Authors note: I know I've been away a lot recently. Its finals this week and I've been studying recently the past month in preparation for my exams, I haven't had much time to write. Hopefully, you enjoy this next installment of Black Bird. Please leave a review if you have any comments or concerns about the story so far. Id also like to shout out to those from Hungary and Switzerland! Thank You for making my story go international! If any of you are from another country other than America, please leave a comment saying where you're from and you'll be in my next shout out! Thank all of you again for sticking with me so far :) it's been rough but I don't plan on abandoning this tale just yet ;)

Now... On with the story!

Chapter Five

To say that it was raining is an understatement. Jane had managed to get off of work early from her rounds in the burns unit at Guildhall and was driving down the street lamp lite road when her car suddenly began to slow. With an exasperated breath, the uniform-clad woman put on her hazards and pulled to the side of the lane. Cars whizzed by her, paying no mind to the fact that help was needed.

"Great," was all she could muster as she began to inspect her dashboard. The engine light was on meaning that the issue at hand laid there. Sure she could try and fix it herself but the rain was coming down in buckets. Jane opted to remain right where she was until the storm let up.

Bzz Bzz Bzz

The mobile in her purse began to indicate that someone was trying to reach her. Without even looking to see who exactly was on the other line, she answered.

"Hello?"

"Jane? It's Jon." Surprise consumed her as she heard her cousin's voice on the other side. "Is now a good time to talk?"

"Of course," she exclaimed, Jon rarely called due to his intense work schedule. When he did call out of the blue, it was always important and Jane was never sorry for answering his call. When Jon didn't continue she softly called out his name.

"Sorry, nothing is wrong so don't worry. I just wanted to tell you that Ygritte and I are expecting." His voice was distant and laced with fear, leaving pity to settle in Jane's heart.

"Jon that's amazing" the nurse exclaimed, "why on earth do you sound like this is going to end your life?" the question was heavy but it was the right one to get the silent man to finally start opening up.

"I'm happy, really I am. You know I've always wanted kids," that didn't sound reassuring.

"But?"

"But what if I screw this up? Ygritte and I have only been married for a year and even though we both work, we don't have enough to move to a bigger place. The apartment isn't in a nice neighborhood and it's always cold. How exactly can we take care of a baby if we can barely take care of ourselves?"

Silence filled the line on both parts. Jane was well aware that the newlyweds could barely afford what they had now to make ends meet. Despite Jon being with the Guard at Castle Black, it didn't exactly make the best income. Ygritte worked two part-time jobs while she attends school to further her career, but it had taken her a long time just to get the ones she had now. The woman was fierce and independent and did not take orders or commands lightly. Being born north of the wall also provided a number of prejudices against her. Many Westerosi believed that, despite the Free Folk managing to become a country of their own and thriving, the citizens there couldn't be trusted. Those south of the wall still held onto the barbaric notions that "wildlings" were still heathens even after hundreds of years of technological advancements on their part.

"Jon, listen to me. Things will not be easy. I managed to marry someone who had money so we didn't need to worry when I got pregnant." Her breath was shaky as she remembered exactly who her ex-husband was. "Things will be difficult, I won't lie, but you have each other to rely on. Ygritte is almost done with school, she managed to get tons of scholarships so there isn't much debt that she owes. Soon she can get a better and full-time job and you won't have to worry as much."

It wasn't much but it was the best she could do for the man who had been like a brother to her during her time with the Starks. "Jon, if things get hard for the both of you, you know Mom and Dad and the others will be there to help you in a heartbeat. Besides, Mom is going to end up spoiling your kid rotten once it's born. Ever since Rob and Jayne had their kid she's been dying for more grandchildren." a soft chuckle was heard on the other side of the line.

"Thank you, Jane," another pause. "How have you been? It's been ages since we talked last." curiosity filled the words that came from his deep voice.

Jane couldn't help but smile at the news she had for the man of the Night's Watch. She talked for nearly an hour with the man on the line, filling him in on the events that have recently taken place. Jon would ask questions and Jane would answer each one with as much information she was willing to give. Eventually, the rain began to let up.

"Hey, I gotta go. My engine crapped out on me and I need to look at it, talk later?"

"Sure, be safe Jane, I still don't like the fact that you live in the capital. If you need help please call someone." worry was etched into Jon's heart. He knew that she had been through a lot in the last couple years, hearing her laugh and sound happy made his heart swell. If he ever met this Sandor of hers, he would have to buy him the tallest glass of ale he could buy in thanks for making her happy.

"I will, I love you, Jon. Send my love to your wife when she wakes up."

"Love you too. Come visit when you can and bring your man with you."

Jane's cheeks heated up at the remark and couldn't help but daydream about Sandor meeting her serious yet loving family. She knew that if Arya and he met they would hit it off without a problem, Sandor seemed to have a knack for fighting and Arya herself has become quite the little fighter. Perhaps they'd spar but it would seem unfair given that the youngest female Stark was so fast and agile while Sandor would be slower due to his size.

