?" he asked.

"No," Jaime said. "I worked on her missing person case, but I wasn't part of the team that found her dead. So I didn't have it with me. I'm sure there is a file at the station."

"Of course," Tywin said. "I don't suppose you remember who worked on that case."

"Almost everyone worked on the case at one point or another," Jaime said.

"Who filed the final report then?"

"I'd have to check at the station," Jaime said. "Problem is, I don't work there anymore, and Selmy has been insistent about me not trying to interfere with cases."

"Do you have any contacts at the station?" Tywin asked.

Jaime's brow furrowed as he immediately thought of Brienne. Selmy had told most of the others not to involve him but she... she had met with him the other day at least. "Yeah. Yeah, I think I do. I'll call you back."

He hung up and dialed Brienne. She picked up on the second ring.

"Lannister. Find any other leads?" she asked.

"Not quite," Jaime said. "How did that last one go? Helpful?"

"I'm making progress on the investigation, yes," she said. "So why are you calling?"

"I need a quick favor," Jaime said. "Can you go look at the Arya Stark file for me?"

Brienne exhaled. "Jaime, you know I can't give you any information about our investigations."

"I'm not asking for information about the investigation," he said. "I just want to know who filed it. Nothing more than that."

"Why? So you can ask them yourself?"

"No. Maybe. Listen, please check. Just the name of the one who filed the report. That's all I'm asking."

She was quiet for a long while. Then she sighed. "All right. Fine. You gave me the lead. I'll give you this and we call it even."

Jaime tried not to sigh with relief over the phone. He waited patiently for her to make it to the file room and he listened as he heard her shuffling with papers. After a long time, she spoke. "That's strange..."

"What?" Jaime asked.

"When was her body found? Two years ago, right?"

"Yes, two years ago. Middle of autumn, I think," Jaime said.

"Well... I can't find anything on her," Brienne said. "Not anywhere in fall of two years ago."

"Check three years ago," Jaime said. "That's when she first went missing. They might have filed it wrong."

Brienne checked. But again, no luck. "I really can't find it. Perhaps someone misplaced it."

"That's one hell of a file to misplace," he said.

"It is," Brienne said. "Sorry I couldn't help."

"No, no, that's fine," Jaime said. "I'll get another favor from you later. Thank you."

He hung up the phone and called his father again. "So... strange turn of events. There is no file on Arya Stark at the station. Not her missing person file and not her death report. Nothing."

"That doesn't surprise me," Tywin said. "They wouldn't want anyone to look at the body for too long."

"What are you talking about, Father?"

"The body they found," Tywin said. "It wasn't Arya Stark."

Jaime's brow furrowed. "You sound sure of that. Why?"

"Because I met her this morning," Tywin said. "More specifically, I met her a few weeks ago when Cersei hired Beth Rivers to work for us."

Jaime almost dropped his phone again as he tried to wrap his mind around the words. "She's... alive? Really? And Beth Rivers..." He shook his head. "That was Arya Stark?"

"Yes," Tywin said. "So this isn't just a case of a missing file. Someone pulled it intentionally because someone wanted the world to think Arya was dead. I'm not sure why yet. But I'll need your help on figuring it out."

Help. His father needed his help. This really was a strange day. "I'll do what I can," he said at last.

"Good," he said. "Come to the house this evening then. Bring the file with you. And tell no one about this. Understand?"

"Yes. I understand."

And with that, his father ended the conversation, leaving Jaime standing in the middle of the room with more questions than answers.

The Arya Stark case had been the focus of the department for a whole year, even as they worked on other cases. Girls like her didn't just go missing with no one noticing them. Jaime knew after a few months of no luck that she must be dead. So when he heard they found her body in the river... he hadn't questioned it. He wasn't on the team searching for her murderer. He didn't even remember who was. He had been swamped with cases of his own at the time.

But if someone faked the results or lied in the report... Worse if someone had paid a corrupt cop to pull the report... then there was something much more sinister going on with Arya Stark. And Myrcella's near death the previous night might just be the beginning.

A/N: The intrigue grows and Robb accepts Arya back despite his complex feelings. Also, for those of you wanting more Arya and Jon, they will be getting their own conversation soon and Jon will be getting a POV soon as well. Next chapter is gonna be Sansa focused though, so Sansa fans can look forward to that. Until the next chapter, review subscribe and I'll see you next time!