A/N: Last chapter! Enjoy!

Sansa

Christmas morning was her favorite. The anticipation and build-up for the past few weeks was here, and she loved the bubbly, giddy feeling of waking up just a little too early and hearing her little brothers hurrying down the stairs to the tree.

It was wrapping a blanket around her body and heading downstairs as well, yawning and smiling at Bran and Rickon's excited faces as they plugged the tree in and gazed at the brightly colored packages underneath, the lights reflecting off the wrapping paper. It was watching her parents arriving, sleepily pulling on robes and sitting in the big easy-chair together, sneaking kisses as the presents were passed around. It was the smell of the French toast casserole baking in the oven with the promise of hot cocoa and cinnamon. It was laughing as the bows and paper came off and the room was filled chattering and dogs barking as they ran after a ribbon.

The night had been a tough one, and Sansa was looking forward to these moments with her family. A welcome distraction from the turmoil of her thoughts. Ned and Catelyn had said little to her about what had happened after she left the party, but Arya had snuck into her room later and told her what she had heard through the office door, and demanded to know if it was true. Sansa confirmed it with a heavy heart. She was free from Joffrey, and she was happy for that, but Sansa could find no joy in the knowledge that he was not only ruining his life, but also causing his family such distress. She couldn't even imagine what their house must be like this morning.

And Sandor. He was on the forefront of her mind as she tossed and turned in her bed. She had kissed him. And he had stood there and stared at her like she was growing a second head. She had thought he liked her. She knew she liked him. She wouldn't have kissed him she didn't.

But apparently she had been mistaken. She had misread his actions and intentions towards her. As he had stood there gaping at her, embarrassment quickly took over whatever romantic feelings had been stirred up in those last moments, and she fled inside the house. The thought that he didn't care for her like she did for him left Sansa in a deep pool of sadness and disappointment. She had made herself vulnerable by kissing him, and that was not the reaction she had expected. He was supposed to sweep her up in his arms and kiss her back, and all the horrible things that had happened earlier would melt away and it would just be the two of them. For the brief moment that her lips had touched his, Sansa had felt a spark ignite within her. A spark that told her this was right.

But it didn't matter now. She would probably never see or hear from him again. She had obviously freaked him out.

Telling herself to push the subject away to mull over later, Sansa threw the covers back and headed downstairs. Arya and Rickon were sorting the presents out. Bran was sitting quietly off to the side, petting Summer. Robb and Jon had yet to make an appearance; they would sleep until noon if their mother let them. Catelyn was in the kitchen, finishing the touches on the French toast so it could be warming in the oven while they opened the gifts. Her father was sipping coffee in his easy-chair. She walked over and sat down on the arm and he smiled at her. "How are you doing this morning?" Ned asked, playing with a lock of her hair. "Alright, I guess. I just needed to get away last night. I couldn't bear to be there any longer…" He nodded, patting her back. "We can talk more later if you want to. You know your mother and I are here for you." Sansa smiled and leaned into his hug. She did know that, and she was grateful that they didn't push her for details, especially on why Clegane had taken her home. Sansa wasn't ready to divest information on their strange friendship, especially now that it seemed that it would never progress any further like she had desired.

Catelyn sent the dogs to wake up her older brothers, and after they stumbled down the stairs yawning and groggy, they set to work opening the presents, and soon the living room was covered in paper and bags. Rickon and Bran immediately opened the toys they received and those were spread about, Ned eyeing them in trepidation as they surely meant that he would be stepping on them sooner or later.

Her siblings all liked her gifts. Arya was hyperventilating on the carpet because Sansa had bought her backstage tickets to go see her favorite band that was playing in a few months. "I thought it would be fun for you and Gendry to go," Sansa explained quietly. "He's gonna freak when I tell him!" Arya shouted, and proceeded to dance with Nymeria.

Sansa herself had received some very nice presents, though she had told her parents she was asking for much this year. They were already spending money for college, and even though Sana had a few scholarships, there were still a lot of extra expenses. Just being able to be home for Christmas was a present enough to her.

