A/N: And we're back. And I actually got the chapter done at a reasonable time of day, so that's good! Enjoy some planning between the Starks and Lannisters!

Chapter 51: The End in Sight

The world was a haze to Sansa. Like the nights when she drank too much just to feel something and ended up numbing out instead. Except this was way worse. It was persistent. Endless.

Her whole body was made of lead and she couldn't focus on anything. She was aware of people coming and going. Young women she did not know. A man with bright eyes and a too wide smile who sometimes leaned over her and jabbed another needle into her arm. Shadows on the wall which shimmered in the dim light.

She found it hard to speak. Her mouth was too dry. And when she managed words, they came out cracked and weak. Moving…moving was hard too.

Sometimes she heard a voice just outside of her vision. Familiar. Very familiar. But she just couldn't place it. Her mind was too foggy.

And in the midst of it all there was a craving. A craving for the awful drug keeping her mind in this state. Every time it started to clear, she wanted more. More. She needed more.

Once she crawled from her place on the floor and found an empty syringe. No drug left to use. One of the nearby women told her so.

"Nothing there, honey. But they'll give you more soon," she said. "They want to keep you out of it. Be patient. You'll get your next fix."

Sansa turned the empty syringe in hand. The woman clicked her tongue and walked away, leaving her alone on the floor.

Sansa slipped the syringe under her shirt and past the band of her bra.

She might need it later.

When Arya returned to the Lannister manor with Bran and Tyrion, she was surprised to find Jon there with Brienne Tarth. She expected her mother, of course, but not more guests.

"Jon. Has something happened?" she asked as they stepped into the foyer.

"No. Well…yes, something has always happened," Jon said. "We have a possible lead on the one that took Sansa. We were hoping for Bran's help. But when I called Aunt Cat, she said he'd be coming back here. You were out looking for a lead too, right?"

"Yes. And we have something. An address," Arya said. "And pictures. We know where they're keeping Sansa."

Jon's whole body straightened. "That's wonderful. Arya, how?"

"We traded information," Bran said. "It doesn't mean we can send in police to raid the place. This establishment would be used to dealing with police. It probably has tons of back exists. Alarm systems. If we trip them, Sansa will end up dead."

"And the culprit could escape," Arya said. "Go into hiding and wait a bit before striking at our family again. I'm not letting that happen. We need to end this and get the puppet master behind bars."

"Agreed," Jon said. "Maybe what we found will help with that."

Arya hoped so. Because even if they got Sansa back, she could not cope with this person lurking in the shadows anymore. No one in her family would be safe until they dragged them into the light.

So she would. She wouldn't kill them, just as the Faceless Man requested. But maybe by the end of this, she'd make them wish they were dead.

They, rather predictably, ended up in Tywin Lannister's office. Arya wondered if the man had gotten used to it or if he was just doing a very noble job at hiding his disdain. But regardless, Starks and Lannisters were gathered again, trying to figure out what to do with their new mountain of information.

"So we have an address," Catelyn said. "If we lived in a world where the police hadn't mishandled and tampered with evidence, we could call them right away. But we don't."

"No," Jon agreed. "This guy clearly still has contacts at the police. There were more files removed recently. Slynt wasn't the only one."

"You'd have to be an idiot to make Slynt your only guy," Brienne said. "Jon and I could go in at least. But it seems like more than a two person job. Jaime is still recovering so I wouldn't ask him." She sighed. "Especially because he'd probably say 'yes'."

"Most likely," Tywin agreed. "But I agree. Jaime is out of the question."

"I can go," Arya said.

"No," Catelyn said. "One of my daughters is already in danger. I don't need two of you in danger at once."

"Who would you put into danger? Robb?" Arya asked. "He's too recognizable as the head of Stark industries and he doesn't have near as much combat training as I have."

"I didn't consider Robb," Catelyn said. "I'd like to risk as few of the family as possible."

"You don't mind Jon going in," Arya said.

"He's a police officer," Catelyn pointed out. "He has training to deal with these situations."

