A/N: once more I will say: this is not a happy story. Eventually, maybe, but right now, these are flawed characters with good and bad things about each one and I condone none of their bad characteristics. If you want the typical good vs bad/ HEA story, check out Petal and O-Yoroi... just putting that as a warning now.

The clink of crystal on crystal echoed through the palatial home.

As Summer Rose dropped the now empty glass from her lips, she pulled in a hiss through clenched teeth.

James better be home tonight. I'm running out of reasons to send Ruby to the Schnees. Besides, she thought to herself, I don't like her being around Jacques that much. Bad enough their daughters are stuck there. Their mom's not so bad as a drinking partner, though.

As if on cue, the sound of the front door's lock bounced off the sterile walls. Pouring herself another inch of Atlesean whiskey, she sipped at it. Quickly determining that the only thing she would miss was the plethora of good whiskey, she met her husband at the entrance.

Removing his outer coat, he paused at her appearance. Finishing, he hung the thick coat on a rung at the entrance.

"Summer."

"James." She leaned lazily against a nearby jam. Disparate from the body language, her gaze held no longing. He glanced at her drink.

"A little early to be drinking, don't you think?"

A side of her mouth pulled down as the opposite brow shot up. Holding up the drink to the light slipping in through the expansive window panes, she admired its caramel glow.

"Nah. You're just never around enough to notice."

Slowly, the general let his hands fall to his side, and taking a deep breath, raised his chin. The silver eyes rolled at his posture.

This dance they had perfected had become stale. And Summer Rose was finished with his dismissals.

Turning, she gestured with her free hand.

"When you're done playing general, you'll know where to find me." She moved to her wing of the house. They had long before given up the pretense of affection.

Already, her mind was on the tinkering she planned for Abyad and Qarmuzi. A few concepts niggled at her brain for Crescent Rose, as well. The General's voice stopped her in mid step.

"What is it, Summer?" His voice grew exasperated. "Why did you meet me here?"

All strength disappeared from her shoulders. Bowing her head, she whispered a prayer for strength to gods she was certain weren't listening. Sucking in a deep breath through her nose, she stiffened her body and rose it taut.

Turning on a heel, she met the man's cold blue eyes steadily.

"Ruby wants to go to Beacon."

A bark of a laugh escaped his lips. "My daughter's going to Atlas."

Quietly, Summer spoke in retort.

"She's not."

"Of course she is! It wouldn't make any sense for the headmaster's daughter to go anywhere else than his school!"

The small woman's jaw worked for a moment before she again repeated.

"She's not."

Frustration colored his face. "Is there a particular reason why you're choosing to be disagreeable?"

Taking a sip of whiskey, she shrugged loosely.

"Maybe because you seem to think this is up for discussion. She's going to Beacon."

Exasperation quickly morphed to fury, "You seem to forget, Rose, that you're no longer a huntsman, able to just go wherever you damn well please! You married a headmaster- 16 years ago, I might add! This is not a new thing, Summer!"

"No, it's not." His fury blinded him from the glint in her eye, but it was impossible to miss the set of her shoulders. Her voice was low, and she had unconsciously shifted into her fight stance. "But once more, you're missing the point that it's not your choice."

"What are you trying to say, woman?! I'm tired of this runaround!"

She bit her lip to hold back her sarcastic reply. Instead, the words that emerged were steady and simple.

"I'm telling you that Ruby will be going to Beacon for school. You have no choice in the matter."

"No choice? My own daughter, and I have no choice?!"

Clenching her fist, subconsciously she recognized it was too tight for the crystal, but her fury was becoming unbearable. The outlet it chose was her desperate grip on the glass.

"She's not-" Summer Rose choked on the words trying to escape, but her rage was too great and the glass shattered under hand.

"She's not your daughter." The words emerged calmer than she had expected. Slowly her hand unfurled and she heard the crystal hit the floor. Somewhere, abstractly, she knew she felt pain in her hand, and that it was rightfully alcohol abuse to let such fine whiskey be wasted in such a way.

Something shifted in his eyes, but the man said nothing. Emboldened by his silence, the petite woman continued.

"Or have you never wondered why we couldn't seem to have more?"

A shadow passed over his face, and in that moment she realized he had never made the conclusion. Nothing left to say, she stared at him for a long while, waiting for his reply. His gaze remained steady, all of his thoughts hidden behind a well trained mask. Recognizing the look, Summer turned, already knowing the response she was about to receive. However, the words were quiet and out of place for the anger that she was certain boiled underneath.

"Get out."

Nodding once, she glanced over her shoulder, making eye contact one last time.

"Okay. We'll be out by morning."

James nodded his agreement and started moving towards his office. Pausing halfway there, he spoke as if offhandedly.

"Send me the address to send the papers."