Cr00cy, let's hit'em with some plot and character stuff...everyone loves character stuff

Chapter 13

Chain of Command

W.S. Quote Book Says: "Conflict and resolution are two sides of the same coin." - Haresh Sippy

W.S. Playlist Says: "Bitch, I'm a boss, I plan the shots, I call the calls." - Meek Mills

She was good.

She was really, really, infuriatingly good.

But she wasn't invincible.

He could see it in the way that her foot slipped on the grass of the field they were using for a training ground, just a little farther than what she was comfortable with. He could see it in the way she chose to parry and angle out, rather than counter. He could see it in the way that her glyphs were hastily formed, not holding the substance and detail she prided herself on. Now, if you were to ask him how he knew all these things, he'd have to shrug at you…the link was weird.

It's not like he could blame her though, three on one was bad odds no matter how you broke it down. Which is was made it so goddamn irritating that she was holding Ren, Nora, and himself off on her lonesome. She was fighting smart, just like she always did, angling herself so that they were always in each other's way, never having a chance to surround her. That and using phantom Beowolves to even the odds.

Fuck those Beowolves. Was a thought he'd had more than once today.

Oh, and the link. She was drawing on the link. His very, very dumb idea, to get some more practice with it. As it turned out, the girl could put some Aura to use.

Still, he could see the sheen of sweat on her forehead as she pushed Ren back with a grunt, before driving a spinning kick into the boy's stomach, sending him flying back towards him, skidding to a halt at his feet.

"How's your day going?" He quipped as he pulled his friend to his feet.

"Oh, you know, it's been so-so." The ninja responded, rubbing along his ribs with a wince.

"Maybe Nora's having better luck." He offered. An explosion and a yelp shot that theory down, as Nora crashed down beside them.

"Hi Nora."

"Hi Jauney." She groaned, sprawled out on her back.

"How you doing down there?"

She sat up and shook her head. "Meh, I've had better Thursdays." She turned her head to side, and spat some blood on the ground before grinning. "There are less Beowolves in the world now though. Also, she's slowing down."

"Yeah." He agreed. She was definitely trying to hide how hard she was breathing.

"Not to be a downer-"

"It's why we love you Renny." Nora comforted.

"-But WE'RE slowing down. We've been at this for hours." The boy a finished with a sigh and a small glare at the knight, making it clear who's Aura reserves he blamed for that.

He hummed. "I think I've got a plan."

Ren raised an eyebrow. "Is it a good plan?"

"Maybe?"

"I know you ladies are enjoying your little chat, but can you find time in your busy schedules to get back to the spar?" Winter called.

"We were just commenting on your hair…it looks terrible." He called back.

"Maybe I'll get your sisters to help me braid it after I get finished trouncing you."

Nora snorted at that, earning a look from Jaune.

Ren shook his head and sighed. "Anyway…the plan?"

Jaune perked up at that. "Right! The plan. The well thought out plan. The best pl-"

"Jaune!"

The blond chuckled. "Nora, explosions if you please."

She shot him a mock salute.

"Ren, I'm going to need you to rush her. I think I know which direction she's going to go."

His friend cocked an eyebrow at that. "How's that?"

He shrugged. "Aura stuff? I dunno. I'll bring the fight to her, distracting her, and then Nora…do you thing."

She grinned. "I approve of this plan."

"I'm going to summon a Goliath now. You've certainly given me the time." Winter warned.

Jaune tsked. "Sounds like our cue. Go!"

Nora's grenade launcher popped up, sending a volley of shells through the air that Winter caught in a glyph, eyes narrowing as she prepared to toss them back.

Shit!

"Ren!" He called out in a panic, but the boy in green was already ahead of him, targeting the explosives, and shooting them in place, kicking up a cloud of dust the ninja charged through. He was right behind him, his legs pumping as he rushed into the smoke and dust, his shield held high. He could hear the clash of steel on steel ahead of him, could feel that she was going to go right. He wasn't sure why, but it just felt…right. Ren cursed ahead of him, and he assumed the boy went down. He peeled out from the smoke, coming face to face with his team lead, her eyes wide with shock.

Got you.