"So do I," Arya said. "Frankly, I have training to deal with worse. I know that fighting the Waif landed me in the hospital, but this is different. I guarantee you they don't have anyone like the Waif guarding Sansa. Whoever they have, I can take. I'm going."

Catelyn looked from her to Tywin as if she was hoping he might shut the idea down. They seemed to be ganging up on Arya more frequently and she did not like it. They needed to stop working together.

Fortunately, Tywin just rubbed his chin. "It isn't the ideal situation. But considering our limited pool of allies, there aren't many others we could send with the officers. I could donate some of my security team but that would only widen this already sizeable circle."

"Clegane knows," Arya said. "He's the only one, I think. And even if you send Clegane, I still want to go. It's my sister."

"I think four people would be a reasonable number," Jon said, venturing a look at Catelyn. "I know you're worried for Arya. But hospital visits notwithstanding, I think she's proven she can hold her own."

Arya cast Jon a grateful smile.

Catelyn let out a breath. "Fine. But if I see you in a hospital bed after this is over…I'm never saying yes to this sort of thing again."

"It won't be me in a hospital bed," Arya promised.

"I can help too," Bran pointed out.

"Bran," Catelyn said.

"I'm not going to storm the place, obviously." Bran gestured to his chair. "Though it's the last thing they'd expect. I mean I can help at the computer. The clearly have cameras in this building. That's how the Spider got pictures. If I can get access to them, I can be your eyes." He looked to his mother. "From a safe distance."

"A very safe distance," Catelyn said.

"All right. So we know who will be headed to the address," Tywin said. "That still leaves the question of 'when'. And the culprits are still in the dark."

"Not all of them," Jon said. "We know now that the witness that assisted Jaime and Brienne a week ago was actually one of the culprits. Maybe the one who took Sansa. His name is Ramsay Snow. We were hoping Bran could find something on him since his file at the station was gone."

"I'm on it," Bran said, flipping open his computer. "Name does sound familiar actually. Just not sure from where."

"Whoever Ramsay Snow is, he's not someone with any authority in this plot. He's following orders," Tywin said. "And besides the puppet master, we still have to consider that there may be other Stark enemies collaborating on this as well."

"Oh we don't have to just consider it," a new voice said as the office door swung open. "We can confirm it."

Arya turned to see Cersei Lannister entering. There was a look of triumph as she strode down the red and gold office rug and took her place next to her father's desk.

"Roose Bolton is in bed with this puppet master," she said.

"What?" Catelyn replied. The question was tight and flat. "How do you know?"

"Because he all but admitted it to me," Cersei said. "I had a meeting with him. Asked a few questions." She glanced at her father. "I implied I was betraying you so if you hear a rumor about that, don't let it concern you."

Tywin blinked. Even he seemed caught off guard by Cersei's entrance. "That's good to know."

"The point is," Cersei looked back to Catelyn. "He implied that your son might not be a 'problem' for the Stark company much longer. And when I suggested that we were 'in contact with the same person' he didn't deny it. He thinks the puppet master has been talking to me too. Bolton is most assuredly aware of your daughter's kidnapping."

Catelyn's jaw tightened and her grip around her pen did as well. She could have been holding a knife in that moment. It would match the murder in her eyes. "That is very interesting information."

"Bolton let his cards slip like that?" Brienne asked.

"Of course he did," Cersei said. "I'm a Lannister. I've always vocally worked against Stark Industries. Why would he think I'd run off and tell any of you about his betrayal? Especially since I hinted that we may both have an interest in dealing with the Tyrells."

"He has been going on about them quite a bit lately," Catelyn said. "I think…I am going to wring Bolton's neck."

"Or," Jon said. "Instead of putting any murder on your record, Aunt Cat…we could get undeniable proof that he was involved in Sansa's kidnapping and arrest him."

"I've got a pretty good start on that," Bran said, looking up from his computer. "I know why Ramsay Snow sounds familiar. He's Roose Bolton's disgraced and disowned son."

"What?" Arya asked.

Catelyn's eyes widened. "I remember. Roose had a son, years ago. He got into a lot of trouble and Roose completely cut him off to avoid the publicity."