When the last package had been unwrapped, Catelyn and Sansa went into the kitchen and set out breakfast. Soon everyone had taken up various corners of the living room, feasting on French toast and coffee or hot chocolate. Ned turned on the TV and they began absently watching "Jingle all the Way". Sansa glanced around the room and thought, not for the first time, how truly blessed she was to have her family. This family. Even though they got on her nerves sometimes, even though she and Arya could scream at each other over the stupidest things, Sansa knew she would never trade them. They say you can't pick your family, and Sansa was glad that she didn't have to.

Without meaning to, Sandor popped into her mind again. Sansa wondered what he was doing this morning, and the realization that it was probably nothing caused her heart to ache for him. He hadn't been able to choose his family either, and unlike her, he had lucked out with a sick, masochistic brother. Despite what awkwardness had been placed between them last night, despite the fact that she had no clue if they were even still friends, Sansa felt badly for him, and she rushed upstairs to get her phone.

Quickly pulling up his number, Sansa hesitated on what would be an appropriate text. She settled for: Merry Christmas Sandor. It felt off to say such a thing when it was unlikely that he was having a very festive kind of day, but she could think of nothing else. Her phone buzzed after a few minutes. Thanks. You too little bird. A rush of relief flooded her. He had still called her "little bird". Maybe he wasn't disgusted by her attentions after all if he had used her pet name. She was about to text him again when another text came. I know you're busy with family stuff, but if there's any time that I could swing by really quick, let me know. Well, that was unexpected. What did he want to come by for? Was he going to ask her about last night?

Sansa chewed her lip as she answered, Sure! You can come by any time. We are going to the church service at 2 but then we will be back. She paced her room anxiously waiting for his answer, jumping when it finally came. Ok. I'll head over in a little while, if that's okay. She texted back a confirmation, then sat down on her bed with an exhaled breath. She was so nervous! Seeing him again after how things had ended last night… "Pull yourself together," she whispered, and with a newfound determination, Sansa decided to get dressed in some of her new clothes.

After making sure her dress and hair were perfect, Sansa glided back downstairs, trying to appear nonchalant. Most of her family was still lazing around. Rickon had fallen asleep amongst the paper wrappings, using Shaggydog as a pillow. Catelyn and Ned were in the kitchen. Sansa thought it was cute how they always made Christmas dinner together. She hoped that on day she would have such a relationship, a connection, with someone. Taking a seat on the couch, she turned the volume down on the TV and alternated between watching her parents cook and checking the front drive for Sandor's truck.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was being attacked by a myriad of fake Santa Clauses when her phone beeped. I'm here. Glancing out the front windows, she saw his truck pull up not far from the house. "Mom, Dad, I'm going outside real quick!" She hurriedly put on her coat and boots and walked out before they could answer.

Arms folded around herself, Sansa moved towards the truck. Sandor got out and walked around it, his eyes resting on her. A shiver rushed through her, and it wasn't because of the cold. He stood by the truck until she reached him, and they stared at each other a little awkwardly. "Hey," she said meekly, wondering if he could hear how fast her heart was thumping. He cleared his throat and answered, "Hey." Was he nervous? She should be the nervous one. She kissed him, after all.

"I have something for you," Sandor finally spoke. Sansa blinked in susprise. He got her a present? Shame swept through her. She hadn't bought him anything! True, she had considered it but had dismissed the idea, sure he would scoff at her attempts to extend the holiday spirit. "Oh," she replied, flustered. "I-I didn't know…I didn't get you- He held up a hand to interrupt her. "It's ok. You don't have to." His raspy voice was a little gruffer than it needed to be, but Sansa didn't take it to heart. He was visibly nervous and she knew that sometimes people lashed out when they were uncomfortable.