He swung, forcing her blade up to parry, and he brought his shield around to catch her as she pulled back. He knew she would pull back. He could feel it.

Strangely enough, he also felt her elbow as it dug into the side of his cheek, whipping his head to the side and driving him back as she swept his feet out from under him.

Dammit!

Winter tsked, planting her foot on his chest. "You think it only goes one-way Arc?"

He laughed. "I'm not who you need to worry about."

She squinted in confusion as Nora appeared behind her, hammer cocked and ready to swing, as her eyes gleamed. He had several words to describe the sequence of events that happened next.

Unfair. Bullshit. Physically impossible. All of those fit pretty well.

The angle at which Winter bent her spine in order to dodge Nora's swing hurt him to think about. She allowed the hammer to pass over her, brushing her hair as it passed, before knocking the ginger girl aside with a swing of her own.

We're not losing this. Jaune determined, as he pushed up on the off-balance Specialist, causing her to stumble backwards. She yelped as he tackled her to the ground, holding desperately onto her legs. He heard some rather unladylike things pass through her lips as her short blade freed itself from the hilt of her saber.

"Ren!" He roared, as a green blur slammed into the woman's arm, pinning the smaller blade to the ground. Nora followed shortly after, grabbing Winter's saber arm and wrestling it to the ground. The Specialist continued to shift and struggle beneath them, till he called out those fateful words…

"Nora, lick her!"

"I give! I give! The match is yours!" Winter shrieked, as the craned her head away from the pinkete's outstretched tongue. "Jaune! Call her off!" She begged.

"Nora, pack it in." He laughed, as he rolled off her legs.

"Awww." Nora whined, letting go of the woman's arm. "We were bonding, Jauney."

Winter snorted as she made her way to her feet, brushing herself off. "Please save that type of 'bonding' for your boyfriend."

"We're not-" Ren and Nora started at the same time.

"-together together. Yes, we're all painfully aware of your commitment issues." Winter quipped as she rolled her eyes.

Ren coughed into his hand. "I'm afraid that you might have the wrong idea…"

She shot the boy a look, before shaking her head and looking to Jaune.

"I don't get paid for drama. That's all you."

He rolled his eyes. "I was told you're supposed to be in charge of the health of the team. Mental health included."

"People say a lot of things." She shot back.

"I'm saying that you just got your ass handed to you by a bunch of kids. The B-team at that." They heard a familiar voice call from the edge of the clearing.

Winter sighed. "Qrow. Ever unwanted, but always on hand. Are you sure your Semblance isn't just being a bad penny?"

The grey Hunter shrugged. "Honestly? Close enough. You sure yours isn't the ability to get that stick so far up your ass?"

Winter mocked gasped. "Oh no! A sexual retort! How unexpected." She finished in deadpan. "Why don't you do us all a favor, and-"

"I'm not here for you." He interrupted.

"Thank the Gods."

He snorted. "Don't ask like you're not disappointed. I'm here for the kid."

"I feel like I should file a sexual harassment complaint on his behalf."

"Har har. You done?"

She hummed. "Almost." She turned back towards her team, proud smile in place. "While…unorthodox, your tactics were effective. You did good team."

"YES!" Nora cried with a hop, pumping her arm in the air.

Winter shook her head and motioned to Qrow. "When you're not with…this, I'd like to speak with you, Jaune." She scowled as she reached out a wiped a trail of blood leaking from his lip, drawing a hiss from the boy.

"And you accuse me of harassment." Qrow drawled.

The Specialist opened her mouth to retort, but Jaune beat her to it.

"I got it boss. I'll find you later. I've got the old bird." He finished with a smile at the older man.

She shrugged. "Very well, enjoy your 'mentor moment,' I'm going to go find something useful to do." She said, as she stared to walk back towards camp.

"Love you too Ice-Queen." Qrow called after her, earning himself a one-finger salute over her shoulder. The man chuckled. "Some people just can't be helped."

Jaune raised an eyebrow. "You two seem to be getting along better."

"We had a moment."

"Did it involve booze?"

"…"

The blond sighed. "Dammit Qrow."

"It wasn't like that! I've been dry since we got here!" He defended.

Nora snorted. "Imma put you on the wagon and tie you to it."

