1A/N: Another reminder of mentions of past abuse. There were brief mentions in the previous two chapters and a bit more are in this chapter, too (not in any overly graphic detail but it does get addressed) and this is a warning to those readers who'd rather avoid any mentions.
Chapter 3
Present
Sansa looked again at her phone, bringing up the picture she'd sent Margaery. The tension in the room was increasing, the air thick with emotion. At first she didn't know why Margaery was silent for so long but she now realized that Margaery was putting it all together so she quietly put the phone away in her briefcase and turned towards the window, waiting, her hands clenching and unclenching. The project title in the final proposal was the tip-off, Sansa knew, and even if that picture hadn't been brought up, she should've anticipated Margaery's ability to connect the dots on the title alone. Using a different name would've delayed this confrontation until she'd had a chance to gauge from a distance where Margaery stood but Sansa hadn't been able to resist the acronym. It had seemed fitting somehow and perhaps deep down she had wanted it to be like this, had wanted to see if Margaery remembered enough to see through her. And now she wanted to speak but Sansa had already made the overture. It was Margaery's turn.
Margaery took another deep breath. She felt so exposed and for what seemed like the first time in her adult life, she was unwilling to put the façade back on to cover it up. Sansa was here, right now, and she still had this picture of them on her phone. That meant something. And this business proposal, the project title and the contents, meant something, too. She closed her eyes, her heart beginning to understand Sansa's true intent. The proposal was a lifeline for her company, not a takeover. But it wasn't a decision meant to expand Stark power in the Reach; no… it was much more personal. Margaery was the reason and Sansa was waiting for her answer. She wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. Margaery felt the first stirrings of a joy she hadn't felt in years and she wasn't quite sure she deserved it. After Sansa had walked in the room, when Margaery had turned around in the chair, Sansa had looked at her so sternly, with so much coldness in her face, but it had just been a mask. As meticulously built as her own was. But the time for masks was over. Margaery knew what she had to do now.
Putting the phone back into her briefcase, Margaery walked to the door of the conference room and locked it. She didn't want any interruptions. Then she walked over to Sansa and stood facing her. Sansa was still looking at the window but eventually she turned to her and the coldness was gone. There was still caution, like she was bracing herself but there was hope, too. That hope reassured Margaery that she could do this. She had to do this.
"I kept that picture, too; longer than I should have," said Margaery, her voice breaking. She looked up at the ceiling, feeling the tears already start to well up, and she smiled. "I was stupid. I knew what would happen if he ever saw it… but it was us… it was you and me…"
Sansa felt like she couldn't breathe. Margaery was in front of her. Not the businesswoman, not the woman who had shaken her hand in a courteous but distant greeting. Her Margaery. And she had missed her so damn much. The urge to hold her overwhelmed Sansa but she could tell that Margaery opened with this for a reason. Sansa had to be patient. She had kept it, too?
"And he did see it before I got around to deleting it. He confronted me that night. I'm sure you saw all the reports after the crash; you know what he'd been doing to me," Margaery said and flinched at the memory but kept going. "He hit me in the car that night and threatened you. He was insane, driving erratically."
Margaery paused, turning to the window and crossing her arms over her chest.
"Cersei blamed me. She thought I'd caused the crash. And the truth is I did think about it. I pictured myself grabbing the wheel. There's a narrow, winding road on the way to the house we lived in and a bend he always took too fast. He'd gone off the road a few times after late night drinking but never into a tree. But those near misses never got him to put on a seatbelt. Bastard thought he was invincible. That night, he'd been drinking and he was screaming at me, about us, not paying attention to the road. It's not as if he would've listened to me but I still could've told him to slow down, reminded him about that bend. But I didn't. I wanted to leave it up to fate. I could've died but I didn't care. You're the first person I've told. Do you think I'm a terrible person?"
Sansa was breathing faster now. She had always wondered about the crash and it crushed her to know that Margaery had thought so little of her own life. "No, I don't. You were in a terrible marriage. You didn't force him to act that way. I wish you had told me back then, before… I would've been there for you."
Margaery looked at Sansa and grabbed one of her hands.
"And you were, Sansa. Every time I was with you, every time I looked at that picture."
Sansa nodded, blinking back her tears. "But you said you eventually deleted it… why?"
Margaery let go of Sansa's hand and sighed, looking back out the window. After a long pause, she said gently, "You moved in with her."
Sansa inhaled sharply but Margaery still couldn't look at her. What she was revealing felt like too much but Margaery couldn't stop herself. When she'd heard the news that Sansa and Daenerys were going to move in together, she was both thrilled for Sansa and heartbroken over her. She had truly lost her and that picture had become a painful reminder of that loss.
