Chapter 2

Gendry couldn't hide the petrified feeling that had twisted his face into a grimace as Yoren took the cuff keys from his extended hand and crossed to remove the handcuffs off Arya wrists.

I just arrested Ned Stark's daughter.

The skin on his face felt a lot warmer now and he could feel the stares of all the other officers heavy on the back of his skull.

Ned sighed and shook his head at his daughter turning to his office with a small beckoning nod in her direction. Arya shot a thankful smile at Yoren and rubbed her free wrists, following Ned into his office. She stole a quick glance at Gendry before Ned closed the door.

Raucous laughter filled the previously silent room as Gendry sunk into a chair with an exasperated sigh. Yoren joined him.

"It's his daughter," Gendry laughed dryly, but it came out as a scoff.

"Aye," Yoren nodded besides him, smiling down at the handcuffs in his hands.

Gendry shook his head. "I had no idea, I mean, I knew he had daughters, but how was i suppose to guess she... she could have told me! She didn't say anything when I... she harassed a couple of girls. Well, sorta, I mean... I didn't even handle her that rough...not really... she was squirming around and giving me a hard time and... she could have told me who she was. She..."

"Oi. You've done nothing wrong, boy!" Yoren cut him off.

Gendry shot him a long side glance and Yoren laughed.

"Would've loved to see you arresting her," he whispered, scratching under his beard with the handcuffs.

Gendry laughed then, relaxing a bit with a roll of his eyes. "She's ...feisty."

"She's brilliant." Yoren put in with what Gendry could have sworn was a small hint of reverence.

"Is she?" Gendry raised an eyebrow.

"Aye. Known her almost all her life. She has so much spirit. Splitting image of Ned's late sister, and just as wild."

Gendry had nothing to say to that, so instead he grabbed for the handcuffs in Yoren's hands.

"These are mine," he rose, waving them at Yoren before turning for the toilets. He tossed the handcuffs on his desk as he walked by it, ignoring the scattered chuckles and remarks he gained on the way. Once inside, he locked the door after himself.

He stood before one of the mirrors and took a good look at himself under the fluorescent lights. His uniform was dirty and disheaveled from the struggle with the Stark girl. He tugged at his vest, wishing to be out of it.

"You're new, aren't you?"

Gendry fixed his sleeves and turned the tap on, washing his hands vigorously and splashing cold water on his face.

He rubbed at his temples, fruitlessly willing the headache that he had started on the drive to the station to go away. He examined his uniform one last time before heading back out.

He found some pain tablets in one of his desk drawers and was on his way to the vending machine for a juice when Ned's door opened and Arya walked out, followed by her father and the tall red haired girl from the gas station. She must have arrived when Gendry was in the lavatory. She'd changed into a clean dress, but there was a fading red mark on her forehead from her attack.

To his surprise the three of them crossed to him.

"Girls, I'd like you to meet someone," Ned smiled at Gendry, wrapping an arm around each girl.

"This is Gendry, our newest constable."

Gendry smiled weakly, bowing his head. Meeting the tall girl's eyes then Arya's, who narrowed hers with a grimace.

"This is Sansa, my oldest daughter. You've met Arya." Ned chuckled warmly at that. Gendry smiled politely, eyes fixed on Arya.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Constable," Sansa said in a small, sweet voice.

"You can call me Gendry, Miss." he told her, still finding the title alien on him.

"Gendry," she repeated with a smile, making Gendry feel a bit uncomfortable.

Out of the corner of his eye Arya rolled her eyes at her sister and pulled away from under her father's arm. Ned patted her on the head and kissed Sansa's forehead.

"You go on home," he told her. "Arya and I will follow shortly. Gendry," Ned turned to him with a sudden serious expression. "A word in my office."

Gendry nodded once and followed Ned to his office.

"Arya," Ned called out from his office door. "Go with Yoren. Yoren... no guns please. "

Gendry stepped over the threshold and watched as Ned closed it behind him.

"Listen, Sir. About your daughter..."

Ned held a hand up, shaking his head.

"Have a seat Gendry. You're not in trouble."

Gendry did as he was told, and Ned followed suit, choosing the chair besides his.

"Every man that's ever worked for me at this station has met my family. My chidren have been vacationing with a close family friend. So you hadn't had the pleasure to meet them. You'll meet my boys soon. My wife you've met, of course."

"Lovely lady," Gendry nodded with a nervous smile.

"Yes," Ned chuckled at Gendry's anxiousness. "Like I said, you're not in trouble. The complete opposite, really. Everyone here knows my family and they take it upon themselves to be lenient towards my children and look the other way when incidents like today's happen," he smiled gently, "I love my children, Gendry, and I want them to grow up knowing that there are consequences to their actions regardless of who they are and that they are Stark. You did good today. Arya can be a bit rebellious at times, but she is a good girl. This is not the first time she's caused trouble. I doubt it'll be the last. However it is the first time she's been arrested," He paused to shift his weight in the chair, sliding a little closer to Gendry. "Don't ever let a person's name get in the way of you doing your job. Always do the right thing. That responsibility comes with this job. Honor, I fear, is a dying trait in men nowadays. Never find yourself lacking it."

"Yes Sir." Gendry nodded.

"You're doing good, son." Ned rose and led him to the door, patting his back with a smile.

Gendry beat himself mentally on the drive home that evening for the idiotic apologies he had offered Ned. He had done his job and now felt like an ass-kissing moron who allowed others influence his actions too much. All those tossers who looked down on him could go suck on a park bench for all he cared.

After a hot shower and some eggy bread, he pulled out his Uni books and felt his headache hitch at the simple thought of studying.

When he first started working at the station, Ned had encouraged him to enroll in University, and still to date, kept him on his toes about his scores.

After 20 minutes, and little progress in the chapter, he cursed and tossed the book over his shoulder.

He would set the alarm on his mobile an hour earlier than usual and finish the chapter tomorrow. He pulled off his shirt and crossed the living room to lock the front door.

As soon as he was under the covers of his bed, he thought about what Ned's speech. About honor. Doing the right thing. He thought about his mother. Her yellow hair. Her songs and the men she brought over sometimes. She would always give Gendry a few pounds and send him off to the park. It made Gendry shudder now to know where the money came from.

Soon sleep began to weigh down on his lids, and he turned on his side with a tired sigh. Just as he was close to falling unconscious, his thoughts found their way to the Stark girl. She'd given him quite a workout. He smiled weakly at that.

"She's brilliant..." Yoren's words echoed in his head.

Maybe she was.

AN

For the record, Arya will be 16, and Gendry 21.

Thanks! Reviews greatly appreciated!