Sansa
Sansa
Assistant district attorney Tyrell had told her to dress modestly. She was in a black knee length skirt and a plain white blouse with a grey button up cardigan over it. The A/C was making her shiver slightly. Sansa sat in the court room and watched Joffery sit at the table on the left hand side of the courtroom. He looked pissed and did not seem to be paying attention to what his attorney was telling him. She reached over and touched Aryas hand on her right side and Sandors on the left. They were giving her the strength to get up out of gallery and face the person who had violated her. It was the first day of the trial and Sansa was determined to be there every day of it until a decision was reached.
"All rise for the honorable Judge Jeor Mormont." The bailiff's voice boomed across the spacious court room.
Everyone rose and stood till the judge sat. He arranged his note pads and nodded to the ADA. Willas Tyrell stood and faced the jury for his opening statement.
"Ladies and gentlemen we are here today to seek justice for a brave young woman who was violated by this young man here." He pointed to Joffery. "You will hear evidence from the police what they discovered, you will see photographs of the poor brave girl after a brutal attack, the doctors will tell you about the injuries that she suffered at this boys hand, you will hear the story from her own lips. But the defense will tell you that this is all a lie concocted by the prosecution and police to destroy the defendant's good name. That he did not understand that what he was doing was against her will. But we will show you that this upstanding young man is nothing but a depraved deviant that needs to learn for the first time in his life that there are consequences. That you cannot get away with forcing yourself on a woman or that it is alright to beat her if she says no. I am hoping that you will find the defendant guilty of both rape and oral copulation. Let us give this girl and many others a voice and the power to say that no is enough to stop attacks like this in the future."
Sansa cringed every time that the ADA said the victim. She was the victim, the reason for this whole thing. She knew that she was going to be called up to the stand after the detectives were interviewed and the ER doctors and the photographs of her face shown she would get up and take the stand. Sansa was not going sit in the courtroom the entire time; she just wanted to see the opening statement. After they were made she would sit out in the hall awaiting her turn to testify, but she would not miss a day of this trail.
The defense attorney sat up straight and arranged his papers. He looked them over once again, touched Jofferys shoulder and stood. He was an old man, with a long beard and deep wrinkles on his face. Sansa knew from Myrcella that Cersie had wanted her brother Tyrion to represent her son in the trail, but he had declined because he was working on the divorce between Robert and Cersie. Sansa had smiled when she had learned this. Bran had said that Tyrion was one of the best attorneys in the state and had never lost a case. She knew that the Lannisters would not spare any expenses on defending their name and Joffery as well, but they would not have Tyrion at the helm.
"Ladies and gentlemen we are not here denying that something tragic happened the night of the romantic date that my client and the so called victim went on together. They enjoyed a nice dinner, shared some drinks and then went home. My client had, like most teenage boys, figured that his girlfriend was just showing him some attention. The only thing that my client is guilty of is being young and male. He did not realize that Miss Stark was not consenting to the act that he is accused of doing. Now the prosecution will have testimony of many people telling you that Joffery Lannister is nothing more then a manipulative vindictive person, but that is not true. He is an upstanding young man with a promising future ahead of him. If you find my client guilty of this crime you will be destroying his life. One full of potential and promise." The attorney went and took his seat.
Judge Mormont cleared his throat and looked over at both attorneys. "Mr. Tyrell and Mr. Pycelle are you finished with your opening statements?"
"The prosecution is your Honor." Willas answered.
"So is the defense your Honor." Mr. Pycelle said.
"You may call your first witness for the prosecution Mr. Tyrell." Judge Mormont said.
Sansa stood and walked out of the courtroom. She was not going to be able to sit there and hear what the detectives described about her injuries and the state of her face when she first walked into the police room. She did not want to see the pictures of her face black and blue and bloody. She shifted out of the bench seat and she clung onto Sandors hand. He stood and walked out of the room with her.
She burst through the doors as the ADA called Detective Bronn to the stand. Sansas head was swimming and she was dizzy. She stumbled over to a trash can and threw up. She stood there leaning over the can and shook with tears of fear and trepidation. Sandor was rubbing soothing circles on her shoulders. She whipped her face and turned to let Sandor envelop her in a hug.
"It is alright Sansa. You are doing the right thing. This is the right thing." He whispered into her hair as he held her.
"I know. But it is still frightening. I don't know if I can get up on that stand and let that old man ask me questions about that night. I can tell ADA Tyrell what happened because I have done that before, but not the defense attorney. And Joffery is sitting right there. He will be watching me the entire time. Sandor I am scared." It was the first time that Sansa admitted of being frightened out loud at testifying in opened court.
"You will do great Sansa. I know that you can do anything and you will do great at this. I am here right beside you and so are your family and friends. We are all here behind you." Sandor kissed her on the forehead. Sansa sagged into him and she just let him hold her.
They sat down on a bench and waited for Arya to come tell them when they come back in to the court room. Sansa was sure that she was going to have to wait all day. But in an hour and a half the bailiff came out and called Sansa to the stand. She took a deep shuddering breath, Sandor gave her hand a small squeeze and she stood from the bench and walked in to the court room.
Sansa tried not to look at anyone as she passed them. She did not look at her family on the right side of the aisle or the Lannisters on the left. She kept her eyes locked to the base of the judge's bench where a large engraving of Lady Justice was located. If Sansa did everything that she had been told to do by the ADA and tell the truth there was no way that she could fail.