"You were right… about what I felt… I didn't leave because I didn't feel it. I tried to tell myself it was about staying in control… it was easier to play that role of the power-hungry bitch than to admit that I was afraid of him. I was so afraid of what would happen, of what he would do. To me or to you. You don't know, you don't know what it was like…" Margaery trailed off. She took several calming breaths, and thought of all the therapy it had required for her to admit that fear out loud. It was better now but this was Sansa and the more she spoke, the more her old instinct to gloss over it tried to kick in.
It was difficult for Sansa to hear these words, to hear Margaery admit her feelings for her but also how afraid Margaery had been. Sansa knew of her love, of course she knew. Margaery thought she had hid it all so well but she could not hide her heart. Sansa had felt it in every kiss, in every time Margaery ducked her face away at Sansa's loving gaze. She just hadn't known it had been a different kind of fear that kept Margaery from her. Sansa had thought it was fear of losing her status, her love of power seemingly greater than her love for Sansa. But after the crash, she had learned the truth and Sansa had been consumed with guilt for ever doubting her.
Sansa remembered those reports, the buried medical records that suddenly saw the light of day in the media right after the crash, probably thanks to Cersei who was looking to pin a motive on Margaery – the battered wife seeking revenge. The images were burned in Sansa's mind, the pictures of those bruises on Margaery's arms and back. And those were only from when she had sought medical attention. How many other times had there been? Sansa had heard the rumors but she had only heard of how he would disrespect her in public, of the public arguments that would descend into yelling matches; Sansa hadn't known it had crossed over into violence. Those last minute changes to Margaery's visits started to make sense. Margaery had needed extra days to heal so that Sansa wouldn't see the marks on her body. Sansa also remembered those times when she would stare off into nothing, at how she flinched sometimes when Sansa touched her arm. Joffrey fucking Baratheon deserved what he got.
The Lannisters had immediately sought to keep Margaery from inheriting Joffrey's assets. There was no prenup but the Lannisters had done the math and his holdings in the Baratheon and Lannister companies would've given the Tyrells controlling interest. Before Margaery had even woken up from her coma, the speculation in the media against Margaery began and Sansa knew a vicious legal battle loomed; this had been why she didn't stay at the hospital. She knew the Lannisters would use anything against Margaery and she didn't want to be the reason Margaery didn't get everything she deserved after enduring that evil bastard for as long as she did. She had to protect Margaery by staying a secret.
Sansa then asked the question she'd wanted to ask for the last three years.
"A year after the accident, after you settled with the Lannisters, why did you send us their books, the evidence of all the fraudulent accounting?"
Margaery smiled bitterly. She'd sent those books anonymously but she should've known Sansa would have figured it out. "I couldn't let those bastards get away with how they treated me. Fucking Cersei. And I knew Stark Industries was ready to get its revenge over how they'd tried to take over your company the decade before. Watching you expose their exorbitant debts to shareholders and obliterating them was my absolute pleasure."
"She fought like hell, though," murmured Sansa, "I'll give her that." The Lannisters may no longer be the power players they once were but Cersei's brother Tyrion was rebuilding the brand. They would be back eventually. It was one of the reasons Sansa needed the Tyrells to agree to this deal. She had to protect them.
"Well, it was also the least I could do after you sent us those compromising pictures of her," Margaery softly said, enjoying the shocked look on Sansa's face.
Margaery could tell Sansa had thought she'd gotten away with that one. They had been old photos and it had likely been Ned Stark that had kept them under wraps to protect his friend Robert Baratheon – various pictures of Cersei in bed with different men but the most shocking had been the ones with her own brother Jaime. Margaery wasn't exactly losing the legal fight for Joffrey's assets but in the midst of it, the Lannisters had begun measures to buy Tyrell shares from shareholders, laying the groundwork for a takeover. Tyrell Inc. probably would've been able to fight it off but it was too great a risk to take and Margaery privately negotiated a settlement with Cersei, using the pictures. It had taken some sleuthing but she'd eventually traced the sender to someone from the North.
"Thank you, Sansa. You saved us. Cersei agreed to sell all their holdings in Tyrell Inc. in exchange for those photos and negatives, along with a solemn promise that I held no copies, and my rights to Joffrey's shares. I assume you made copies before sending them? I'd hate to think that leverage couldn't be used again if Cersei decided to cause further trouble somewhere down the line."
Sansa only nodded in response. She and Robb had found those photos in her dad's safe after he died years ago but didn't see any reason to share them. Not until she'd gotten word of the Lannisters' intended takeover of Tyrell Inc.
"Why didn't you call me after? When I saw the flowers, I had so much hope," Margaery whispered. She knew Sansa and Dany had broken up not long after her accident and it had bothered her more than she'd wanted to admit that Sansa never reached out. Those flowers in the hospital had been it.