"Listen, I don't need a lecture from team pitiful." Qrow snapped back.

"Yes," Ren drawled, "I'm sure you're quite familiar with the concept." He teased.

"Buncha brats." Qrow growled.

"What did you need?" Jaune asked, smirking at his friend.

The Hunter ran a hand through his hair. "It's, uh, a private matter."

Jaune cocked an eyebrow. "Nothing is private from the team. That includes you by the way."

Qrow smirked. "Well, color me honored to be roped in with the losers."

"Lovable losers." Nora clarified.

Qrow shook his head. "Alright, alright. Listen kid, Oz wants a team leader meeting today. You, me, Short-Stack, and himself."

"Why do I get the feeling that this 'team leader' meeting originally only involved Ruby?"

Qrow sighed. "I'm not getting into this with you right now, kid."

"You're not saying I'm wrong."

"And I'm not saying you're right. You coming or not?"

Jaune nodded. "When and where?"

The older man hummed. "Give me like an hour and come find us over by the Ursa camp. There's a set of supply tents to the east that are pretty quiet."

The blond sighed. "Yeah, sounds good to me."

"Great, it's a date."

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

"You're a riot kid." The Hunter quipped, as he turned and began walking back towards the main camp, waving over his shoulder. "See you in an hour."

"Dress nice!" Jaune shouted after him, earning a snort from Nora.

"Well Jaune-Jaune, what you going to do in the meantime?" She asked.

He flopped back down on the grass and sighed. "Sleep sounds good."

The pinkete leaned over him. "You're not going to wash up for your date?"

He hummed. "Maybe. Why don't you go ahead and head back to camp, I'll catch up to you."

She shrugged. "You heard FL, Renny, let's head-"

"Actually, if you can leave Ren, we're kinda overdue a bro talk."

She raised an eyebrow. "It's every talk with you a BRO talk?"

He chuckled. "I guess that's true now."

She nudged him playfully with her boot. "Well, just make sure you don't make Qrow too jealous. Renny is easy to talk into things, and I don't want you pressuring him."

The dark haired boy scoffed. "I don't think I'm that easy to-"

"Did we or did we not own a pet sloth for a while?"

He coughed and looked away.

Jaune raised an eyebrow. "I need to hear this story."

The girl tsked. "Not while you're having boys only chats with Renny. What are you going to ask him, how to get Yang to love on you even harder?"

"Phrasing Nora." Ren cut in.

Jaune laughed waved from his place on the ground. "Bye Nora."

She grinned and started to skip away. "Bye FL. Be gentle with Renny!"

He shook his head as he watched her go, patting the ground beside him and signaling for his friend to take a seat. The green boy flopped down beside him.

"What is it Jaune?"

Jaune stared out into the forest, contemplating his answer for a moment.

"Things got bad in Banner, huh?" He finally decided on.

His brother nodded. "Yeah."

"Kinda makes you think, doesn't it?"

The boy hummed. "Are we going somewhere with this?"

The blond sighed. "I'm trying to build to a point."

Ren gave him a small smile. "You're not terribly subtle about it."

"Damn, and here I thought that was my strong suit."

The ninja chuckled. "I'm afraid not."

Jaune shrugged. "Well, I tried. You want the blunt version?"

"By all means."

"You and Nora need to be together together."

He raised an eyebrow. "My, that is blunt."

"So?"

"I don't believe so."

"Any particular reason why not?" There was no anger in his voice, no judgement.

"Jaune…you don't understand."

"I hear that a lot. It's mostly true, but it always true if you don't talk to me about it."

The boy sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "You've got a family waiting for you. But Nora and I? We're all each other has anymore." He winced. "I didn't mean that you don't-"

Jaune raised a hand. "It's different, I get it."

The boy relaxed. "I just…I can't afford to lose that, Jaune. Especially because I get greedy and want more. What we have is enough…even if it doesn't feel like it sometimes."

"Is it enough for her?"

"I'm not sure what you mean."

Jaune snorted. "Come on, we both know you're smarter than me. You see the way she looks at you."

A silence settled over the two as they stared out into the distance. Finally, Jaune sighed and spoke.

"Let me try explaining it a different way. You know what was between Pyrrha and me right?, Or rather what didn't get to be."