Sansa took her seat at the witness stand and was sworn in to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. She finally let her eyes wander across the gallery and they stopped when she saw the love and support from her parents, the pride on her sister's face and the love from Sandor. She smiled at them and knew in that moment that no matter what happened she would be able to do this.
"Miss Stark can you tell us in your own words what happened on the night of your attack?" ADA Tyrell asked her in a calm soothing voice. He smiled at her and she took comfort in his kind eyes and started telling her tale. Once she was finished telling her story Mr. Tyrell thanked her and said that the floor was opened to the defense.
Mr. Pycelle stood and walked out from behind the defense table. He smiled at Sansa, but she wasn't fooled by his kind grandfather act. She knew that he was a snake on the payroll of the Lannisters and that he would try to get her to do something or say something to make herself look stupid and uncredible in the eyes of the jury. She steeled herself for the barrage of questions that she knew were coming her way.
"Miss Stark the story that you told was very compelling and tragic. Now which parts of it were the lies and what was the truth. Remember that you are under oath and must tell the truth."
Sansa blinked and looked at this old man before her. She knew that he would say something like this but not so soon into the cross examination.
"Objection Your Honor. The defense is badgering the witness." Mr. Tyrell sprung to his feet.
"Mr. Pycelle can you restrain yourself from abusing the witness for a second time?" Judge Mormont asked.
"Yes Your Honor. Let me phrase the question. Miss Stark did you leave anything out of the story that you just told."
Sansa closed her eyes and thought back to what she had just told the court. She told them about how the evening had gone fantastically, how the meal was amazing and how Joffery had been charming and kind. Then on the ride home he had forced himself into her mouth and when she broke away he had hit her. That was the truth to the night and she did not feel like she had left anything out.
"No sir I do not think that I left anything out."
"So you do not recollect that you also had drunk a glass of wine at the dinner that night, or that my client also consumed alcohol?"
"I do remember mentioning that fact to the detectives and I had been told that they would bring that fact up to the court. But you are correct that there was a consumption of alcohol that night." Sansa blinked and felt the shame of having drunk anything that night all over again.
"So you admit that you and my client consumed an entire bottle of wine that evening?" Mr. Pycelle asked.
"No. I had one glass of a white wine of some kind and Joffery drank an entire bottle of red wine. I only had the one. The detectives and the ER doctors can verify the amount of alcohol on my system was below the legal limit. I was not intoxicated." Sansa replied truthfully.
"Yes the reports do indicate that you were not drunk. Now when you were in the car with my client what was the topic of conversation that you were discussing?"
"We were talking about why I had not had sex with your client." The ADA had advised Sansa to avoid saying Jofferys name.
"You were not having sex with my client? But you were his girlfriend. Surely you wanted to have intercourse with him."
"I do not think that is any of your business weather I intended to have sexual relations with your client." Sansa shot back.
"Your Honor can you compel the witness to answer the question?" Mr. Pycelle turned to the judge.
"Objection." ADA Tyrell said as he stood and shouted. "Relevance?"
"Credibility and motive Your Honor. I am trying to illustrate the frame of mind of both my client and that of the witness on the night of the attack."
"I will allow it. Miss Stark answer the question." The judge looked over to Sansa and she nodded her head.
"I was not sexually attracted to your client sir. I started dating him because I was new to town and did not know people here. Your client made me welcome and introduced me to people. Then after a few weeks of us dating my sister and I found him up against a tree at a party having sex with another girl. After that I lost my desire to have sex with him." She answered truthfully.
"So were no longer attracted to my client?" Mr. Pycelle asked.
Sansa closed her eyes and took a breath. She would tell the truth. She would do that here and now.
"I did find him attractive, but I was not interested in remaining his girlfriend. After your clients altercation with his sister's boyfriend I felt afraid to admit to him that I wanted to break up with him. On the evening of the attack I was going to tell him that I no longer wanted to be with him. I just never got the chance." Sansa looked in the eyes of the attorney and fought not to look at Joffery sitting at the table.
"You were braking up with my client? Then why didn't you do it before you left on the date?"
"Because I was not able to get up the courage to do it. I was going to but I just didn't know how." Sansas voice shook.
"So you were leading my client on?"
"No. I had every intention of breaking things off with him. I just never got the chance to do that."
"So on the night of the attack you were going to break up with him and decided to have a drink first. Then you got into the car and started talking about sex. Then my client, not knowing your intentions of wanting to break up with him, started to engage in a sex act with you. Is that correct?"
"He didn't just engage in a sex act. He forced himself on me. I had no intention of any kind to have any sort of sex with your client. He was aware of that fact based on the conversation that we had been having. What he did was rape." Sansa's voice caught and she feared that she would break down and cry right there on the stand.
"Did you tell him to stop?" Mr. Pycelle asked.
"Objection. There is no reason for her to have had to say no and it still being considered as rape. She had not consented to the act, which is all that matters in the state of California." ADA Tyrell said jumping to Sansas defense.
"Agreed. Mr. Pycelle watch the line of your questioning. You are treading on a slippery slope here."
"Sorry Your Honor it will not happen again. Redirect?" The judge nodded his head. "Now Miss Stark would you tell me again how you get my client to stop engaging in the sex act that you were performing on my client?"
