Thank you so much for continuing to read and review, especially now that I'm at the point of the story that has completely diverted from the book and I'm on my own in terms of the plotline. This chapter's a bit of a filler chapter, leading up to what comes next.

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Chapter 50

After Sansa was settled, Jaime spent the rest of the day alone in his solar. He decided it was best if he remained locked away from everyone, creating the impression that he was too grief-stricken to see anyone or leave the rooms where Sansa's body – and the baby's - lay. The Maester had come by, determined to see Sansa's body, but Ser Addam had been most insistent that Jaime did not wish for anyone to have admittance. He had convinced the old man to give Jaime a few days alone with his grief.

Jaime felt guilty deceiving his staff. He knew many had come to care for Sansa very much. But he couldn't risk Cersei learning that her plan had failed. Lady Alys and her husband had tried to speak to Jaime, but he'd told his guards not to allow anyone in to see him – including them. He wasn't certain that he would be able to keep up the pretense of Sansa being dead if he saw the grief in their eyes. And he knew it was necessary that everyone believe Sansa was dead. He couldn't risk an inadvertent comment getting back to Cersei.

He'd left it to Ser Addam to question Sansa's guards, once they awoke from being drugged. They had said that Cersei's assassin, Lefford, had told them he'd arrived late in the night with a message for Lord Lannister from the Capitol. And he'd offered them a skin of fine Dornish red from King's Landing, sitting with them and catching up while they drank it. The next thing they remembered was being roused by Ser Addam. It did not appear that they were part of any plot, and Ser Addam told Jaime that they appeared genuinely grieved to learn of the "death" of Lady Sansa and her baby. Jaime was satisfied that Sansa's guards were not a part of any plot to harm her.

Ser Addam continued questioning the staff, to see if anyone aroused his suspicions while Jaime waited. The longer he was alone with his thoughts, waiting for Cersei to arrive, the more he thought about his sister and how they had gotten to this point.

Jaime had always loved Cersei, ever since he was very small. It had begun as a brotherly love but gradually, after their mother had died and he sought more comfort from Cersei, their relationship had changed. Jaime had begun to feel a consuming passion for her that had pushed aside all others in his life. And his feelings for Cersei only became more intense, as she became his whole world.

He remembered when she had come to him to convince him to join the Kingsguard. She had come up with the idea to keep him from marrying Lysa Tully. She had said joining the Kingsguard would allow them to always be together. She had said that she loved him too much to be parted from him. Jaime had believed every word she said then, but now he wondered. He wondered if her intention was to prevent him from having a family of his own. So he wouldn't come to care for another woman more than her. So that he wouldn't have children that he would put above his twin. Cersei had engineered everything so that Jaime had only her.

Jaime realized that he was nothing more than a pawn. He was simply another man to lead around by the cock, to do her bidding. He was no different than that soldier she had convinced to kill Sansa by using her body to keep him under her spell. Making him believe that he loved her so that he would do anything she asked. Jaime was finally able to admit to himself that Cersei had taken him into her bed not because she loved him, but to control him. If she couldn't be Tywin Lannister's heir herself, then she would exert complete control over his heir.

Cersei had taken every bit of his life for herself, until Sansa. Sansa, who truly loved him and gave him a life of his own and a child he could love. For the first time in years and years, he wasn't alone. And Cersei had tried to take her away. She'd sent one of her many lovers to kill and brutalize his sweet wife and their newborn babe. She'd planned to take everything away from him – again - so that he'd be alone and vulnerable to her control once more. Jaime took a deep breath, reminding himself that she had failed. Sansa's safe. No one can harm her now.

Jaime couldn't help feeling guilty every time he thought of seeing Sansa's broken body on the ground, and the marks on her neck. It was his fault that Sansa had nearly died. It was his fault that Sansa had nearly been deprived of seeing their daughter grow up. It wasn't only Cersei who was to blame for the situation they were in. Jaime knew that he should have put an end to his relationship with Cersei long ago. It was his fault that Cersei thought she could gain something from Sansa's death.

Jaime was supposed to protect Sansa. When he put that red cloak of House Lannister around her shoulders, he had promised to protect her from anyone who would dare harm her. He had sworn to her that she was safe at the Rock. And he had failed her. Yet another broken vow. If she or Julianna had died, Jaime would never have forgiven himself. If they had died, he would have had nothing left to live for. He understood what his father must have felt when his mother died. Jaime he imagined he would have turned just as hard and cold as Lord Tywin had.

Sansa and the babe were now safely locked away, entrusted to the care and protection of Pia and Gendry, two people he knew had no connection to Cersei. Jaime knew he was placing a lot of trust in the two of them, but they were two of the few people at the Rock that had no association with Cersei. He trusted Pia with Sansa and his daughter – she'd more than proven her loyalty to him and to Sansa. And Jaime had gotten to know Gendry because of the time he spent with Arya. Jaime saw that the boy had honor. And he cared for Arya, which told Jaime that he would not allow harm to come to her sister. The staff wasn't likely to miss either of them as they spent time hidden away with Sansa.