Sansa winced. She'd felt more comfortable discussing their business dealings. But she hadn't been there for Margaery when she should've been, and anonymously sent photos and current business proposals did not make up for that.
"I'm sorry. I wish I had, I really do. At the time, I told myself you were in a huge legal fight and that I would be a liability for you if our past became known. And then we were fighting the Lannisters."
"And after?"
"It just seemed like too much time had passed, I guess. I was afraid, too. How we ended… I didn't know if I could go through that again. But I went to that conference last year. You could've approached me there if you really wanted to talk to me." Sansa tried to suppress the scowl at her memory of seeing Margaery work the room. Touchy hands, bright smiles, but never at her. Margaery had scarcely glanced at her and Sansa let fear keep her from walking over to her.
"You didn't look like you wanted me to. You spent more time with your sister looking down at everybody than you did networking."
Margaery remembered how nervous she'd been when she'd heard Sansa would be at the conference. She may have had one glass of wine too many and chatted up a storm with whoever crossed her path, directing only brief glances at the beautiful redhead at the other end of the room, too far away to truly admire but close enough to affect Margaery's confidence. Margaery had fully intended to approach Sansa; she'd just taken too long and then Sansa and Arya had left before she could make her move.
"I wasn't there to network. I never go to those things, Margaery. I only went because I knew you were going to be there."
"So you make the effort to go to something you hate but the effort to talk to me was a bridge too far?" Margaery asked incredulously.
"I'm here now," Sansa whispered.
Margaery took a deep breath, and shook her head. This was spiraling and she didn't like how she was contributing to it. She asked, "So why is DT Corp. coming after the Reach? Is Dany really that petty about your breakup?"
"No, it's not personal for her," Sansa answered, surprised by the change in subject. "I did hurt her, though. Things were great with her for a while. But then your accident… she realized… well, we ended it. Anyway, she's wanted a foothold in Westeros for a long time. Her business holdings in Essos are doing well and you're in a weak position."
Sansa remembered Dany's look when she got back home after leaving for King's Landing without telling anyone. She'd heard about the accident and had dropped everything, booking the next flight down. When she got back, Dany had already packed her bags and told her they weren't going to work as long as Sansa continued to hold on to someone else, and she moved out of the apartment they had chosen together. Dany had uprooted her life, managing her interests in Essos all the way from Winter town, showing Sansa a level of dedication she'd always wanted from Margaery. But that was the problem and one Dany wasn't able to ignore any longer. Sansa still wanted Margaery.
Margaery realized what Sansa had just revealed. Her breakup with Dany had been because of her. And it reminded her of the few flings she'd allowed herself after Joffrey died. None of them could compare to Sansa and they didn't last long. Blaming Sansa for not calling was just an excuse; she knew she could've called, too, and had let her own fear of rejection stop her. But Margaery shook off her regret and stared at Sansa. She'd put it off long enough. The past was done and it was time to start talking about what they wanted from each other now.
"I'm surprised you're not trying to make the same play. I know the game, Sansa, if I were in your shoes, or hers, I'd be doing the same thing. What you did to the Freys is what I was expecting from today's meeting, what we had all prepared for. Then my grandmother showed me your proposal."
There was a twinkle in Margaery's eye, that understanding of what Sansa wanted and it was filled with humor and anticipation, and Sansa's hope increased. There wasn't any reason not to be upfront with her now.
"I had to get that meeting with Olenna. Coming at her in friendship would've been waved away. You Tyrells are stubborn. Circulating rumors of a takeover seemed like a quicker way."
"And telling her you didn't want me involved?"
"Another way of trying to direct your grandmother away from my true motives. But I knew you would be here, especially after you'd seen the final proposal, which was very different than the plans I'd spoken of with Olenna. Dany doesn't care about the sentiment we have over our companies, Margaery. She's built her empire from the ground up and is willing to break old things apart to start fresh. I admire that actually. Change can be a good thing. She's kind and caring in her personal relationships but business-wise, she's ruthless. She won't hesitate to put you all out on your asses if it's the most beneficial thing for her people. I know how much this company means to you. You're making good progress but Dany isn't going to give you the time you need."
"So you're my knight in shining armor? Here to save the day?"
"It's a fair partnership. You and your family will continue to run Tyrell Inc. and Highgarden Corp. the way you want. We're just protecting your flank."
"With a Stark or two on our board," Margaery replied, knowing her grandmother would bristle at this but if Sansa was one of them, she'd be spending a lot of time here. She tried to hide the upturn the corners of her mouth started to make but one look at Sansa told her she'd not been successful.
Sansa smiled, reading Margaery's thoughts. "And a Tyrell on ours, the presence of our representatives on our respective boards to be renegotiated in the future once you don't need us anymore. Surely that would satisfy your grandmother."
