Disclaimer I: RWBY is owned by Rooster Teeth.

Disclaimer II: This story will undoubtedly contain content intended for a mature audience. Read at your own risk.

Disclaimer III: There is content in this chapter that may be considered mature. Read at your own risk.

Cover Art by: [EMO] on pixiv.

Announcement: This story is a continuation of 'A Trip to the Woods'. Please read that story first. Thank you.

The wood of the door was rough against her knuckles as Ruby knocked before taking a step back and waiting, letting her eyes wander to the floor. Sound seemed dampened in the hallway; the thick carpet, decorated in swirling red geometric squares over a dark navy base, absorbing any echo that might have dared to resonate. It felt to Ruby as though the world was expecting silence, and was listening, waiting for her to make a noise that would disrupt the sterile, stuffy hallway, so she held her breath to avoid upsetting the solemn atmosphere. Perhaps today was not the right day for this; she didn't feel as mentally prepared as usual.

Movement of a dark blur through the frosted glass that made up the door frame caught her eye, pulling her thoughts back to the present moment. The blur separated from behind another of its kind, then grew larger and darker as it approached the door. Ruby gulped and controlled her fidgeting, repeating to herself once again that this was not something that should scare her. She didn't have to be afraid.

Her last chance for escape vanished when the doorknob turned and the door was pulled open, the sight of the rough, deep brown wood replaced by a frilly tan dress shirt and a black office skirt, joined with the wafting smell of roasting coffee. Ruby forced herself to look up from the ground, spreading a smile across her face and pulling her hands out of her pockets. She blinked at the wide brown eyes that only blinked back at her.

"Ruby?"

"Hi, Ms. Adel." Ruby pinched the hem of her sweatshirt between her fingers as her therapist continued to stare at her in confusion. "I'm here for-"

Ms. Adel suddenly swung her hand up and smacked herself in the forehead. "Oh, Ruby! Of course!" She stepped back and pushed the door fully open. "Come in!" Ruby did as she was asked and shuffled nervously into the room, standing off to the side as Ms. Adel closed the door and turned back to face her young client. "I'm sorry, I got a little distracted and forgot about our appointment!" She brushed a tendril of her hair out of her face as she walked to the far corner of her office, her short heels thumping quietly against the carpet. "Go ahead and sit down and get comfortable. Do you want anything to drink? My coffee is almost ready, or I could get you a cup of tea?"

Ruby shook her head as she lowered onto the plush couch that sat in the middle of the room, linking her fingers and resting them in her lap. "No, thank you, I'm fine." Her appetite had left her the second she'd climbed out of the car and walked into the building. Yang had said to relax, that she'd done this a million times and once more wouldn't hurt, and that it was supposed to help. She wanted to go home.

"Alright, but if you change your mind just tell me," Ms. Adel called backwards as she poured herself a generous mug of steaming black coffee. She replaced the carafe and strut to her desk to pick up a folder and her notebook before sitting in the chair across from Ruby. Sighing after taking a sip, Ms. Adel placed her cup down on the low table in between the seats and leaned back, fixing Ruby with a reassuring look and a small smile. "How are you today, Ruby?"

"Good."

"Mm-hmm. I see you're still wearing the sweatshirt. You remember what I said about it last time?"

"But I... I like it."

"I'm not saying to throw it away, but I insist you not wear it during our sessions. It reinforces your feelings of fear and inadequacy and is a reminder of the past, and you're here to move forward, right? Also, it's making me hot just looking at it. Don't you know it's summer, girl? You'll get heatstroke if you keep wearing it all the time." Ruby, after a moment, removed her sweatshirt and placed it next to her on the couch. Ms. Adel nodded her approval. "Better. And, babe, I'm loving that top. I see my suggestions are starting to take root, huh? Been trying out some skirts?"

Ruby brightened a little and smiled. "Yeah, I like them. I'm going to go out with my sister and Weiss to get some more soon."

"Yay! Enough of the important stuff, are you ready to get to business?"

Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, Ruby nodded quickly. "Y-Yes," Her fingers' grip on each other tightened, and she felt her shoulders rise as her whole body filled with nervous tension. "I'm ready." This was what she hated most about these sessions. She didn't understand why she still had to go to them, but until Ms. Adel told the court that they weren't necessary anymore she was legally required to attend.

Ms. Adel's demeanor changed immediately, losing the jovial, fraternizing temperament and taking on a stern, but caring, stiffness that Ruby had long ago recognized as determined professionalism. The therapist leafed through her notes and spread open the folder, running her eyes quickly along their contents before closing them both and setting them on the table beside her coffee, throwing one leg over the other as she leaned back into her chair and steepled her fingers. Ruby braced herself for the deep, probing questions she had learned to expect from Ms. Adel.

So it was a slight surprise when Ms. Adel said flatly, "Tell me about the nightmares, Ruby." Normally she liked to ease Ruby into this discussion, exploring alternative conversations that could eventually wind their way towards what the therapist believed to be the root of the problems – the recurring nightmares. Too often they ran out of time or Ruby ran out of energy before they approached the subject, but today Ms. Adel jumped straight to the point.

After a long pause while she tried to gather her thoughts and loosen the tightening knot in her stomach, Ruby said, "It... They, they always start the same. I'm always alone, in the dark, and it feels like I can't breathe. I look around me but there's nothing, no one else is there, but then she's there, and she's smiling and looking at me like she's so happy to see me, and then I can't move. I'm forced to watch as she crawls or walks over to me and gets so close to me and she's naked and then I'm naked even if I was dressed before," She felt her throat constrict and her breath catch, her vision growing wavy as tears gathered in the corners of her eyes, "and she touches me, just like she always would and I can't move!" Ruby held her head in her hands, her voice rising into a ragged howl. "She kisses me and tells me how much she loves me and how she forgives me for what I did to her and I keep trying to scream but I can't move and then she'll kneel on my chest and put her hands on my neck and she squeezes, and I can feel it! All of it! And she smiles like this is the best thing that's ever happened to her and I'm just lying there, suffocating, and then... and then-" Ruby gasped, threw her head upwards and stared at the ceiling, her hands clenched around fistfuls of couch as her legs drew toward her chest and tears streamed down her cheeks, "Then the water is rising and it's drowning me! It's cold and dark and I'm drowning! I'm drowning!"

"Ruby-!"

"I'm drowning! I'm drowning! I can't breathe! I can't-" She rolled off the couch onto her hands and knees on the floor, sucking in breath and coughing as phlegm dripped down her throat. "I can't breathe! Save me! Save me, Blake! Save-"

She felt warm hands grab her by the shoulders and heave her back so she was kneeling, and then arms wrapped around her chest, cradling her in a soft embrace. Coffee-scented hair dangled in front of her eyes. "It's okay, Ruby. It's okay."

"Ms. Adel?" Ruby whispered slowly, beginning to gain control over her breathing once again.

"I'm sorry, Ruby. I should have started slower. I shouldn't have lead with that." The two stayed on the floor for a few minutes before Ms. Adel spoke again. "Can I move you back to the couch?"

In a meek voice, Ruby answered, "Yes, please." She staggered to her feet, then used the older woman's hands to help herself back onto the soft cushions. "Thank you," she mumbled, grabbing her red sweatshirt from beside her and pulling it over her chest and arms. The familiar warmth and faded smell of pine and old books relaxed her slightly, and she curled into a tight ball and lay on the couch. It was like she was back in the woods, laying on a bed of soft, crinkly pine needles, waiting for Blake to come walking through the curtain of moss that concealed the cave's entrance. When she closed her eyes she could almost see it; black hair alight with the warms rays of the sun, golden eyes sparkling as they adjusted to the cave's dimness, a toothy grin...

They hadn't visited Blake in a long time. It was well past due for a trip to the woods.

She opened her eyes just in time to see Ms. Adel return to her own seat, the therapist pinching the bridge of her nose. Her frustration at herself was evident in her voice. "I'm so sorry, Ruby. That was entirely my fault. I thought that maybe if-"

"You couldn't have known, Ms. Adel. It's okay, really. I... I didn't know myself."