"Second degree murder," Bran said. "Though it looks like first degree was on the table as a sentence. He just had good lawyers. But afterward, Roose made a big show of not being in contact with him anymore. About him not being a Bolton." He tapped his fingers on the side of his computer. "But it seems that privately, Roose didn't cut him off completely. He paid for his legal fees. Got him off the hook for a lot of what he did."

"From my understanding, Bolton doesn't have any other children," Tywin said. "I'm sure that if he plans to take over Stark Industries, he'd want his son to follow behind him…without a record to weigh him down."

"Well, blowing up an apartment in attempt to kill police isn't a good start," Brienne said. "I don't suppose you recorded your conversation with Roose?"

"No," Cersei said. "And there was nothing incriminating anyhow. He was careful not to admit anything."

"Could you get him to admit something?" Tywin asked. "On tape?"

"I'm not sure," Cersei said. "At the end of the day, I don't think he trusts me. He just trusts me not to rat him out to the Starks. And he's intrigued by the possibility of me causing trouble in the Lannister company."

"If he's intrigued by causing trouble in the Lannister company," Tyrion said. "Perhaps I could be of service."

"In what way?" Tywin asked flatly.

"Well, say the puppet master didn't just reach out to Cersei," Tyrion said. "Perhaps they reached out to me as well. Our strained relationship makes that realistic enough. He might doubt Cersei's intentions to turn on you, but he won't doubt me."

"Not to mention, Tyrion is a man," Catelyn said. "He's far more likely to collude with a man."

Cersei sighed. "Yes, unfortunately that is true."

"He'd be suspicious if you scheduled a meeting out of the blue," Tywin said.

"So I won't," Tyrion said. "The Charity Gala is in a week. It's a perfect place to mingle without suspicion. A perfect place to plot and scheme."

"You haven't attended the Charity Gala in years," Cersei said.

"Yes," Tyrion said. "But if I am planning to enter triumphantly back into the business world, now would be a good time to start. I need to make connections like Bolton." He shrugged. "I can get a confession. You set the stage, sister. Let me put on the show."

"The problem is, the Gala is very close to the deadline," Catelyn said. "We have until that next morning to get the money to the kidnapper."

"No but that's perfect," Arya said. "Bolton has to attend the Gala. He'll be busy. And I wouldn't be surprised if the puppet master is also in attendance to keep an eye on the Starks and make sure they're behaving normally. Which means they'll be leaving Sansa in Ramsay Snow's hands. And I think we can handle them."

"You want to rescue Sansa at the same time we're getting a confession from Bolton then," Bran said.

"Exactly," Arya said. "And if we succeed at both, I imagine the puppet master will be feeling more worried than ever. What better way to drag them into the light?" She looked to Tywin. "Desperate people make mistakes, right?"

"They do," Tywin said, a shadow of a smile passing over his face for the briefest moment.

"So. It seems we have a plan then," Tyrion said.

"Yes," Arya said. "Jon, Brienne, Clegane and I will scout out the place they're keeping Sansa. Bran can get into the cameras. Then we'll lie in wait the night of the gala. The rest of you will be expected at the gala. Acting normal or coaxing a confession out of Roose Bolton." She looked to her mom. "The moment we have Sansa I'll send you a message. That way you'll know that she's safe."

"And once we have the confession, what do we do with it?" Cersei asked.

"We can't leave Roose Bolton room to escape," Tywin said. "And if we're trying to panic the puppet master… I think a public arrest would serve just as well. They won't be expecting that."

"No. They won't," Catelyn agreed. "But we'll have to wait until Sansa's safe. To make sure they can't retaliate."

"That goes without saying," Tywin said. "First the confession. Then the rescue. Then the arrest." He glanced at Brienne and Jon. "I'd prefer both of you be involved in the arrest. Since we don't know who to trust at your department."

"We will," Brienne said. "We can leave Sansa with Arya and Clegane and come to the gala immediately after."

"Good," Tywin said. "Then we're all in agreement?"

Silence and nods. It seemed so.