"I was not performing a sex act on him. He was forcing his penis down my throat and the only way to stop him was to bite him. That is when he hit…"
Sansa was cut off by an impatient wave of the attorneys hand.
"So you admit to assaulting my client?"
"Yes, but only…"
"That is all. No further questions."
"Redirect Your Honor?" ADA Tyrell asked standing up and limping out from behind the table.
The attorney nodded his head and showed that he approved of the request.
"Miss Stark what were you trying to tell the defense attorney before you were interrupted?"
"I was trying to say that after I bet the defendant he started to beat me and I was only just able to escape his car and ran out into the rain to get away from further humiliation and abuse."
"Thank you Miss Stark. No further questions."
"You may step down Miss Stark." The judge looked at her from his bench.
Sansa walked away from the witness stand and her eyes finally flittered over to Joffery. He had a look of disgust and hatred on his face. She felt the first tingles of fear radiating from her head to her feet. She let her eyes swing over the jury. Some looked at her in sympathy and others looked at her like she was making the whole thing up. Her fear was that they had not believed her, that Joffery would be walking free and that she would be nothing but a walking target for Joffery and his bullies to hurt and torment for the rest of her life. There was no way that she would be able to escape him if he was allowed to walk free.
Arya
Arya had never wanted to strangle and kill another human being as much as she wanted to kill Joffery Lannister. She found it perfect that he was no longer a Baratheon. Myrcella and Tommen were well rid of him. She was still a little shocked that Gendry was Roberts's son, but she was glad that he finally knew the truth. And that his mother and Robert were starting a relationship. Helen Waters was a much better woman for the Baratheon family then Cersie Lannister had ever been. It had been a slight adjustment for Gendry, but he was taking things better then she had first thought.
Sansa had just left the court room and the detectives were taking the stand. Bronn told the court about his initial interview with Sansa and Ned and herself. He spoke about Sansa's evident shock over the encounter with Joffery and showed the pictures that they had taken as well. Aryas stomach made a flip flop when she saw the violence that Joffery had inflicted on her sisters beautiful face. Bronn then went on to describe the interview with Joffery.
"When Mr. Baratheon, I mean Lannister, was being interviewed he was very cocky and was very evasive when Detective Yoren and myself questioned him. He made references to Miss Stark being and I quote "An ice bitch that got what she deserved." We took that as an indication that he was guilty of what Miss Stark was accusing him of. He took no heed from what his attorney advised. Once all the evidence was collected we made a formal arrest." Bronn finished telling his recollections of the events.
"What was some of the evidence that you found added up to his guilt?" ADA Tyrell asked.
"We interviewed some of the people that know him and found out that he had done things of this nature before. None of the victims felt comfortable to come forward, but they corroborate the story that Miss Stark had told to me. And the injuries that she had suffered backed up the claim as well as her previously broken arm."
"The defendant broke the victims arm on a previous occasion?"
"Yes. According to the victim's father and the ER doctor that treated Miss Stark on both of her visits. He fractured her left radius."
"Thank you detective. No further questions."
Arya sat there and watched as the old moldy attorney Pycelle stood up and started in on his cross of Detective Bronn. Arya let a smug smile tug at her lips as the attorney could not faze the tough as nails detective. Next his partner Detective Yoren was called. He gave a more in depth account of their interview with Joffery.
"At this point we let Mr. Lannister know that he was guilty of a crime after he admitted to having struck Miss Stark and that he would have charges brought up against him. Then with his mother and attorney present he started to openly cry as did Mrs. Lannister." Detective Yoren concluded for the court.
"Thank you detective. That was most insightful." ADA Tyrell said with a smirk as he walked back to his table and took his seat.
"No questions for this witness for the defense Your Honor."
Up next was the ER doctor who had seen Sansa on the night of the attack as well as New Year when she went in with a broken arm. He recounted her sisters injuries and made it all clear that Sansa could not have inflected the injuries herself when the attorney for the little worm tried to say that Sansa did them herself. Arya was so sure that with all the evidence that the prosecution had compiled and shown that the jury had to convict.
Then the moment she and her family had been dreading arrived. Sansa was called to the stand and Arya just had to watch as her sister relived that night all over again. Aryas hands curled into fists and were itching to go sock Joffery. Sansa was trying so hard to avoid looking at Joffery that Arya found herself watching him more then her sister of the jury. He kept his face changing from outrage and then to amusement at what Sansa and the lawyers were saying. The worst was when Sansa was describing his action of forcing his penis into her mouth. Joffery had leaned back in the chair and smiled widely. Arya was ready to bolt out of the bench that she was sitting on to beat the crap out of the little shit when she felt her fathers arm slide around her shoulders. She looked up at him and he shook his head. He had seen Jofferys reaction as well and was warning her not to do anything. Just then Arya saw Cersie's hand flash out and smack Joffery on the head. Arya smiled and felt her father chuckle beside her.
Sansa was finally permitted to leave the stand and she walked out of the court room. Arya and Catelyn both stood and followed her out of the room. Sansa was standing in front of a large window, the sun streaming into it. She was in Sandors arms and she was shaking and Arya knew that she was crying. Catelyn's hand reached out and she clasped Aryas hand with in hers. There were tears escaping from Aryas eyes as she watched her sister cry. She had been so strong for the course of the entire investigation and all through the trial. It was a shock to see her strong sister break down and cry now.