Sandor turned and opened the passenger door to his truck, reaching in with both arms. When he pulled back and turned around, Sansa gasped and her hands flew to her mouth. He was holding the puppy she had fallen in love with at the pet store the other day when they were shopping. "Oh, Sandor! For me? Really?" He snorted at her reaction, but a half-smile pulled at his mouth. "Yes, little bird. For you." He handed over the wriggling animal, and Sansa was soon laughing as the adorable puppy barked and set out on a mission to lick every inch of her face. "Oh, thank you so much!" She buried her face in the pup's soft fur, loving how it snuggled closer to her. Sansa looked up, smiling, and stepped towards him. "Sandor…about…last night…" "I actually wanted to talk to you about that," he interrupted again, running a hand through his hair.

Sansa waited patiently, petting the puppy softly. "You did nothing wrong, little bird," he said at last. "I'm the one who should apologize. I acted like a complete buggering moron. Hell, I…I'm a bloody fool." He chuckled, shaking his head. "You kiss me, and my response is to stand there with my jaw hanging open like an idiot." Sansa was at a loss, and she studied him quizzically. "You're not…upset? I thought…" He stepped forward and placed his hands on her shoulders, and Sansa wanted to melt into him, and she would have if she hadn't been holding a squirming puppy. "No, little bird," he growled softly, "I'm not upset. At least not at you." He exhaled and smoothed back a piece of her hair behind her ear. "Last night...that's not what I wanted my reaction to be." He pulled her a little closer. Sansa was starting lose herself in the storm of his eyes. "I wanted to kiss you back," he rasped, his voice low and husky. "I wanted to kiss you until you forgot all about Joffrey." His thumb came up to sweep across her bottom lip, and Sansa swallowed in anticipation. Sandor allowed himself to smirk a little as he caressed her chin. "Will you let me do what I should have done last night, little bird?" The blood was pounding in her ears, and Sansa almost dropped the puppy in her arms. "Yes," she whispered.

He tugged her against him, as close as they could with the dog between them, and he claimed her mouth. Slowly, gently, yet heated and longingly, Sandor kissed her. His hands moved from her shoulders to her neck and head, cradling her, before one arm wrapped around her waist. His mouth was hot and welcoming, and Sansa allowed herself to give in to him, and her wavering, uncertain feelings for him found root and grew steadily into an avalanche of affection and desire and need.

Eventually they parted, panting for breath. Sansa gazed up at him in wonder and amazement, hoping, hoping with all that she had that he felt the same for her. That this wasn't just a one-time thing.

Sandor rested his forehead against hers and she smiled as his breath tickled her face. "I've wanted to do that for a long time, little bird. You have no idea." At his words, her heart soared, filling her with a warm tremble in her limbs. "You have?" she whispered, inhaling his unique scent. Faded cologne, laundry soap, and something specific to him. He turned so that his mouth was on her ear. "Yes," he whispered back, causing her to shiver again. Nuzzling her hair for a moment, his mouth found her ear and the nape of her neck, kissing and nipping it softly.

Sansa moaned and leaned towards him. The puppy was wriggling like mad, giving soft yelps, and started licking Sandor's neck, eager to be a part of the exchanges. Sansa giggled as Sandor drew back in surprise, but he chuckled and ruffled the pup's fur. "Can't forget about you, can we?" he said, and the pup barked in agreement.

His eyes met hers again, and Sansa swallowed at the intensity she saw in their depths. "Sansa…little bird…" he started, holding her to him again. "Damn, I'm not good at these kinds of things. Never have been. But…" he paused, grasping for the words Sansa wanted to hear him say so badly. "I want you," he rasped, the scarred side of his face twitching. His eyes were guarded yet vulnerable, and Sansa could see that he was trying very hard to put down the walls he had so carefully built up for so many years, and being wary of it. To know that she was the one to get him to do this planted something deep within her that Sansa never wanted to let go of. She reached up and cupped his cheek, feeling the smooth and rough ridges of his burns, and smiled at him, trying to convey how she felt through her eyes. "I want you too, Sandor," she answered, and placed another soft kiss on his lips.

A/N: The end! Well, sort of. I have an epilogue planned for it. I hope you enjoyed this little fic. I had fun writing it! This chapter actually gave me so many Sandor feels that if I hadn't been at work I probably would have cried.