Arya had insisted on staying with her sister for as long as she could without arousing suspicion, and Sansa had looked at him pleadingly, very much wishing for her little sister's company. Jaime had agreed that she could stay with Sansa for a few hours, though she would eventually have to be smuggled out, past Jaime's own guards. He supposed Arya would have to go back into the hidden rooms with Sansa once Cersei arrived – she couldn't see the girl there, or she might demand her as a prisoner.

Jaime's thoughts were interrupted when he heard a woman's voice demanding entrance to his solar. As her voice grew louder, he recognized it as Lady Catelyn. He couldn't make out what exactly she was yelling about, though she was clearly upset. He opened the door and looked at his guards in annoyance. "Let her in," he huffed, returning to his seat.

Only Pia and Ser Addam had been allowed entrance to his solar all day, though Pia was actually bringing food for Sansa, not him. Jaime noticed that Edmure followed Lady Catelyn into the solar and closed the door behind them. "Mother Stark, what brings you here this evening?" he asked, leaning back in his chair.

"Where is Sansa? Where is my daughter?" Jaime looked at Edmure, annoyed that he may have told his sister about the attempt on Sansa's life, after Jaime had been clear about his intentions. "I heard the servants whispering," she continued, her voice breaking. "They spoke of Sansa and her child being dead…murdered by Stannis Baratheon's assassin."

Edmure met Jaime's gaze and he knew the younger man wanted to reassure his sister that Sansa had not been harmed, though he had apparently not violated Jaime's confidence. Jaime should have realized the staff would be gossiping and that Lady Catelyn would hear that her daughter was dead. I suppose the woman has the right to know that her daughter hasn't been murdered.

Before Jaime could speak, Lady Catelyn lunged toward him and Edmure grabbed her around the waist, holding her back as she began to scream at him. "You're supposed to protect Sansa! How could you allow someone to harm her? I had thought you would at least protect the mother of your child! I want to see her."

Jaime could see that she was terrified that Sansa was dead. Like her three sons. "You must lower your voice," Jaime ground out.

"No. Tell me what happened to my daughter. How could you allow this to happen?"

"Cat, listen to him," Edmure whispered in her ear as she began to cry. "Sansa's life depends on it."

"She's still alive?" she whispered, not daring to hope.

"Yes," Jaime said quietly. "But no one outside of this room can know that. If anyone finds out she lives…"

"Did someone hurt her?"

"An assassin was sent. He failed. Arya walked in on him as tried to squeeze the life from her. And he told Sansa that he'd kill the babe as well."

"Stannis would not kill Sansa like that. He'd kill you," she snarled. "Who would want to kill Sansa? Who would want to kill a baby?" Her eyes narrowed. "Your sister did this." Jaime was surprised she came to the correct conclusion so quickly. "What's to stop her from trying again?"

Jaime poured himself a cup of wine, to dull his racing mind. "That's why no one must know that Sansa is alive. Cersei must believe that she is dead. I will deal with my sister before she has the chance to harm Sansa again."

"I want to see Sansa."

"No. I won't risk it. You must leave here and keep to yourself. You must speak nothing of Sansa being alive."

"How do I know you aren't lying? How do I know she's not dead?"

"I've seen her, Cat. She's fine. A bit shaken, a few bruises, but she's well. The babe was unharmed." Edmure spoke up, squeezing her shoulders. "Arya's with her now. She's not alone. Jaime is doing everything possible to see to her safety. You need to trust him."

Lady Catelyn's eyes flashed. "After all you've done – after all that the Lannisters have done to hurt my family – how can either of you ask me to trust him with my daughter's life?"

"I love Sansa. Whatever you think of me, I love her. I won't allow anyone to hurt her."

"You have already allowed her to be hurt," she hissed. "You were supposed to protect her and your sister nearly killed her. Now she has to hide in her own home."

Jaime nodded, taking a large gulp of wine. He didn't need Catelyn Stark to tell him that he'd failed in his duty to protect Sansa. He was well aware and the guilt was eating at him. He knew it was his fault that Cersei wanted Sansa and Julianna dead. It was his weakness, his depravity, that was endangering Sansa and their child.

"I would never allow anyone – no matter who they are – to harm her. I swear to you. I will not allow my sister to hurt Sansa or my daughter again."

He could see that she wanted to trust him. Though, he supposed he was her only option. He could see that Lady Catelyn knew he loved Sansa, despite her personal feelings for him. "You must stop the queen. My daughter has insisted you will protect her. Prove her correct. I can't lose another child," she whispered.

"You won't. I swear to you, no one will harm Sansa." Jaime knew what needed to be done. This was one vow that he would not break. Sansa and their babe were everything to him. He had no intention of allowing Cersei to hurt either one of them. No matter what it might cost him.

….

Sansa was curled up on the bed in the small room Jaime had put her in after she'd nearly lost her life. Arya had left several hours ago and Sansa was now alone with her baby. Julianna was suckling happily at her breast. Sansa felt tears form in her eyes as she thought about how she'd nearly died. She realized how much dying would have cost her. She would never have seen Jaime again, or held this tiny little creature in her arms again. She ran her fingers over the soft strands of red hair covering Julianna's head.