Sansa and Sandor stood there comforting each other. Arya knew that Sandor felt guilty over what had happened to Sansa. It was as if he felt like he had allowed it to happen, when he had not. Arya and Catelyn walked back into the courtroom and found their seats knowing that Sansa was safe and being looked after.
Sandor
He had been with Sansa every moment that they could be together since Valentine's Day. He had even snuck into her room at night. She had confided in him that she was having problems sleeping and would wake up at night having flashbacks to the night of her attack. She had slept when she was with him because she said that she felt safe, so he had started to sneak into her room to let her sleep in his arms.
It was agonizing and amazing for him at the same time to have Sansa sleep beside him, but not get anything more then a few kisses and some intense dry humping action going on. But Sandor could wait, he could be patient. He had fallen for his little vixen and did not want to scare her away. So he was the gentlemen and settled for sleeping with her in his arms at night.
The first night that he had slept with her she had woken up three times crying and fighting. It had taken him most of the night to calm her down enough to sleep. He had held her as she cried and rubbed soothing circles on her back. It had taken every ounce of self-control he had not to find Joffery and kill him for what he had done to Sansa and what he was still doing to her.
At the start of the trial he watched as Joffery sat at the defendants table. When Joffery looked over the gallery and he spotted Sandor with Sansa his eyes nearly popped out of his head. Sandor had his hand clasped tightly within Sansas and he had just nodded at Joffery. The look of rage and outrage on Jofferys face was worth being in the same room with the filthy worm. It was the first time Sansa and Sandor had showed that they were together around Joffery. They didn't even hold hands or kiss or really touch at school, so this was the first time that they had shown any attention to one another in public.
Then the trial started. The lawyers made their opening statements and Sandor felt his anger rising at the thought of why they were here in the first place. Then Sansa had gotten up and walked out of the room and Sandor followed. He sat with her outside the courtroom. He could not sit in there and hear what the cops and the doctors had seen and found out about Joffery or how he treated Sansa. Then it was her turn to testify. He could not go into the room and hear what had happened from Sansas own lips, but he forced himself to go in the room.
He stood by the door and saw Myrcella at the back sitting there all alone. Sandor made his way over to her and she looked up in shocked surprise. She was in a bad disguise and an even worse wig.
"What are you doing back here?" Sandor whispered to her.
"I wanted to be here to see what happened, but I didn't want my family to know. I am here to support Sansa. But despite what he did Joffery is still my brother. I had to see what happens to him." She whispered back.
Sandor nodded his head in understanding and stood in steely silence with Myrcella while Sansa told her story. Bile rose in his throat as Sansa described the night she was attacked. Then it was over and she was walking away from the stand. Sandor slipped out of the room and was standing under the large windows when she burst out of the doors. She stumbled over the trash can and threw up then was in his arms and he held her.
"It is alright Sansa. You are doing the right thing. This is the right thing." He whispered into her hair as he held her.
"It is over now. It is all over." Sandor kept repeating as he held her.
"What if they decide that he is not guilty? What if they let him off? I couldn't deal with that if they don't convict him. He needs to go away Sandor. He needs to be in jail."
"They will convict him don't worry about that sweetheart. They will get him." He kissed the top of her head.
"How do you know that? How can you be so sure?" She sounded despite for reassurance.
"I just know. And if they don't I know some people who would be glad to stomp the crap out of that worm."
Sansa chuckled and they walked away from the court room to get a cup of coffee to wait out the rest of the day's trial.
Myrcella
She had wanted to go to the trial, but had not wanted her family to see her. Her father had told her and Tommen that they could go, but he wanted them not to. He had heard about the confrontation with Cersie at the ice cream shop and had become over protective now. If she went anywhere without Aegon or were not out with Arya she had a bodyguard with her. She suspected that when she was followed even when she was with Aegon and her friends. She knew that her father's man was probably around watching her at that second as well, and she took comfort in that idea.
She was watching her mother's face during the trial and watched her get more and angrier with everything that was said against Joffery. Her grandfather was there and she couldn't help but notice the disgust that he had on his face about his grandson. And Jamie was there as well. He looked trapped and sad. She was beginning to realize that her uncle Jamie was a victim in the whole sorry affair. He might not have started out as one, but he was now trapped with Cersie weather he wanted to be or not.
She sat there for the entire day's trial of the persecution showing their case. Tomorrow would be the defenses turn to mount their case. The judge dismissed them for the day and Myrcella slipped out before the rest of the spectators.
She walked up to the third floor instead of going to the ground floor where she knew the press would be waiting to ambush anyone associated with the case. The names of Lannister, Stark and Baratheon had attracted the attention if the media.
"My dear, that wig looks horrible. You should take it off." A voice from behind her said.
Myrcella turned around and saw her uncle Tyrion standing beside a pillar.
"Hello uncle. What are you doing here?" She walked to him and embraced him, gaining strength and comfort from him.
"The same as you. I wanted to see what happens to Joffery. No matter what he has done he is still family. I am glad that you are here. I know what it is like to have family that you love, but cannot stand. We are the same that way you know. Walk with me Myrcella." Tyrion took her arm and linked his with hers. They started to wander around in silence.
"Uncle, I know it is true, science doesn't lie, but how could my mother and Jamie have a sexual relationship?" She had wanted to know the answer to that question from the moment that she had found out that they had had one.
