A/N – Here's the next chapter. We're back to Arya x Gendry. Thanks for reading!

"I'm going to kill him," Arya says as soon as Sansa opens her apartment door. "I'm actually going to kill him."

There are fresh bruises on Sansa's soft skin and even a small, jagged cut across her temple. The sight makes Arya's fists curl with anger. She's tempted to turn around, track Joffrey down, and, "Beat the living shit out of him."

"Arya, please don't." Sansa takes her sister's hand and squeezes it gently. "Come inside. There's a lot I need to talk to you about."

"He can't keep hurting you like this. It's not worth it."

"I'm getting stronger. Trust me. I'm not the only one with cuts and bruises this time. Joffrey will think twice before touching me again."

"Yeah?" Arya crosses her arms. "What if he thinks twice and then does it anyways? It's not worth it. It's not. You could get seriously hurt. And I'm not about to let you fucking sacrifice yourself again and again."

"I won't have to. It'll only be a little bit longer now. That's what I wanted to talk to you about." Sansa moves towards her bedroom, and a minute later, she comes back with a thin manila folder. She offers the file to Arya. "Take a look and tell me what you think."

Arya moves towards the couch and sits down. She opens the file and glances at the memos. Her eyes catch words like "cover-up" "fatal" and "bribe." Arya looks up at her sister, a smile curling to her lips. "Sansa, is that what I think it is?"

Sansa nods. She's smiling too. "It's proof that the Baratheons are horrible people. Dangerous people."

"How did you get this?"

"I snuck into the office when you were racing Joffrey. I had to pick the lock the Robert's desk, and this was the only thing inside."

"The only thing?"

"Yes. Why?"

Arya's stomach tightens. She looks at the memos one last time and then passes the file back to Sansa. "You need to put this back. Right away."

"Why?"

"The Baratheons aren't that stupid, Sansa. You said there was only one file in that desk. Don't you think someone will notice that its gone missing?"

"But-"

"The Baratheons are stronger than us, as much as I hate to admit it. They have more power and more money. The only advantage we have is the element of surprise. If they realize a file like this is missing, they're going to get suspicious fast. So make a copy of these memos and put the folder back. Tonight if possible."

The color seems to have drained from Sansa's face. She takes the file back with shaking hands. "I didn't even think of that. How could I be so stupid?" She pauses. "But what about Joffrey?"

"What about him?"

"He works late all the time. What if he's at the office tonight?"

Arya bites the bottom of her lip. She already pissed off Joffrey this week. Why not do it again? It couldn't possibly make things worse. "I'll take care of Joffrey," Arya assures her sister. "He'll be out of the office by eight, all right?"

Sansa nods her head, looking a little relieved. "All right. Thank you, Arya."

"There's something else I need to tell you."

"What?"

Might as well just come out and say it.

"Tyrion knows who I am."

"What?" Sansa asks, completely shocked. "How?"

Arya shrugs his shoulders. "He's smart. Probably smarter than us. That's why we have to be extra careful." Arya sighs and looks up at her sister. "He doesn't know what we're up to. He's suspicious, but I've told him I'm just here to race, and he doesn't know anything besides that. But we're going to have to watch our steps from now on, all right? If he finds out that we're trying to fuck with his family, well, I just can't see that ending well."

"Neither can I."

"So just be careful, all right? Watch your steps and try to act normal."

Sansa nods. "I will."

Arya glances at her sister's bruises once more, and her voice hardens. "And don't you dare let him hit you again."

"I won't. Trust me. Sandor has been working with me every day."

"Every day?" Arya swears a light blush has risen to her sister's cheeks. "I can't imagine working with that monster every day, but if he's teaching you to fight, I guess it's for the best."

"He's not a monster," Sansa says quickly, her voice higher than before. She looks down as if embarrassed. "He's a good man. Having scars doesn't make him a monster."

Something about the sound of Sansa's voice, the look in her eyes, makes Arya suspicious. "Sansa, are you-"

"Am I what?" She snaps.

Arya looks at her sister's heated gaze. "Never mind," she says slowly. "I'll see you later. Be safe tonight, and let me know how it goes."

Sansa seems relieved to drop the subject. She smiles, even though it looks a bit strained. "I will. You be safe too. I love you."

Arya nods. "We're family. Just remember that, and we'll be stronger than everyone."

