It was a tradition that the Stark siblings take an annual trip to the family's mountain cabin the weekend before Thanksgiving. It started when Robb was old enough to drive them all and he insisted Jon come with them as well. Jon's invitation was extended to the following year, and the year after that. Soon, it was just common knowledge that he'd be there. It had been quite different for the years that Sansa was at college; she was the mom of the group, the one who usually cooked their meals and baked fresh cookies to go with their hot cocoa. For the years she was gone, it was a lot of eating out before settling into the cabin at night. Everyone was excited that Sansa was finally back for their trip. Jon more so than the others but no one needed to know that.

The six of them loaded their bags and themselves into the family's large SUV and made their way up the mountain. After a stop at the small, local grocery store to pick up necessities, they pulled up in front of the rustic A-frame cabin just as the sun was setting.

As Arya, Bran, and Rickon raced inside to claim their beds, the older three shook their heads and began unloading the car.

"They do realize that as the oldest, I get the master, right?" Robb asked, taking a couple of grocery bags and heading inside.

"And I'm fine with the couch," Jon stated.

"And I'll be perfectly good ending up wherever," Sansa quietly said, her voice trailing off as she followed in Robb's direction.

Sansa began whipping up her famous enchiladas and they went fast as soon as she put the plates in front of them all. The night was finished out with a couple of movies as each Stark, one by one, decided to head to bed. Soon, it was just Jon and Sansa left on the couch, huddled under a couple of blankets.

Jon tried really hard to keep his eyes open, not wanting the night to end now that he had Sansa all to himself. He was failing though. And Sansa began to notice and laughed when she saw his head nod off before he jolted it back up.

"Okay, sleepy head. Would you like me to go to my room so you can sleep?" she asked with a giggle.

"No, no. Finish the movie. I can stay awake," Jon answered, his alertness not very convincing.

"Here," Sansa said and shifted her body to make her lap flat. "Lay your head down." Jon looked at her hand as it invitingly patted her lap. He didn't need to be told twice. Once he settled his head on her thighs, she grabbed his blanket and pulled it over him. "There, all warm. Now go to sleep."

"Yes, ma'am," Jon muttered with a smile and closed his eyes. The last thing he felt before completely drifting off was her fingers slowly raking through his hair, her nails gently dragging against his scalp.

At some point in the middle of the night, Jon woke up and realized they had shifted. A sleeping Sansa was now the little spoon to his big spoon, doing her best to fit on the couch with him. Jon wrapped his arm over her and pulled her closer into his body before he fell back asleep.

When the morning light hit his face, Jon stirred awake, feeling the loss of heat that had come from Sansa's body. The cabin was a bit chilly and still quiet other than some noises coming from the kitchen. Jon got up and went to inspect. He found Sansa busy cooking at the stove.

"Good morning," she smiled when she caught sight of him. "I hope you're hungry!"

"Sans, you really don't have to do all the cooking. At the very least, let me help," Jon offered as he joined her at her side.

"You know I love doing this. And besides, it's about to be all done. We've got waffles, toast, bacon, sausage, and I'm just finishing up the eggs."

Jon's hand, without a thought, reached to the small of her back. He could see that his gentle rubbing there brought a bigger smile to her lips.

"Yes! I knew I smelled food!" Arya exclaimed, interrupting the moment by bounding into the kitchen.

"Go wake the others, Arya," Sansa requested.

"Robb! Bran! Rickon! Breakfast is ready!" Arya turned and yelled toward the direction of the bedrooms. She turned back toward the food and caught sight of Sansa's glare. "What? I want to load up my plate before they get in here!"

After everyone thanked Sansa for the hearty breakfast, they all got ready for the day. First up was a hike through the woods behind the cabin. Afterwards, they went into the little town to walk around and have lunch at a restaurant that overlooked the lake. They loaded up on candy at the town's sweet shop, as they did every year. And, at Sansa's usual insistence, they posed for their yearly group picture in front of the lake. Even during the years she was away at college, she always reminded her siblings via many texts to remember to take a picture each year.

Once back at the cabin, it was board game time. After multiple games, the competitiveness was getting a little too strong, so they put them all away, opting to watch movies instead of possibly maiming one another. Sansa went to work on cooking dinner, still refusing help.

After dinner and chancing a few rounds of charades without killing one another, the others headed off to bed while Jon insisted he wash the dishes and didn't allow Sansa to even enter the kitchen to help. When he was done, he wandered into the living room and found it empty. Thinking Sansa had gone to her bed to sleep, his hopes of ending the night with her were dashed. Just as he was about to settle on the couch, he caught a glimpse of her red hair out in the dark on the balcony.

"What are you doing out here?" Jon asked as he stepped out into the cold night air and slid the sliding door shut behind him.

"I just wanted to watch the stars now that we're away from the bright city lights," Sansa answered, not looking away from the sky.

"It's frigid out here, aren't you cold?"

"Come over here," Sansa laughed and made room next to her on the loveseat she was bundled up in. Jon sat next to her and Sansa threw the multiple blankets she had over them. She then drew her feet up and cuddled into his side, Jon putting his arm around her shoulders to hold her closer and keep them both warm. Looking up at the sky again, a comfortable silence fell between them for a little while.

"You're amazing. You know that, right?" Sansa whispered into the silence.

"What?" Jon asked, tearing his eyes from the night sky to look at her. Sansa kept her eyes upward, seemingly too nervous to look his way.

"You are, Jon. I was downright awful to you and we hadn't talked in so very long. But you just took me right back in and you've been so nice when I just don't deserve it."

"Sans, I never held any of it against you. Like I said, we've all been young and dumb once."

"See. You're an amazing man. I never forgot that when I left. No guy I met could ever compare to you - it really put them at a disadvantage."

Jon smiled and leaned in to place a gentle kiss on her temple. Sansa let out a heavy breath and finally turned her face towards him. For a moment, her eyes searched his before they lowered to glance at his lips. When her eyes met his again, Jon gained the steely determination he needed. Without another word, he leaned in again, capturing her lips with his. As Sansa immediately began to kiss him back, the familiarity of the touch filled him. But with it came a new feeling, something that wasn't there that one fun, great summer they had together. It felt like a seriousness. A needy hunger that couldn't and wouldn't fade. When they pulled apart, they searched each other's eyes again and Sansa gave him a sweet, relieved smile. Jon sent his lips crashing into hers again, his hand reaching up to cradle the back of her neck. A moan escaped Sansa's lips and it took everything in Jon's power to keep his wits about him.

Jon was determined to do things right this time. Take things a little slower instead of going the route of fast, heavy, and fleeting like they did before she had left.

When their lips finally pulled away again, Jon kissed the tip of her nose and then forehead. "Can I take you out to dinner this week, Sansa?" he whispered.

"Yes. Definitely yes," she whispered back.

Jon gently tilted her chin and went in for another deep kiss.