"I think it started a long time ago. Your mother was always a loose young woman; she knew how to use her body to get what she wanted from a young age. I suspect that she first seduced Jamie when he was going to leave for the military academy when they were 14. Because after one night Jamie just decided not to go. And he has been trapped under her spell since then." Tyrion sighed.
She felt so bad for Jamie. She always knew that her mother had always been crazy. But knowing that she had seduced her twin brother when they were 14 made things seem worse somehow.
"I wish that we could save Jamie." Myrcella said.
"There is no saving him now. He is stuck and he knows it." Tyrion shook his head sadly.
"I bet Grandfather is not very happy with you." Myrcella said.
"He has never been happy with me. I am used to it. But I feel that your father is a better parent for you and Tommen then my dear sister. Now that Robert has cleaned up his act and is taking steps to make all your lives better I can see that there is a real future for you all as a family. And I am equally glad that he has decided to let his other son, Gendry into the family as well. Helen is good for him and you kids too. Maybe you and Tommy will know what a true family is for once in your lives." Tyrion smiled at her.
"I am very proud of Dad. He has come a long way. I know that Mr. Stark has had a lot to do with that change. I want to thank him; I just don't know how to do that."
"I think you have dear Myrcella. You befriended his daughter. Arya had not had many friends up North. You gave him something already. Something that he is grateful for. I would call you even. Now do you need a ride back to your house? I have a car out at the back of the court house that we can sneak into. That way we aren't bombarded by the press out front."
"That would be great Uncle." Myrcella and Tyrion made it to the elevators and waited for the doors to open.
"So do you think that they will convict Joffery?" Myrcella asked.
"I want them to. That boy needs to be held accountable for his actions. But I doubt that they will. I have a feeling that your mother bought the jury off." Tyrion said sadly.
"I hope that you are wrong. I really do. Mother wouldn't stoop that low."
"You know your mother and how she always had had a blind spot when your older brother was concerned." Tyrion shrugged his shoulders and stepped into the elevator. "We can only hope that the jury does the right thing."
Bran
Bran had decided to stay at the house with Mrs. Clark and Rickon instead of going to the trial. He had a massive headache and he felt so weak. His treatment had gone from every other week to once a week and Dr. Baelish had mentioned to adding another treatment of chemo a week. Bran was weak and sick and had not even been able to go to school since they had changed his treatment.
He was determined to talk with his parents that evening about getting a second opinion. He had done all the research and had found another neurologist in the area that sounded like she was competent and know what she was doing. He had even called and made an appointment to go in for an exam the following week. He had told Meera and Jojen that he had made that appointment and if his parents would not lessen to his plea to no longer see Dr. Baelish his friends were prepared to take him into the appointment.
His parents and sisters arrived at the house. Sandor was with them and Bran knew that at any moment Gendry would be arriving to be with Arya. His parents looked worn out, but he was determined to talk to them.
"Dad can I talk to you?" Bran walked over to his father as he started to enter into his study.
"Sure Bran." Ned motioned for him to follow. "You do not look so good son. How are you feeling?"
"Like shit to be honest. Dad I know that mom trust Dr. Baelish, but I don't feel like he knows what he is doing. I would like to have a second opinion. And before you say anything I have already found another doctor who I would like to have as a consult. I have already made an appointment to meet her. Her name is Dr. Osha and she is one of the top neurologist in the country. I need you on my side for this dad. Mom is not going to like this idea."
Ned sat on the edge of his desk and looked over at his son. Bran let his father take in how he looked. How thin he was now, how pale he was. He had lost his runners body and his skin had become as thin as paper. He let his father see the pain and how tired that he was. Bran usually hid that from his friends and family, but he wanted his father to see it for himself now.
"Okay Bran. I will back you in this Bran. I think that you are right and you need to have a second opinion. I never liked the idea of Baelish being your doctor and have told your mother that many times. I think that if we both bring this discomfort up to her she will not be able to tell you no."
"Thank you dad. I can't stand having to see that slimy dirt bags face again."
"Neither can I Bran. How about we go and tell your mother the news that her childhood friend is not the doctor for you."
Ned and Bran walked into the kitchen to find Catelyn telling Mrs. Clark about the trial so far.
"It is horrible. I wanted to kill the filthy spoiled shit. Hearing over and over again what he had done to my daughter made me want to kill him and that family of his."
"I bet dear. Let me make you some tea." Mrs. Clark bused herself with the tea kettle.
"Cat love, Bran and I have something to tell you. We have decided to have a consult with another neurologist. We already have an appointment scheduled for next week."
Catelyn looked at her son and husband with detached dead eyes. Bran figured that the trauma of the trail had sapped all the fight out of his mother.
"Do whatever you want to do. I am getting worried about you Bran dear. You should have a second opinion. We should have gotten you one long ago. Do you need me to come with you to this consultation?" Her voice was flat as she asked.
"No dear I am going to take him to this one. You can stay with Sansa. I have a feeling that she is going to need you this week." Ned put his hand on his wife's shoulder and gave her a fast kiss. They smiled at each other and then Mrs. Clark handed them all cups of tea.
Bran took his tea and went up to his room. He passed his sisters room and Sansa was watching a movie with Sandor and he heard music coming from Aryas closed door. They both must be wound up from the day's events. He walked into his room and sipped his tea as he lounged in his bed.
