Lion in Savannah(A Jaime Lannister Story)

Back at the Savannah River

Scarlet immediately knew something was wrong the moment she got home. Chief and Brutus didn't greet her like they usually did; they didn't even greet Noah who came home with her, and Bronn was in the house drinking when he would usually be out on the grounds. "Bronn? Everything okay?" Bronn looked up with a glare that would freeze beer. Scarlet set down her bag and raised her hands up in a gesture of peace.

"Do ya love Lannister?" he asked with a bite in his voice. "What?" Scarlet was thoroughly perplexed. "Do...you...love...Jaime...fuckin'...Lannister?" he growled, enunciating every word. Scarlet looked at Noah for a second and then back to Bronn. "What brought this on?" Bronn stood up and took a step closer to her. He practically towered over her. "Answer the question, Scarlet." Noah stepped up and put himself between the two. "That's no way to treat a lady."

"It's okay, Noah. Bronn won't hurt me," Scarlet assured Noah and then to Bronn, she said, "Yes, Bronn. I do." Bronn nodded. "Then ya better go after him before he does somethin' stupid!" Noah moved out of the way and watched Scarlet's face change to an expression of worry. "Where is he, Bronn?" Bronn told her what had happened, about how Jaime had decided to leave and not come back. Scarlet sank down in a chair with tears stinging her eyes.

"H-He's gone? Just like that? Without givin' me a chance to explain?" The woman dissolved into tears and Noah decided that he'd had enough. "Stay here with her. I'm goin' after that moron." Bronn and Scarlet both looked at Noah in surprise. He sighed. "He makes ya happy, Scarlet and I'm certainly not gonna let him leave without at least talkin' to ya. Not now." He stormed out of the house, leaving Bronn to gape after him and Scarlet to cry.

Noah sped as fast as he could toward the river. He knew time was limited. It appeared that he made it in time. Jaime was sitting on a bench at the bank of the river. Noah breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn't left yet. Noah slammed his car door and ran down to where Jaime was. "Where do ya think you're goin'?" Jaime barely looked up.

"You shouldn't be here. You should be with Scarlet." Noah shook his head. "No. That's where ya should be. Don't you get it? Scarlet is head over heels in love with ya." Jaime huffed. "I saw the two of you. Very close." Noah rolled his eyes. "You fuckin' idiot! If you had bothered to stay and talk to Scarlet about it, you'd know that I was talkin' to her about the baby!" Jaime's head snapped up in Noah's direction.

"The what?" Jaime's voice was barely audible. Noah groaned. "Scarlet's gonna kill me. I shouldn't have said anythin'." Jaime stood so he was eye level with Noah. "But you did." Noah nodded. "You're right. Scarlet's pregnant. I told her this afternoon and tryin' to make a plan with her. She had planned to tell ya but ya ran off!" Jaime stood there stunned. Scarlet was pregnant. She was having his baby.

"Now ya better make a decision and fast. Either ya love Scarlet and want to stay with her or ya don't. But don't stay just because of the baby. If ya stay, it better be for the right reasons." Jaime nodded. "Why are you doing this? Why are you being so kind? You have feelings for Scarlet and with me gone, you could have a chance." Noah chuckled. "I want Scarlet to be happy and loved. Ya give her that. Knowin' that, I can be happy as her friend. Now, what's your decision? At this moment, Scarlet is at home cryin' her eyes out."

"Can you take me back to her?" Noah smiled. "Ya got it. Let's go." The two men practically ran toward the car. Noah drove as quickly as he could back to Scarlet's house. When they arrived, Jaime jumped out of the car. "Are you coming with me?" Noah shook his head. "No. This is between Scarlet and ya. Now go on and get in there." Jaime closed the door and ran inside.

Ignoring the excited canines, Jaime made his way to the kitchen. Scarlet was sitting at the table, her head in her hands. Bronn was next to her, but he looked so lost. He glanced up in surprise at seeing Jaime. Jaime waved Bronn off. Once his friend had left, Jaime spoke. He whispered Scarlet's name. Scarlet looked up and Jaime could see the streaks down her face. Clearly she'd been crying for a while.

"Darling," Jaime cooed, causing Scarlet to sniffle. He grabbed her hand and pulled her up. She barely had a chance to look into his green eyes before his lips crashed into hers. He could taste the salt from her tears, but it didn't bother him. The only thing that mattered to him was feeling her lips against his. It was pouring every ounce of love he had for her into his kiss.

Scarlet pulled back after a moment. "Noah told you. About the baby." Jaime nodded and Scarlet frowned slightly. "Is that why you're here?" Jaime pulled her even closer. "No. Scarlet. I'm here because I realized that there is no other place I would rather be than with the woman I love. It took someone close to you to make me realize it, but it's true." Scarlet's lip trembled.

"You love me?" Jaime chuckled and cupped her cheek with his flesh hand. "I do. I denied it for so long, but I won't anymore. I love you, Scarlet." Scarlet surged forward and kissed him again. Jaime wanted nothing more than to pin her to him, but he was wary of the baby growing inside her. When they separated, Scarlet panted. "I love you too, Jaime."