Gendry is bent over the hood of a car when Arya enters the shop. His head is obscured, and he's intently concentrating on his work. Arya takes a moment to appreciate the view, eyes tracing over his long arms, the way his shirt pulls against the tight muscles in his shoulders. Her mind flashes back to earlier that day, how he used those same strong arms to pin her against the bed and-

Suddenly, Gendry stands up, catching Arya staring at him with a flushed face. "Enjoying the view?" He smirks.

"Better than looking at that ugly mug."

"You're so cute when you lie." Gendry puts down his wrench and wipes his greased hands on the front of his jeans. Arya bites her lip and looks away for a second. Ever since they slept together, she's been having trouble keeping her desire under control. Everything Gendry does seems to turn her on, and it's starting to drive her crazy. She has more important things to think about than that damn dimple under the corner of his lip.

"I'm sure," Arya responds. "I didn't come here to flirt, sorry to disappoint."

Gendry raises an eyebrow. "Oh, so you just wanted to get right to it then? You know, I've never had sex in my office, but if you're up for it-"

Arya's face starts flushing, but she tries to ignore it. "That's not what I meant either. I need your help with something."

Gendry takes a few steps towards Arya so that he's standing in front of her. He grabs her belt and tugs it so that Arya is pull forward. She can feel the heat of his body. She wants to move closer, wants to close the tiny gap left between them. Gendry leans down and brushes his lips against his ear. "I'd love to help you with something," he says. His low voice ignites raw desire within Arya. "I'm very talented."

Arya has to take a steadying breath. She did not come here for this. She doesn't have time for this. But her body doesn't want to listen. She lets out a soft moan as Gendry's teeth scrape against her jaw. His soft lips trail down her neck, and she steps forward, pressing her body against his as he starts to lightly suck on the sensitive skin. She can already feel his arousal hard against her. "Well fuck me," Arya mutters.

Gendry smiles. "Okay."

"That's not what I meant-"

Before Arya can finish her thought, Gendry bends forward and captures her lips. The kiss is long and punishing. His soft, warm lips move against her own, and she gasps as he slips his tongue inside her mouth. Her entire body responds, and she clings to Gendry's strong frame, arms wrapping around his broad shoulders and hands clutching the material of his shirt. The kiss is desperate and consuming. It feels like they've been apart for weeks even though she saw him just hours ago.

She can feel herself giving in entirely. Maybe she'll just let this happen, and then she can worry about Joffrey. Maybe she'll just-

No. She can't.

It takes all her willpower to pull away from Gendry's lips. She unwraps her arms and takes a step back, immediately regretting the decision even though it's the right thing to do. "Gendry," she says slowly, trying to calm her thoughts.

"What?" His voice is low. He's breathing heavily, and his blue eyes are hard and filled with lust.

This is so not fair, Arya thinks.

"I don't have time for this. I need your help, and this is not what I meant by help."

Gendry smirks. "Well maybe you should be more clear next time. Just so you know, for the future, this is what I'm going to assume you're talking about."

Arya wants to tell him to get his mind out of the gutter, but she was thinking about the same thing the second she saw him. "Okay, but for now, I need help with Joffrey."

"Now that's a good way to kill the mood." Gendry sighs. He tucks his hands in the pockets of his jeans and looks down at Arya. "What is it this time?"

Arya still hasn't told Gendry about Sansa's plan to bring down the Baratheon's. It's too much of a risk. Gendry hates his father, but does he hate him enough to ruin his entire life? What if Arya tells Gendry the plan and he starts to work against her? She wants to trust him. She does trust him. But she knows trust is a dangerous game, and she doesn't want to play with her luck.

"I need more money," Arya lies.

Gendry looks skeptical. "For what? You just won three thousand dollars."

"That won't last me long between rent and car repairs and bets. You know I, uh, appreciate what you've done for me, but I can't keep living off your charity. I never even paid you for introducing me to the circuit."

"You don't have to pay me for that. Don't be silly."

Arya sighs. Of course this can't just be easy. Sometimes she forgets how stubborn Gendry can be. "Look. I just need the money, all right? But the problem is, I don't think Joffrey will race me again. Not after I beat him."

"So?"

"So you've known him longer than me. You know how he works. What would entice him?"

Gendry runs a hand through his thick hair. His face is drawn as he thinks. Finally, he says, "Joffrey is a spectator. He likes to be entertained, and he likes danger. So you'll need to do something different, something stupid enough to get his attention."