Ms. Adel took a moment to regain her composure, then glanced over her shoulder at the clock that hung on the wall behind her desk. "There's still half an hour left in the session. Do you want to keep going?"

"Y-Yes. I wouldn't want to have wasted your time. And I think Yang would be annoyed if she had to leave her girlfriend to come pick me up early."

Ms. Adel smiled, straightening in her seat and picking up her notebook. "Great! Why don't we talk about... Blake?"

Just the sound of her name eased Ruby's stomach. She pushed herself up to a sitting position and lay the sweatshirt across the back of the couch. "I'd love to."

Coco Adel returned the young redhead's wave goodbye as Ruby disappeared around the corner in the direction of the elevators, going home to her family and friends and, presumably, a good night's sleep.

After the therapy session Coco had written a prescription for a mild sleep aid, hoping that perhaps the problem of Ruby's nightmares could be solved, or at least partially assuaged, through medication. Maybe with time, eager support, and an assurance of safety Ruby Rose could overcome the deep psychological trauma she'd been subjected to over the last several months. One could hope. Coco could only supply one of those ingredients for a more healthy mind.

The second largest concern she had, beneath only the nightmares, was Blake. Coco found it impossible to believe that 'Blake' was a second personality; Ruby exhibited none of the signs of the rare formation that were listed in any of her textbooks, nor the numerous case studies on the subject; but found it equally impossible that what Ruby suggested was true: that Blake was a mysterious inhuman creature living in the forest. A "faunus". No matter what those old newspaper clippings she found online said, when she had searched the word. It was the brainchild of fear mongers, conspiracy theorists, and greedy journalists trying to sell more papers. Honestly, that whole business had been settled when the mangy bear was shot. Her personal opinion was that it was a figment of Ruby's imagination, but the court wanted an answer. Did Ruby Rose kill Cinder Fall, or did 'Blake'? From everything Ruby described, they should simply be happy that such a disgusting human being was dead.

Coco sighed. Why had she been chosen for this case? She was fresh out of college, she had no equatable experience, and having to deal with something so vile, yet so prominent in the public's eye,this early in her career...

Ruby Rose didn't need investigating, she needed help. She needed to feel safe, needed a protector. That's what Blake was to her; a protector, a guardian to shield her from fear. That red sweatshirt was armor, but also a crutch. Coco was reminded of a case study from her senior year, and an idea suddenly sprang to mind. "A protector, hmm?" She gathered her materials from the coffee table and walked quickly back to her desk, throwing the notebook and folder unceremoniously onto the surface. Drinking from her cup as she navigated through some of her files, she clicked on her email application and, after setting down her now-empty mug, began typing.

She was halfway through her message when she heard a knock on her door. Her next client had arrived. Clicking 'Save Draft' and closing the application, Coco sighed and stood, brushing her clothes smooth as she crossed to the office's entrance. The heavy wooden door swung open to reveal a tall man in a white coat with orange hair, the long bangs swept off to the side. In his hands he held a black hat and a red cane. "Mr. Torchwick?"

He turned quickly, as if he hadn't heard the door open, and his lips pulled apart into a somewhat unsettling grin. "Ms. Adel, hello! How wonderful to finally put a face to a name." He pushed a hand through his hair. "May we come in?"

Coco caught herself staring, blinked, and stepped back. "Of course, please! You may have a seat on the couch, there."

Torchwick turned to his left and beckoned with his head. "Come along, darling," The young woman who appeared was startling to say the least. In the range of late teens to early twenties, she stood below five feet tall, with a fascinating pair of heterochromatic eyes that instantly held Coco's attention. So much so that she almost failed to notice the heavy leather boots and black Victorian-esque dress that laced across the girl's torso. Her 'look' was completed with jet-black twin tails that hung past her shoulders, tied together with matching white bows. "Ms. Adel, this is Neo."

Shutting her hanging mouth, Coco smiled and held out her hand. "Hello, Neo. It's nice to meet you. I'm Ms. Adel."

Neo rolled her eyes, but took Coco's offered hand and shook it quickly once, then tromped into the room and seated herself on the couch, picking at her nails.

