Lion in Savannah(A Jaime Lannister Story)

A Date

A few days later, Scarlet came out of her room dressed to kill. She wore a pair of jeans that accented every curve and a nice blouse in a light teal color that showed a little more cleavage than she usually did. A pair of flats were fitted on her feet. Scarlet had brushed her hair until it shined and lightly painted her face with makeup. Bronn let out a wolf whistle when he saw her, making her roll her eyes playfully. Jaime just stared. It wasn't that different from her normal attire, but there was something about Scarlet that night that enraptured Jaime.

"Ya'll gonna be alright on your own tonight?" Jaime couldn't seem to speak, so he nodded and left the room. He didn't want to think about Scarlet going out with Noah. About her possibly going to his bed. He couldn't stand it and that scared him. What was this hold Scarlet had over him? He'd never acted like such a jackass before, not even with Cersei. As Jaime walked to his bedroom, he heard Bronn reassuring Scarlet.

"Don't mind 'im. He'll get over it. Ya go do whatever it is people do on these date things and don't worry about us. I've learned how ta work that micro-box thing." Scarlet's laughter filled the kitchen. "Alright. Be careful and if ya need anythin', don't be afraid to call my cell. I taught ya how to work the phone, right?" Bronn chuckled. "Ya did. Now get outta here." Just then there was a knock at the door.

From his room, Jaime heard the door open. "Hi, Scar. You look...wow." Scarlet laughed lightly. "Thank ya, Noah. Ya clean up nice too. Ready to go?" Noah must have agreed because a moment later, the door closed and Jaime heard Scarlet's dogs start to whine. "Enough of that. She's comin' back." Jaime sighed and sat down on his bed.

After a few minutes of silence, Jaime's door opened. "Ya gonna tell me what all that was about?" Jaime looked at Bronn with a raised brow. "What do you mean?" Bronn rolled his eyes. "Don't fuckin' play that game with me, Lannister. Yer so jealous ya can't stand it." Jaime didn't reply, so Bronn continued, "Actually it might be a good thing. Maybe this'll convince yer dumb arse ta stay here instead of headin' back ta that shit city and horrid sister of yers."

"Don't talk about Cersei like that," Jaime warned, but his usual threatening tone was nowhere to be found. Bronn smirked. "Ya know what I think. I think yer fallin' in love with Miss Scarlet and I think yer scared shitless. Ya don't know how ta handle it." Jaime balled his fist in his lap. He wanted to smack Bronn with his gold hand. Bronn kept going. "I'll tell ya this. Ya better figure out what the fuck you want and soon too before ya lose yer chance with Scarlet forever." With that, he left, closing the door behind him. Jaime flopped back on the bed. It was going to be a long night.

Jaime fell into a restless sleep soon after. His mind was plagued with dreams. In the dream, it started out with Cersei. Jaime had returned to King's Landing, wet and tired, but no worse for wear. He thought Cersei would be happy to see him, but no. Instead, she kept yelling at him for leaving her. Blaming him for not being there with her as she fought for the Seven Kingdoms. She blamed him for everything, including the deaths of their children.

Just as Jaime was about to shake himself awake, the dream shifted. Cersei's face morphed into a new face. A younger, more gentle face. Scarlet's face. Dream Scarlet gave Jaime a sad, yet reassuring smile. She kept telling him that he was good man. No matter what anyone else said and no matter what he'd done. She said that she knew he felt remorse for the pain he'd caused and that alone told her that he was a good man. Dream Scarlet reached over and cupped Jaime's cheek. Jaime felt a sense of peace coursing through him. He woke up with a deep sigh.

Meanwhile, Scarlet was walking down the street next to Noah. They had enjoyed a nice dinner and were walking toward the movie theater. Noah was nervous every time his hand would brush against Scarlet's, but she didn't seem to notice. It was clear her mind was elsewhere. Noah was holding onto hope, but that hope was fading fast.

It wasn't Scarlet's fault. He knew that. She had tried to make the date a good one. Great conversation with dinner and during the walk to the theater. It was clear she was trying to get to know him better, but there was just something missing and Scarlet was definitely distracted. She had been since Jaime and Bronn had appeared in the river. Just outside the theater, Noah finally sighed. Scarlet looked at him and smiled. "Everything okay?"

"This isn't working, is it?" Scarlet started to deny it. "Scar, it's okay." She looked up at him sadly. "Noah, I'm sorry. I really like ya, but I think I like ya better as a friend. I was hopin' this would work out..." She started to lower her face, but Noah gently grasped her chin between his thumb and forefinger. "Hey, it's okay. I was hoping it would too, but clearly we are better as friends." Scarlet nodded. Noah leaned down slightly and kissed her cheek. "Do you still wanna see the movie? As friends?" Scarlet agreed and let Noah lead the way into the theater.

Jaime was in the kitchen when he heard the door open. Jaime brought his bottle of beer up to his lips as Scarlet rounded the corner. "Well hi, Jaime. I wasn't expectin' ya to be up." Jaime swallowed the mouthful and he shrugged. "Having trouble sleeping, I guess." Scarlet hummed. "Grab me one of those, will ya?" Confused, Jaime did as she asked. Scarlet didn't drink much, but apparently she needed one. Something was bothering her.

Clearing his throat, Jaime asked, "How was your date?" Before she answered, Scarlet took a rather large gulp of the beer. She let out a groan as the liquid burned her throat. After swallowing, she replied, "Noah and I decided it wasn't gonna work. We're better off as friends." Scarlet took another drink while Jaime tried to keep his face stoic. Deep down, he knew Bronn had been right. He had been jealous of Noah. As for Bronn's other accusation, Jaime wasn't sure. Could he be falling in love with Scarlet when Cersei was still never far from his mind? Jaime didn't know, but he would find out soon enough.