"Well," Tyrion said. "I must say, life has gotten much more interesting ever since our families became entwined. It's kept me on my toes, but we should try a calmer gathering when this is all over."

"I don't think anything between the Starks and Lannisters will ever be calm," Cersei said.

"Doubtful," Catelyn agreed. It was perhaps the only thing she and Cersei would agree on, but Arya noted that her mother's anger toward the woman had lessened now that she had offered her help.

"Never say never," Tyrion said, raising his flask. "Clearly we're all full of surprises."

The next week passed at a snail's pace, and yet somehow it flew by. Enduring work was almost impossible for Catelyn. Fortunately, she only had one meeting with Roose Bolton but she spent entirety of it wanting to drive a letter opener into his eye.

Robb was furious beyond belief when she told him. He ended up smashing a vase then apologizing profusely right after. But Catelyn was not upset over a smashed vase. Their life had been in pieces for years now. Broken objects were nothing to her. Besides…she wanted to do much worse.

Her other children were hard at work preparing to save Sansa. Bran had gotten into the cameras at the drug house. Arya and Jon had spent long hours watching the place for people coming and going. Catelyn felt a bit useless in all of it. She wanted a task to do. Something that would help her family in some way.

But she did have one job, at the very least, and that was attending the Charity Gala and acting normal. She had plenty of experience in that area. Every Gala since Ned had died had been an absolute nightmare she had to smile through. What was one more?

So she donned a sea foam green evening gown. Her pearls. Her makeup. Everything to help her blend in with the crowd. And she tucked a small pistol into her bag. Just in case. She felt the need to be armed for tonight.

She glided down the stairs, resting her hand on the banister and found Robb waiting for her at the foot. Just like the last Gala. How much had changed in this past year. How much they had left to fix.

"Ready?" Robb asked.

"No," Catelyn said. "But let's go."

The evening of the gala, Arya donned inconspicuous street clothes while Myrcella dressed in a beautiful gown of pink satin. Different costumes for different events.

"I wish I could do more to help with all of this," Myrcella said.

"You don't need to," Arya said. "You're already helping by going to the Gala and acting normal." She clasped her hands in hers. "And if you do happen to see anyone acting suspicious, just let your grandfather or mother or uncle know. They'll pass the word."

Myrcella smiled, nodding. "I'll miss my bodyguard."

Arya laughed. "I think you'll do all right without me."

Myrcella swallowed, squeezing her hands. Then she pressed a short kiss to her lips. "Stay safe, okay?"

"I will," Arya promised.

Before she left, she made her way down to Tywin Lannister's office. He was dressed for the party as well, one of his best suits. When she entered, he was tucking a gun into the jacket.

"Just in case," she guessed.

"Yes. Just in case," Tywin said.

Arya bit her lip, shifting from foot to foot. "If…we do get lucky and identify the real puppet master at the gala…be sure not to kill them."

Tywin tilted his head to the side. "That isn't a sentiment I'd expect from you."

"I want them dead," Arya said. "But…not yet. Trust me."

"I would," Tywin said. "Except for I have a sneaking suspicion that you are hiding something from me again."

Arya passed a hand through the curls of her red wig. "I'll explain after. But can I have your word?"

"Yes. You have my word," Tywin said. At least, she knew he was not the sort to break it.

"Good," Arya said. "And…if things do go wrong at the Gala…Just…"

"Nothing will happen to your family, Arya," Tywin said. "You have my word on that as well."

She nodded, taking a step back. "I should get going then."

"You should," he agreed.

She paused in the doorway, grasping the edge tight as she managed one last thing. "Thank you, by the way. For everything you've done so far. For whatever happens tonight." She smiled. "I'm in danger of owing you quite a bit more interest."

"You might be. If I was keeping count," Tywin said. "But I'm not."

Arya smiled. She could almost believe that.

"Go on," Tywin said.

She nodded, sliding a hat atop her curls and hurrying to meet Clegane out front.

Tonight, she thought. We're finishing this tonight.

A/N: It's all coming together now. And next chapter is sure to be an interesting one. Wish me luck on actually writing it lol. Review, subscribe and I'll see you next time!