He waited for his friend to nod before continuing.

"I let that pass me by. I hated myself for it for a long time. Honestly, I still might a little. But you know what saved me too, right?"

"Yang."

He nodded. "And I get scared of screwing that up all the time. Or her getting hurt." He shuddered. "Gods, but if she got hurt because of me…"

Ren rested a hand on his shoulder. "Jaune, it's ok."

The blond shook his head and smiled in thanks. "Yeah, sorry, getting off topic. Look man, when we were pulling out of Banner, I was drained. I had nothing left. I was just so damn tired of it. The fighting, the dying, the anger. There was only one thing that made it ok, and that's who I had in my arms." He sighed. "I can't promise you that something won't go wrong, but…I'm happy with my choice. That's all I wanted to tell you."

Ren hummed. "I'll think on what you've said, but…maybe I'm not as a brave as you."

Jaune laughed. "If that's the case, we're all in trouble."

The ninja shook his head and held out his hand. "Well, I'll tell you one thing for sure, I'm not brave enough to keep Nora waiting any longer."

The blond grinned as he took his friend's hand. "You and me both, brother."

Blake was having hard time remembering Yang being this excited, which was saying something. Well, excluding times not involving a certain blond knight.

"So you guys are mercenaries!? Soldiers of fortune? That's so cool!" The blonde brawler cried as she leaned across the table set up in the Alert facility.

Coco chuckled. "I mean, it sounds really cool, but you'd be shocked at how boring it is."

Yats grunted from his place beside her. "Boring means safe, which is always preferable."

Blake couldn't see the girl's eyes, but got the distinct feeling that she was rolling them.

"Yeah, yeah, big guy. We get it, 'order is always preferable to chaos.' What else you got for us? Are my lucky numbers 7, 23, and 30?" She quipped.

Yang snorted as the giant shift uncomfortably in his seat. "I do not sound like that." He said.

"Suuurrreee." The girl in brown mocked as she pinched at his cheeks. "Don't worry, we still love you, you giant fortune cookie."

"We don't even make those. You Valerians thought it was 'cool.'" He grumbled.

Coco pulled down her glasses and winked at them. "Isn't he adorable when he pouts?"

Yang smirked. "How'd you guys get started anyway?"

Yats cleared his throat. "That's a lengthy tale. Well, in the aftermath of the Beacon incident, we determined-"

"We were poor. We saw that people were willing to pay top lien for Grimm extermination. We ain't poor no more." Coco finished for him.

He glared at her. "I'd like to think that there were a few more noble motivations than that."

"Oh yeah. People needed help and all that too."

Weiss just shook her head. "Well, I for one think it shows initiative that you managed to start your own business…regardless of motives."

Coco raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? I don't think your big sis agrees."

The ex-heiress pulled back. "Winter? I can't see her being unpleasant."

"She didn't look too thrilled when we were pulling out of Banner."

The girl in white scoffed. "It was trying times. If she had been calmer, you would have gotten a different reaction."

"Where's Adel?" They heard a familiar voice call from the entrance of the facility.

"You were saying?" Yang teased, as they turned to see Winter standing in the door, scanning over the room.

"She does not appear pleased." The giant of a man commented.

"Gee Yats, you think?" Coco quipped, before raising her hand and waving. "Yo! Tin-woman. Over here."

The Specialist scowled as she began walking over to their table. "I'd like to speak with you."

The younger Huntress spread her arms wide. "I'm right here."

The scowl deepened. "Alone."

"Kinky."

"Adel, let's go." Winter commanded.

The girl in brown slipped out of her chair and stood eye to eye with the Specialist.

"I don't work for you Tinny."

"My name is Winter." She growled back.

"And mine's Coco. What do you want?"

"I want you to understand how to command structure works here. You're going to need it, if you plan on sticking around."

Coco tsked. "Well, the money's right, but the company could be better. I'll think about it."

"You're in or you're out. No one is dancing around while lives are on the line. Are you working with us or not?"

The other girl leaned in. "Maybe we will get out. Leave you to your little campaign here. It's going great by the way, really killing it out there."

"Then Atlas thanks you for your service. The door's that way."