He sat there with his eyes closed and was relaxing. He wanted to sleep the day away. He never wanted to get out of bed. After the cup of tea he felt his stomach heave and he felt it coming up. He vomited and his eyes blurred over. He was always sick now. He was thankful that he was prepared and that the trash can was beside his bed as was a bottle of water and some saltine crackers. He reached for the water and rinsed his mouth out and took a cracker out of the pack and munched on it.
His phone started to ring and he knew that it was Meera calling to ask about Sansa.
"Bran are you alright? Have you talked to your parents about seeing the other doctor? I am worried about you." Meeras voice was concerned and Bran could not help but feel a tugging on his heart.
"I talked to them. My dad has backed me and my mom has agreed to it." Bran started to cough.
"Oh good Bran. Can I come over and talk? I need some advice on something and you are the only person that I can talk about this to."
"Sure. But be prepared that I do not look so good. I look like death warmed over."
"You could never look that bad Bran. I will be over in half an hour if that works for you."
"Sure. Just come on up to my room when you get here."
"Okay. See you soon. Bye." Meera hung up the phone and Bran sat on the bed bone tired.
He had not seen Meera since he had found out that she had gone out on a date. Jojen had been just as surprised as he had been when Bran had called and told him that Meera was on a date. Then Brans treatment had been upped and he had gotten sicker and sicker and had not been to school for the last two weeks. So Bran hoisted himself up and walked to the shower to try to look better for when Meera saw him.
Bran took the trash bag out of his garbage can and took it out to the large can in the back of the house. Mrs. Clark stopped him as he came in.
"Sick again dear? Do you want me to send you some ginger cookies? I know that they will make you feel better and get something in your system." Mrs. Clark's kind grandmotherly voice oozed over Brans headache.
"That would be great. Meera is coming over and I need to shower first, but if you want you can send them up with her."
"I can do that hon. Now go get cleaned up. Leave it to me dear."
Bran walked up the shower and stood there and the water felt so heavy on his skin. He felt like the cascading water was the weight of the world, and it was all pounding down on him. When had he become so weak? He was no longer the strong young man that he had started out as. Things had changed in ways that he would have never imagined.
Bran walked into his room and went to get dressed. He was saddened that he no longer had anything that fit him. His clothes hung off his thin frame and his hands shook as he buttoned his jeans and buckled the belt that he had to now wear. The tee shirt that he slipped over his head once was filled out with his lean runner's body, now it hung limp over his frame.
He looked at his reflection in the mirror and was shocked at how the purple circles under his eyes looked so dark against his pale skin and his once shiny hair was not brittle and dry. Looking at his reflection he no longer wanted Meera to see him. But it was too late now. So Bran settled onto his bed and waited for her to show up.
He didn't have to wait long. Soon there was a knock on the door and she entered the room with a tray of food.
"Mrs. Clark gave me this. She said to eat the broth and the ginger cookies. She also put some other things on it for you." Meera looked up from the tray and saw Bran for the first time. "Oh Bran." Her voice was barely above a whisper. Bran saw tears well in her eyes and he knew that she was feeling sorry for him now.
"Mrs. Clark always gives me to much food. But she tries." Bran smiled at her and Meera came into the room more.
Meera sat down on the bed next to him and set the food down on his bedside table. She just sat there looking at him. Bran felt his face flush and they sat in awkward silence. Bran was starting to feel uncomfortable so he reached for a cookie. It made his stomach feel slightly better, but it did nothing to stop the butterflies that Meeras close proximity created for him.
"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Bran broke the silence.
"I went out on a date two weeks ago with one of the guys from the play. He is really nice, but there is something missing. I can't really put my fingers on it, but I feel like you can help me with that." Meera looked deep into his eyes. She was pleading with him to have the answer, but how could he give her the one that she wanted?
"Um, well. Um you really like the guy right?"
"I do like him. He is nice and funny and is into theater like I am. But there is no excitement. I mean I feel that when I am with you. Things are never boring with you Bran." She smiled at him and his butterflies went into over drive.
"You should just date me then." Bran was half joking and half hoping that she would admit that liked him and would take him seriously.
"Yeah I should." Meera giggled. "So besides dating you what should I do?"
"You have two options. Continue dating this guy and hope that the spark evolves over time or you can dump him and go find that spark with someone else."
Meera looked down at the folded hands then looked over at him. Then she did the unexpected thing. She leaned over and placed a small kiss on his lips. He felt electricity shoot inside him and he felt his insides turn to mush. Her lips were cool against his hot skin of his lips. She pulled away from and looked at him with an unasked question in her eyes for him.
Bran just sat there with a large smile on his face. He was at a loss for words. Meera saw the look and started to chuckle at him.
"Well that was better then I expected. That is the feeling I want. What are you thinking?"
"I felt like there was sparks going all over my body. It was amazing." Bran couldn't stop smiling.
"I guess that I have a lot to think about. "
"I guess that you do."
"So enough about me, what about you? I am a little worried about you."
"I have treatment every week. It is taking its toll on me. But we have a new consult with a new doctor. I am really hoping that she can tell us something different." Bran was filled with optimism for the new possibilities that were shaping up for him now.