"Red Wolves and Roses," Margaery said under her breath, looking into Sansa's eyes. She knew but she had to ask. "Why are you doing this, Sansa?"
"You know why," Sansa answered softly, her voice full of the tenderness that was rising up within her.
And even though she had fully expected this answer, Margaery still couldn't help the small gasp she took at seeing that look of love she used to shy away from. But she didn't want to shy away now. She kept her eyes steady on Sansa's. "After how I treated you, after walking away the way I did… you should hate me."
"I don't. Your text tone tells me you don't hate me either," teased Sansa.
"Don't read too much into that, Miss Stark."
They smiled at each other, both knowing how revealing that text tone had truly been. And Sansa felt the walls come down. There was nothing in the way now. Even if this business partnership fell through, Margaery would still be hers. Relief shuddered through her, somehow not quite believing that her five year wait was truly at an end.
Sansa stepped closer to Margaery, her heart racing, and said, "I thought I would have to spend more time with you before we could get to this point. I was fully prepared to have to woo you."
"My my, Sansa Stark pitching woo – that would've been a sight," Margaery smirked, feeling Sansa's warmth near her and not able to keep herself from leaning towards it.
"I got you into my bed just a day after we met, didn't I?"
"And here I thought I had flawlessly played the role of seductive temptress."
Sansa laughed, her heart feeling light and happy at the teasing and flirting. She truly did think she would have had to do more to convince Margaery to give them another try. At minimum, she would've been content with saving Margaery's company for her and forming a friendship. She'd missed that part of their relationship, too; all the conversations they'd shared, Margaery's keen insight into any problem Sansa was stuck on. But that feeling she'd had on the plane about today being life changing had been right after all.
"So, Miss Stark, what do you say we blow this meeting and go somewhere? There's this bar down the road; the owner made sure to put in a classic jukebox with lots of soul sides."
"Did she? She must have good taste," Sansa smiled knowingly. Margaery wasn't the only one who kept tabs on business associates and competitors. She knew Margaery opened that bar last year. Hearing about the jukebox had stoked the hopeful embers in Sansa's heart, had inspired her to seek her out at that conference, had made her wonder if there was still a chance. That conference didn't pan out like she'd hoped but she hadn't stopped thinking about her. And when they got wind of what DT Corp. had planned, Sansa knew she had to act, telling Robb and Arya everything – about Margaery, about the debt they owed her for sending them the Lannister books, about needing to do everything in her power to help her.
Margaery was caught off guard by Sansa's knowing gaze, immediately realizing Sansa knew it was her bar. She blushed and she was surprised. It had been a long time since someone's look was able to do that. "I think you'll love it."
"I'm sure I will." Sansa reached for Margaery's hand and held it tightly. Then she stepped in even closer, looking down into the face she'd never stopped dreaming of.
"You should have more laugh lines here," Margaery said softly, her fingers having found their way to Sansa's face, her own skin tingling at the sensation of the skin she had missed. Margaery felt the heat grow in her chest at both the familiarity and the chance for rediscovery.
"You'll help me with that, won't you?" Sansa whispered, trying to control the trembling that started as soon as she felt Margaery's fingers on her face, now moving down to her neck.
"I'm not much different, Sansa. I'm still selfish and very much self-absorbed. Who's to say I won't screw it up?"
"I won't let you. I'm not letting you go."
Margaery smiled, hearing the promise in Sansa's words. They could finally be together. Margaery desperately wanted to kiss her. But she knew they weren't there yet, that there was still more talking to do. Even so, it was a start and she wouldn't let this chance at happiness get away from her again.
"I love you, Sansa. I'm not going..."
Sansa interrupted her with a kiss. Margaery had said the words and Sansa wasn't going to wait any longer. Her lips pressed hard against Margaery's, drinking her in like she'd never tasted her before. When her hands moved to grip Sansa's shoulders, pulling her in closer, Sansa groaned with want and deepened the kiss.
"Sansa…" Margaery gasped, pulling away. "Shouldn't we wait until… we talk some more?"
"I love you, too," Sansa said, panting hard. "There… happy?" She looked into Margaery's flushed face and wished she'd stuck a marriage proposal in that file she'd faxed Olenna. They had plenty of time for that, though.
Margaery laughed and pressed herself tightly against Sansa, burying her face in Sansa's neck and relishing the softness of her skin. She never wanted to lose this. This was happiness and maybe she did deserve it after all. No matter what happened, she would never stop fighting for it. Margaery turned and lightly grazed her lips along Sansa's jaw, feathering kisses and small bites, and then nipped at her lower lip. Then she whispered, "Perfectly. Now let's go. I have five years of kisses to catch up on and I'd like to get started."
A/N: Thanks for reading! Just felt like writing a short emotional rollercoaster that I hope was satisfying for all. Happy new year!