Jane was aware that Robb might not trust the scarred man much at first but would eventually warm up to him if persuaded enough. Robb never trusted anyone other than family. Sansa would be another story, she trusted too much of people. She still believed in Knights and fairy tale songs from days long past, the flame-haired sister had a good heart but it was a matter of time before her world would come crashing down. She has had nineteen name days and still needed a wake-up call. Perhaps meeting the realistic man that is Sandor would help her realize that not all people act like those from her songs and tales. As for the two youngest Starks, Bran and Rickon, they would enjoy the more mechanic side to Sandor. He knew every part and working mechanism to his motorcycle and with Bran being a brainiac and constantly learning the workings of mechanics, Sandor would die from the number of questions he would get from the young man. Rickon would mimic Bran's interest out of the want to be like his older brother that he has harbored since he was old enough to walk.

Jon was a bit of an enigma when it came to knew people. When they were younger and surrounded by people that they knew nothing about, Jon always tended to stay out of the spotlight. Jane usually chalked it up to distrust. However, if Jon liked you, he would make it very clear and the same would go for those he didn't deem worthy of his kindness. No truer example than when Jane had met her previous husband. Jon warned her about the gut feeling he had had about the then teen but she paid no mind to it. The entire time that Jane and the psychotic and manipulative man were together, Jon always treated him with animosity. It was as if he knew the entire time what Ramsay Bolton was capable of despite the wonderful charade he played the entire time they were dating. By the time they were engaged, things began to turn for the worst. Ramsey thought that after Jane had accepted his proposal, he owned her. It wasn't until a few weeks after the initial engagement that the lies began to pour from his mouth, the affair with the whore Meagan began and the cruelty of his heart began to show through his good placed facade.

Jane didn't want to focus on the Bolton bastard and decided to leave her warm and dry vehicle to stand in the cold and drizzling world. The short blonde lifted the hood of her old and rundown car and began to do what she could for the stubborn engine. It wasn't the first time that she had to do this and nor would it be the last. After her divorce and her ex-husband's incarceration, this hunk of junk was the first thing she bought after packing all of her belongings and moving to the Capital to begin her education on healing. She didn't have much money after arriving and she only allowed the Stark's to help her with the tuition and food despite their initial protests about the entire situation. They eventually understood that Jane needed a clean slate and that this was all up to her.

It was a risky move but it was the right one in the end. Once Jane graduated with a bachelors in nursing, she was able to land a job immediately after applying to her top choice of hospitals. The Maester in charge of the Guildhall Alchemy General Hospital was amazed at her high marks and stellar record while she attended University. Jane had managed to graduate within the top ten of her class of four hundred scholars, her being ranked at seventh in line for the valedictorian. Despite all of her achievements and haunting past, she was now stuck with a job that doesn't pay as much as she needed to afford her meager lifestyle and had to learn how to become her own personal mechanic until she could afford a better working car. Jane often at times would wonder if the Old gods would flip a coin to decide what her fate would be when it came to the important things in her life.

"I bet they're up there right now laughing at me struggle with this CURSED THING!" she screamed at the blasted contraption before her and stepped back from the engine only to kick the front bumper of the gold painted junker. Somewhat satisfied with the action the angered girl slammed the hood and returned to the worn interior of the car.

Turning the key in the ignition, she held her breath.

The engine revved but did not spark to life.

"Please, please, please. I just want to go home. Please." She begged and prayed and bargained for it to start revv to life. When nothing happened after a number of attempts, she slammed her fists against the steering wheel. A defeated sigh left her full lips and Jane rested her head against the driver's side window. The coolness of the glass seeped through her hair and spread its fingers across her scalp. Jane was aware that she could have her car towed to the nearest auto mechanic shop but she couldn't afford it, not if she wanted to have running water and heat in her apartment. She could call a taxi and leave her vehicle on the side of the road and have a friend go with her to pick it up in the morning. The issue lying there is that all her friends were nurses and they are all at work right now and wont get off till at least tomorrow afternoon. They'd be too tired from their shift to barely even function. They needed rest as badly as she does.

Suddenly a thought came across her aching mind. What if she called Sandor for help? Would he be busy? Was he still at work?

Jane grabbed her cellular device from the passenger seat where she had tossed it earlier. Flipping it open she saw that the time was 11:00 p.m. It is late, maybe he's asleep. Do I bother him? She thought. She hesitated with the bated breath, a mere moment passed before she began to scroll through the address book to find his name within her contacts.

When she found it, she did not wait to think this through, she simply acted. The line began to drown on and beep in monotone as his phone ringed.

"Hello?" a tired voice sounded from the other side. Sandor sounded as if he had been sleeping. Great, now comes the guilt. Was the last thought Jane had as she began to explain the situation to the sleepy minded man.