"I hope that Dr. Osha can give you some good news. I am really hoping that she really has good news. I don't know what I would do if you got sicker instead of better. I do not trust that doctor that is treating you Bran. Neither does Jojen. We both think that he is scamming you. He is doing something to keep your mother close. That is all I can think. You should be getting better, not sicker."
"I have only been in treatment for a few weeks now. It does take time you know Meera." Bran reached out and took her hand.
"I know. But I still do not have to like it." Her hand was cool in his and she looked at them. Then she placed her other hand on his face. Bran closed his eyes and leaned into her hand. "Bran you are really warm. Are you feeling okay?" Her voice was concerned.
"I feel warm and sick, but that is now the norm." He opened his eyes and they were glazed over.
Bran was suddenly overcome with wracking body shaking coughing. Meera handed him a handkerchief. His cough was wet and he doubled over. Meera reached out for the glass of water on the tray. When Bran sat up and pulled the handkerchief away from his face he noticed the pink color on it and tried to hide it from Meera but she was to fast for him and snatched it away from him. The color drained from her face and she stood up from the bed.
"Bran there is blood on this. Has this happened before and do not lie to me." She shook the hanky in front of his face. He cringed knowing that the answer that she wanted was not the one that he was going to be able to give.
"No it is not the first time."
"Do your parents know?" She demanded answers yet again.
"No. They have been preoccupied with Sansa and work. I didn't want to bother them with this." Bran looked away from her eyes.
"You have to tell them Bran. They would want to know. In fact I think that you should tell them now." She tried to take his hand and pull him to his feet but he would not budge from the spot. He had no energy after his coughing fit.
"I can't move Meera. Please don't pull me like that." Brans voice was weak and Meera stopped pulling him and stood there with her hands on her hips.
"Fine, but since you cannot move I am going to show this to your mom." And with that Meera turned on her heels and marched out of his room to find Catelyn.
Bran was reclining on his bed with his eyes closed when Meera and his mother entered. He cracked his right eye opened and spotted his mother's face. It was ashen and she looked stricken.
"Meera just showed me this Bran. How long have you been coughing up blood?" Catelyn's voice was soft and she tried to keep her eyes calm and loving, but there was tension radiation off her.
"Since I stated the weekly treatments."
"Why haven't you told me this before Bran?"
"Because you were busy with Sansa." His voice was soft and he felt his guilt over take him.
"That should not have stopped you Bran. I am concerned about all of my children. Bran this is something that you need to tell Dr. Baelish."
"I don't trust him mom. You know that. I will tell the new doctor when dad and I go in and meet with her."
Catelyn wrung her hands as she looked at him. She had the sort of look on her face that Bran knew all to well. She was thinking like an over protective mom and Bran steeled himself for her proposition.
"I think I might take you into the ER Bran. I am worried about that cough and the weight loss and the amount you have been vomiting. The blood is just the last straw." Catelyn turned to Meera and smiled at her. "Thank you Meera for telling me about this. Bran would not have told me until he was dying."
"No problem Mrs. Stark. I do not want to see Bran get worse. Let's hope that they can find out what is going on and fix him up soon."
"Get your coat on Bran. We are heading over to the hospital." Catelyn's voice was full of authority and Bran could not argue with her, even if he wanted to.
Gendry
Gendry had been told by his mom that his father was none other then Robert Baratheon. He had been shocked and angry. Arya had been there to help him deal with the shock of the news. His biggest issue was the idea that he would be related to Joffery. Then a miracle happened, they told him that Joffery was not Roberts son. That made things easier for him.
The best part of this whole new thing was that his mother and Robert had started dating and he had heard the story of how they met and what had happened to them. His mother had apparently been in love with Robert and had been there for him when his first love had died. He was slightly shocked to hear that Robert had been in love with Jon's mother, but decided to drop the issue for the time being. They had been together dating for three months when Cersie Lannister had seduced him and then claimed that she was pregnant, effectively breaking his parents apart, because at the time Robert had the conviction to do the right thing. So he had married Cersie and broken things off with Gendrys mother.
Six weeks after the break up Helen Waters had found out she was pregnant and she had decided that she could not tell Robert. He was already saddled with one unwanted pregnancy she didn't want to add to his stress. So she had kept Gendry a secret from Robert. It wasn't until Robert had sobered out and started to take note of the things around him did he realize that Gendry was the son of his college love and that he had a striking resemblance to the Baratheon family line. Robert had confronted Helen and she had admitted that Gendry was in fact his son. Both Gendry and Robert were both angered and outraged that she had let them be in one another's lives in a fringe capacity for many years, but had never told them who they were to one another.
But once she had explained that she had tried to see Robert when Gendry was three and in the same preschool as Joffery Cersie had stopped her and told Helen that Robert had no need for the bastard child from a youthful indiscretion. When Robert had heard that he had gone into a rage.
"That bitch knew I had a son and she never told me! I will kill her! I will wring her fucking neck!" Robert had yelled."
It had taken Helen half an hour to calm Robert down and convince him that drinking was not the answer. Myrcella had been in the room with them as Robert and Helen told their stories. She had been sitting on a straight backed chair and had cringed as her father started his rage. After Robert had calmed down she had gotten up and sat by Gendry.
"I have never seen anyone handle my father, I mean our father that way." She had smiled at him as they spoke. "Your mother is an amazing woman. I wish that she could have been my mother."