"Like what?"

"I don't know. You could race through the actual city. That'd be a risk because a cop could pull-" Arya starts smiling, and Gendry immediately stops talking. His face pales. "Fuck. I did not just suggest that." Gendry steps forward and places his hands on Arya's shoulders. He looks her in the eyes. "Arya. Do not- I repeat. Do not go race through the city. That is a really dumb fucking idea. Please forget I mentioned it."

But Arya's mind is already racing. The idea is perfect. It's stupid and dangerous and definitely entertaining. And Arya knows the perfect racer to compete against.

Gendry groans and rubs a hand over his face. "I'm a complete idiot."

Arya smirks. "At least you have your beauty." She reaches up on her tiptoes and kisses Gendry quickly on the cheek. "I'll see you later, Gendry. Thanks for the help."

Arya turns around and starts walking towards the door, but Gendry calls out, "Wait!"

She looks behind her. "What?"

"Can I at least come with you? I can't see Joffrey taking you to the hospital or bailing you out of jail if you fuck this up."

Arya bites her lip, thinking. Joffrey is already suspicious of how close she is with Gendry. And the game is really up if Tyrion tells his nephew what he knows. She doesn't want to risk getting Gendry any further into this mess. He doesn't need to get in trouble because of her own family problems.

"I don't think so," she finally responds.

"Why not?"

Arya shrugs her shoulders. "I need to do this on my own." Hurt flickers through Gendry's eyes, but there's not much Arya can do about that. She can't explain her reasoning to him because he would just get all stubborn and say he doesn't care if he gets in trouble. "I'll call you when I'm done, okay?"

"Fine." His voice is low and clipped. "Fine."

"Nymeria, come!" Arya whistles. She watches as her dog pokes its head out of the trees and then comes bounding back to her. "Good girl," Arya says, smiling, as she rubs Nymeria's soft fur. She hugs the dog tightly and buries her head in its thick coat. "Good girl," she repeats.

Arya feels bad. She hasn't had much time to spend with Nymeria since leaving home, and her dog is probably lonely without its siblings. "All this will be over soon," Arya says. "And then we'll have plenty of time together, all right?"

Nymeria barks and rubs her wet, rough tongue against the side of Arya's face. Arya laughs. "Good girl, good girl."

She's staying in a new motel now, a bit nicer than the last place. Three thousand dollars is a pretty huge hunk of money, but it won't last long if she keeps betting it. Still, Arya couldn't help but splurge a little bit. She bought a few new pairs of shorts and a couple of tanks, plus some dark blue converse. Arya was never much of a shopper, but her heavy clothes from back home aren't very comfortable in the California heat.

Arya glances at the clock on the bedside table. It's already six o'clock. It's time to make the call. She picks up her cell phone and dials Joffrey's number.

He picks up on the first ring.

"Cat," he says, voice cut and sharp.

"Joffrey." Arya continues to pet Nymeria as she speaks, hoping it'll soothe her nerves. "I have a proposition for you."

There's a long pause. "Continue."

"I'd like to challenge your hound to a race."

"If you want to race my hound, we already have a match this Friday."

"No, I want to challenge him alone, and I want it to be a street race. Through the city. Just us two. We'll each put a thousand dollars in the pot, and the winner takes it all. And it has to be tonight."

"Through the city?"

"Yes."

There's another long pause, and Arya can feel her pulse racing. There's no plan B if this goes wrong. She just has to hope that Joffrey will take the bait.

"Why tonight?" Joffrey asks.

Fuck. Think of something. "It's my birthday," Arya lies. "Beating your racer and taking your money would be a great present."

"You might end up spending your birthday in jail, little cat."

"I like taking risks."

"All right then," Joffrey says slowly. "But I map out the route, and the price is two thousand each, not a thousand."

That'll leave me almost broke again if I lose. "Fine," Arya responds. "Eight o'clock sound all right?"

"So early? The streets won't be empty."

"I told you. I like taking risks."

She can practically feel Joffrey grinning on the other end of the line. She's done it. She's propositioned something stupid enough to get his attention. "Eight o'clock it is. I'll see you tonight, Cat."

Arya smiles. "Looking forward to it."

A/N – Hope you all liked the chapter. I was going to put the race in it, but it would have gotten too long, so we'll probably have another arya x gendry next chapter.

Thank you for reading and reviewing! You guys are pretty amazing :)