Coco turned back to Torchwick. "She's nice. So are you here for..." She leaned in close, holding a hand beside her mouth as she whispered, "...an attitude problem? Or something else?"

The man's mouth formed a solid line. "No, no, we're just in the market for therapists. Excuse me," He slipped between her and the door frame, moving to her bookshelves and inspecting her collection of texts.

Coco scratched the top of her head, shrugging. She supposed it was inevitable that she might meet some odd people in this line of work. She crossed to her chair, but before she sat she thought she might try a pleasant gesture to try and warm Neo up. "Would you like anything to drink, Neo? I have coffee ready, or could get you some tea?" The girl barely lifted her eyes from her nails. Coco's nose twitched with displeasure, but she took a deep breath to calm herself down. Neo was here because she needed help, and rough starts were to be expected. "Okay. Well, how are you doing today?"

Silence, broken only by Torchwick's footsteps as he moved to the bookcase by her desk, still scanning through her books and medical journals.

"Has anything interesting happened to you recently?"

Silence, accompanied by an irritated roll of the eyes. Obviously her nails were far more intriguing than Coco's questions.

She had her work cut out for her with this one. "What's your favorite activity?"

Neo scowled and tilted her head to glare at her – father? - at Torchwick. Coco interpreted the action as asking "Why are we here again? This woman annoys me. I have more important things to do, like getting a manicure."

She cleared her throat. "Perhaps, Mr. Torchwick, you could assist me?"

"Hmm? Oh." Torchwick had been examining an older volume of a study on schizophrenia. As he slid the book back into place, he said in a completely bland tone of voice, "Neo doesn't speak."

"Yes, I've surmised that to be a priority issue. I meant-"

"You misunderstand. Neo cannot speak."

"Wha-?" Coco turned her attention back to the girl on the couch, who was smirking at her with undisguised smugness. Neo lifted a hand to her collar, and pulled down the piece of black lace that encircled her neck. A gasp slipped past Coco's control as she gazed at the ragged purple tear of scarred skin that zig-zagged across the slender throat, describing an unimaginable amount of agony suffered by someone so young. "I-"

Her attention was distracted as Torchwick addressed her directly, "Ms. Adel, is it true you are the therapist for the girl who's been on the news recently? What's her name, Ruby Rose?"

Coco blinked at him. "I-I... Yes, that's true, but-"

"Has she mentioned anything about-"

Her resolve returned as her brain snapped back into work. "Hold it, Mr. Torchwick. I am not allowed to discuss patients' private details with anyone unless presented with a subpoena. Please, do not ask."

Torchwick's smile dropped. He shrugged, placed his hat on his head, and started toward the exit. "Come along, darling, we're done for today." Neo hopped to her feet and followed him to the doorway, her hair bobbing with each step.

"Th-That's it?" Coco sputtered, "That was the only reason you were here?"

Torchwick shrugged at her as he held the door open for Neo, who scampered through and vanished around the corner. "Maybe. Maybe we just need to schedule our appointments earlier." He winked at her before stepping into the hallway, "You'll hear from us again soon, Ms. Adel." The door clicked shut.

Coco, still sitting in her chair, her hands gripping tight to the armrests, stared at the wood. Had those two been serious? No medical professional worth their salt would freely give out confidential patient information for the price of asking! She needed a drink, and she doubted the coffee would be strong enough. "Maybe I chose the wrong profession..."

However inadequate it might have been, coffee was all she had available, so she poured herself a cup and sat at her desk, reopening her email. At least she had found a potential solution to one problem. "And who wears a coat like that in the summer?" She tried not to judge, but those two had been weirdos.

Hitting 'Send' on her email, Coco smiled to herself. She had no more appointments today, meaning it was time to go home and find that stronger drink she desperately needed. The notebook was tucked into her armpit and the mug dangled from her pinky finger as she gathered her things and made for the door, turning off the lights and finding the right key to lock herself out, intent on getting onto the highway before rush hour.

On her desk, unnoticed, lay Ruby's folder, mysteriously emptied.

Author's Notes: This chapter was something of an experiment. I do not expect to feature Coco's perspective again. Please let me know what you thought. I hope it was up to your expectations.

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