"Well we can always pull a parent trap scheme and have the two of them get married." Gendry smiled over at her then and shared a gleeful look.
They had all but moved into the Red Keep with the Baratheons. Robert had been very generous as well and given them something that he had called "Making up money".
"I missed almost 18 years of your life. And your mother had to do it all on her own. Giving this to you is the least I can do." Robert had said as he had handed Gendry the check of 100,000 dollars.
In the weeks that had followed Gendry had had to fight not to spend the money on everything, despite Robert telling him that there was more if he ever needed it. But one thing that he did splurge on was a three day car show all access passes for himself and Arya. He also got one for Myrcella and Aegon as well.
It was the first day of the rape trial against Joffery and he had decided to spend the day with his father. He had wanted to go and be there for Arya but she had told him that she needed to be there for her sister and that he would distract her. So Gendry had made his way over to his father's house to spend the day with him.
He had knocked on the door and Robert had answered it himself.
"There you are my boy!" Robert boomed as he enveloped Gendry in a hug.
Gendry hugged him back and patted him on the back. They broke apart and had identical smiles on their faces. Now that Gendry was looking he saw the similarities between the two of them. They had the same colored eyes, the same colored hair and the same body build. Gendry had felt slightly stupid that he had seen Robert for many years and had never noticed that they looked so much alike.
"Hi Robert."
"How many times have I told you to call me dad?" Robert scowled. Then his face broke out in a smile.
"Just about every day since we found out that you are my father." Gendry smiled back.
"Come on in. Now there are some things that I want to discuss with you. Come into my study." Robert led Gendry into the study and they sat down by the fire place. Gendry remembered once being in here to get paid for the gig that he and the guys had performed for the Baratheons. There was once a picture of the happy Baratheon family above it, now there was a painting of a stag in the forest.
"Now son I would really like to make you my son in the eyes of the law. I would like to claim you and have you take my last name." Roberts eyes were serious.
"That would be nice sir, I mean dad. But I wouldn't want to throw away my mom's name." Gendry said evenly.
"Well as soon as I am no longer attached to the bitch I would want to ask her to marry me. Then you both would have my name, like it should have been all along."
"I would like that dad. I would like that a lot. And I know that mom would most likely say yes if you ask her to marry you."
"Good. Now onto the father son bonding."
For the rest of the day they messed around with guitars and were making music together. Gendry had been pleased to learn that he got his musical ability from his father and that they could have fun jamming with one another. They had been teaching Tommen how to play and the kid was starting to really enjoy it. Gendry had always wanted a family and this was the best thing in the world to him.
It was almost evening when he got a text from Arya asking him if he could come over. He told Robert and Tommen that he had to go and he was given a hard time from Tommen about rushing out to spend time with a girl. Gendry had smiled and given the younger boy a tickle attack making the young boy squeal and wiggle away. Robert had stood there and smiled as he watched his two son's horse around. Gendry always wanted siblings and now that he had them he loved every moment of it. Tommen was the coolest kid in the world and he was glad that nothing ever had happened between him and Myrcella.
He got to the Starks house and was let in by Mrs. Clark. She handed him a tray of brownies and milk to take with him on his way up to Aryas room. He had to smile at the plump old lady who was always cooking and feeding people. Gendry walked up the stairs to Aryas room and knocked on the door with his elbow.
"Arya open up the door. Mrs. Clark has loaded us up with stuff. I don't have any hands."
Arya opened the door and he walked in placing the tray on the desk. He kissed her after he had put the tray down. He loved the first kiss of the day with Arya. It was always like Christmas to him, getting that first kiss from her after being apart from her.
"Hey there. How are you feeling after the day in court?" Gendry asked.
"It was tough. I don't think I can do this again, but I told Sansa I would be there for her. She couldn't be there to watch it. I have to be there to let her know what is going on." She said into his chest.
"You are a great sister Arya." Gendry kissed her head and they smiled at one another.
"So how was your day with your dad?" She asked as they sat down on her bed and snuggled together.
"It was cool. We played music and joked and taught Tommen some cords. He asked me to change my name and if he could marry my mom. I said yes that I would change my name and that I think my mom would marry him." Gendry couldn't help but smile as he talked.
"That is great Gendry. I am so happy for you." Arya said as she kissed his cheek.
"Want to go watch a movie on the big TV? Or we can just stay here and snuggle."
"I am emotionally drained. Can we just stay on my bed and cuddle? That sounds really great to me."
"Sure. Whatever you want." They put a movie into the disk drive of her computer and munched on brownies together.
In Gendrys mind this was the perfect way to and a great day for him and a challenging day for Arya.
-So this one took while to think up. I tried to make the scene with Sansa on the stand believable and dramatic, but I didn't want to be overly technical or delve to far deep into the jargon, but I did find out that in the state of California what happened to Sansa is in fact a crime. But the sad part is that many of the people who have to endure that kind of assault do not come forward that often. It made me feel happy to have Sansa case go to court in the story because I know that not many of them do in reality.
I know that I have said this a few times before but I do not know when I will be able to post next. I have been playing the waiting game with my little boxer so I was able to post this update and I have the outline of the next chapter done, but I have not started on it yet. We have the results from the trial coming up and more with Bran as well.
I hope that you enjoyed this. If you want to send me a review that would be great. I love hearing from you guys and I am glad that I still have you readers. Lots of love and thanks.