A/N these characters belong to GRRM, I write for my own entertainment, not for profit. Forgive my writers block. Ha, time to form complete thoughts, let alone write chapters, is nonexistent when you have small children.

Chapter 17

Sansa curled up next to Sandor, running her hands through his soft chest hair. "You're like a bear" she giggled and snuggled deeper into the crook of his arm. Sandor stroked her bare skin and smiled, admiring her, the flush of her cheeks making her all the more desirable. Sansa ran her hands along his massive chest, following the dark thatch of hair that ran down his body. "You'll keep me warm this winter?"

Sandor realized she was asking a question, as to what would become of her, now that she had cut her ties with Harry. Sandor rolled towards her, keeping her enveloped in his strong arms. He looked at her seriously. "You know I meant everything I said before," He rasped. "What is mine is yours. We can do this however you want. Whatever makes you happy Little Bird. I am sure Fr. Sam will come find us later in the day and want to know what is going on. You know he care about you too, just differently than I do." Sandor whispered in his grating voice. He nuzzled Sansa's nose with his. He closed his eyes and leaned his face into her hair.

"Do you want to get married?" Sansa asked

"Is that a proposal?" Sandor teased

Sansa blushed, realizing she was being so forward, she sputtered, "I merely meant to know if marriage was something you'd ever dreamed of, considered."

"Little Bird," Sandor began gently, realizing her had made her uncomfortable, "I'm an unpleasant, under employed, recovering alcoholic with a criminal record and an ugly face. No, I have never really considered marriage. That is, because until I met you, there was no one I wanted to marry. I love you Little Bird. You make me want to be a better man."

Fresh tears were flowing down Sansa's cheeks. She was touched by Sandor's honesty and realistic assessment of himself. She knew he spoke true.

"I love you too." She said. They embraced and fell asleep.

They woke to the sound of loud knocking. Sandor climbed out of bed and put on a pair of pants. He closed his bedroom door. He walked to the front door and saw it was Fr. Sam knocking.

Sandor let him in, greeting him. "I hope I am not disturbing anything?" Sam said, eyeing the large man in front of him, half dressed with messy hair and sleepy eyes.

"We have had an eventful afternoon," He began. The two men eyed the bedroom where they swore they heard the tiniest of snickers. Fr. Sam shook his head, disbelieving his ears; Sandor continued "When I brought Sansa home we met Harry. Things did not go as planned and now her engagement to him is broken."

Fr. Sam looked curious. "And she is now recovering from the events… resting in your bedroom?" Sam gently questioned.

Sandor looked as abashed as he could, which, frankly wasn't very much. "Well, yes. I had to cheer her up. A nap did the trick, plus, we've been together for a few days, what's one more nap?"

Fr. Sam did not say a word, merely raised an eyebrow. Sandor chose to ignore him and busied himself by making tea.

Sansa had dressed and come to join them. Fr. Sam was quick to notice Sansa looked more radiant than ever. It looked as though the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders. He questioned her more about the events of the day, being sensitive to her feelings.

By the time tea was over, Fr. Sam could clearly see things were going in the right direction for his two dear friends. He also realized they didn't have a great idea how to get to the next step of their relationship.

"If I may be so bold," Fr. Sam began, "I have an opinion on this situation."

Sandor and Sansa looked at their friend with interest. "Please, go ahead" Sansa said kindly

"Well, I'll be frank," Sam said, eyeing Clegane, wanting to be clear but not provoke the big man "It is obvious to me that you two are well matched. You are very different, but you complement each other. Sansa, you are an intelligent and proper woman, you have grown up expecting marriage and babies."

Sansa nodded in agreement, blushing at the ideas of babies with Sandor.

Sam carefully continued "Sandor, you have made great strides in the past 2 years. You should be proud of yourself. You are a fierce and loyal man. You also are still tackling yourself loathing issues."

Sandor's eyes narrowed at talk of his insecurities, but nodded in agreement.

Encouraged, Sam continued. "So, we all agree that you would ultimately like to marry one another?"

The both replied "Yes."

"I could marry you tomorrow," Sam began. He saw Sansa grinning. "But I have a suggestion,"

He watched Sandor scowl and Sansa's grin drop and she cocked her head in question
"There is no rush." Then he thought back to seeing Sandor half naked with mussed hair "Or is there?" he began.

Sandor laughed aloud, grinning wickedly while Sansa looked mortified at the implication.

"Fr. Sam," Sansa replied, blushing furiously "My virtue is still intact! Sandor is an honorable man." She insisted.

"Very well," Fr. Sam smiled gently and patted her hand, "Then I suggest Sansa move into the rectory. She can have a suite that was once used for the nuns of the convent. We shall dine together at meal times, as we usually do. Sansa, perhaps you wish to find employment in your field? It may be time for both of you to broaden your horizons. I am in no means asking you to leave. If you wish, you may remain here after you marry. But I am under no illusions that the life as a church care taker is the one Sandor has planned. I am not sure he has even thought about a life beyond employment and shelter here. To be true to yourselves, you need a little space to grow individually before you can grow together as a couple."

Sandor and Sansa reluctantly agreed, seeing the truth in Fr. Sam's words about taking things slow and cautious.

Sam continued "Please join me for dinner in a half hour. Have one last night together here and then tomorrow Sandor can help you move into your new suite."