"I love you," she whispered to the babe. She quietly sang a song to Julianna, until she fell asleep. Sansa put her in the little basket she slept in, absently running her fingers over her tiny arm. Both to comfort the infant and to comfort herself.

Sansa didn't understand why anyone would want to kill her and her baby. Julianna was so innocent. She was barely more than two weeks old. Why would anyone insist upon killing her?

Sansa heard the sound of the chamber door opening and Jaime entered, bolting the door behind him, resting his back against the door and exhaling deeply. He looked at Sansa and she could see anguish in his expression. She wondered if something else had happened. She saw his eyes moving over her neck as he walked towards her. She had seen the marks on her neck from the man's fingers and she knew they must be worse now that some time had passed.

Jaime walked over to the bed and looked down at the sleeping infant before returning his eyes to Sansa. "Are you all right?" he asked quietly, his fingers skimming over her throat.

She nodded. "It's easier to breathe. And talk."

He shakily sat down on the bed. "I'm sorry I failed you," he whispered, taking her hand in his own.

"How did you fail me?"

"I promised to protect you – I promised that no one would ever harm you. And I failed. You were…almost murdered here in our home…and it's my fault."

Sansa moved closer to him, and rested her hands on his shoulders. "Jaime, it's not your fault."

He looked again at the marks on her neck. "When I saw you, crumpled on the floor, not moving…" he trailed off, unable to finish his thoughts and she saw now how emotional he was about what had happened. He had seemed so in control before, giving orders and making plans to protect she and Julianna, but now she saw that he was not completely in control. She saw that he was very much affected by her nearly being killed.

"I'm all right," she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Jaime gripped her tightly and she could feel his terror, which scared her more than anything. "I'd have nothing without you, Sansa. If you had…if you had died…I may as well have died, too." Sansa smoothed her hands over his back, trying to comfort him, as his breath came in shaky gasps. "No one will harm you, Sansa. I promise…this will not happen again."

She kissed him softly. "Do you know who…who sent him?" she whispered.

He released her, looking at Julianna before meeting her eyes, a shamed expression on his face. "Cersei," he whispered. "She won't do it again." Sansa wasn't truly surprised to hear that Cersei was the one behind trying to kill her. But she understood now why Jaime was taking it to heart – it was because of his relationship with his sister that she was now targeting Sansa.

"How do you know she won't try again?"

"I promise you, I will protect you. We had a raven from King's Landing early this afternoon. Cersei travels here as we speak. She was notified of your death. And of the babe's death."

Sansa's eyes widened. "What do you mean? My death?"

"She believes you are dead and now she travels here…to console me, no doubt. As I knew she would." Sansa felt angry at the thought of Cersei coming to the Rock to comfort Jaime. Why won't she just accept that he's mine now?

"What are you going to do?"

"Don't waste your energy worrying about her, sweet girl. I'll take care of it. She'll not harm you again. You and the little lioness will have to stay in here until she leaves. No one can know that you live. Word might get back to Cersei. It's soundproof in here, so no one will hear if the babe cries. Gendry will be just outside there at all times, guarding you. He's there now. Arya can stay in here with you as well, if you like, once Cersei arrives. Your mother…she heard the servants talking and was very worried –"

"She's doesn't believe I'm dead, does she?"

"No. I told her you're safe."

"Can…can you stay with us here, tonight?" She felt her eyes filling with tears and cursed her weakness. After coming so close to dying – and never being able to feel Jaime's arms around her again – Sansa wanted nothing more than to sleep in his arms.

"Nothing could keep me from my girls tonight," he whispered, wiping the tears from her eyes.

Sansa smiled and kissed him, slowly moving her mouth over Jaime's and was surprised by the passion and aggression with which Jaime returned her kiss. She rested her hands on the side of his face, as he kissed her.

"I don't think I realized how lost I would be without you," he whispered. They continued kissing, and Jaime gripped her hips, pulling her towards him. "You're truly everything to me, Sansa." She sensed they were getting too heated as he began pulling at her clothes. She could tell that he wanted to make love to her.

"Jaime," she whispered, a smile in her voice, "You know we can't. It's still too soon after," she looked over at the sleeping infant in the basket beside her.

He exhaled deeply in frustration, kissing her forehead as he tried to calm his passion. She ran her hands over his hair and over his shoulders, just holding him, until he sighed and stood up. She watched as Jaime took off his clothes and lifted the sleeping babe from her little bed, placing the basket on the floor before climbing into bed beside Sansa. She could see the emotion on his face as he looked at their baby. He gently kissed her forehead, before he laid back against the pillows, cuddling their daughter against his bare chest. She squeaked and nuzzled her head against him before falling back to sleep.

Now that she saw how emotional he was, she knew that, had Cersei succeeded in having her killed, Jaime would have been absolutely broken. Sansa curled up against Jaime and rested her hand atop his, beside the baby. We can't ever be separated. Not ever. "I love you, Jaime."

"I love you, too, Sansa. The two of you are my whole world," he whispered. "And I swear to you…I will make you safe. Cersei will never touch you again."

…

Next Chapter: Cersei arrives at Casterly Rock