Coco scoffed. "What stick do you have up your ass anyway?"

"The one that involves unlicensed mercenaries running around my camp."

"We saved your ass!" Coco snapped.

"And I've thanked you. Now, what we're going to do next is find out where you fit in the order of things."

"I think that I've got a pretty good idea. Maybe you want me to show you?" Coco growled.

Winter blinked, then tilted her head to the side. "Are you…threatening me?"

"And if I am?"

Winter snorted, before bursting out into laughter. Coco shifted uncomfortably in place.

"Um…I."

Winter shook her head. "I'm sorry, it's just been so long! Please, continue."

"I-."

"Oh! Tell me the part about you being the youngest to ever become a Specialist." Winter slapped a hand on the younger girl's shoulder, giving it a hard squeeze. "Or maybe about how you have a camp full of trained killers backing you up." She snapped her fingers. "I know! What about how there's a glyph beneath my feet right now? No, don't look down! You'll spoil it!" She said, as she brought her hand up under Coco's chin, tilting her head up. She leaned in close, staring into the girl's eyes.

"Oh, I forget, that's all me." She said coldly. "I want you to listen, and listen good Coco. I'll try to put it in terms you understand. I'm the boss here, and if you ever get confused about that, you come find me." She smiled brightly. "Do we understand each other?"

The girl gawked at her for a moment, mouth working wordlessly, before breaking out into a grin.

"I think I'm in love. You're a bad bitch. Ma'am."

Winter smirked. "I have that effect on people and yes, I am. Now, you're late for your in briefing with Chief Zane. Best hurry."

Coco shrugged and turned to her team. "You heard the boss lady, I guess we're moving out."

The rest of CFVY groaned and made their way to their feet, slowly making their way towards the door. Velvet waved cheerily as she headed out, while Fox grunted at them. Only Yats stopped in front of Winter, bowing to the woman.

"It's an honor to meet you, Specialist Schnee."

Winter shot a glance over to Coco.

"I approve of him."

The girl smiled and nudged the large man. "Yeah, we like him too."

"Tick tock, Ms. Adel."

The girl in brown leaned over to the giant. "She's a fan." She mock whispered.

"Bye Ms. Adel."

The girl sighed and started walking towards the exit. "Bye boss lady. See you soon." She said as she aimed a swat at the woman's rear that Winter caught.

"Chief will fill you in on the sexual harassment policy as well."

"I tell you Yats, nobody wants to have any fun." The girl grumbled as she walked off.

Winter shook her head and took a seat beside her sister. "Some people."

"Well, you are an acquired taste." Weiss informed her.

Blake snorted. "If there has ever been a case of the pot calling the kettle black…"

Weiss scoffed. "I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you over your past as a terrorist. Was there something you'd like to share?"

"You're right, I should be running a giant faunus rights violation instead." The dark-haired girl quipped.

"To be fair, we've both been disowned." Winter said.

"And I'm not a terrorist…anymore."

"But you did date Adam. I feel like that's bonus points on the poor life choices spectrum." Yang added.

Blake sighed. "Thank you, partner. I appreciate your input."

The blonde shrugged. "Hey, I'm here to help."

"No one needs your brand of help."

Weiss hummed. "I appreciated her input."

"I agree." Winter added.

Blake rolled her eyes. "Shocking."

Yang wrapped an arm around her friend. "Awww, is kitty grumpy?"

"I will stab you."

Yang sighed as she let the girl go. "As exciting as that sounds, I actually need to talk to Winter here. Alone."

Weiss sighed. "Did we not just go through this song and dance? Can there be no peace in this camp?"

Yang rolled her eyes. "Relax Weiss-cream. I just wanna talk."

She snorted. "I've heard that one before."

"Weiss." Winter cut in. "I can take care of myself, and I don't believe your friend means any harm." She shot a meaningful look towards Yang, who nodded eagerly.

She huffed. "Fine. Blake, let's go somewhere and be sane together."

"Did that hurt you to say?" The faunus quipped.

"Fine, let's go somewhere and I'll be sane." Weiss corrected as she rose. "Try to be cordial." She pleaded as she made her way to the other side of the room.

Yang just shook her head. "She always expects the worst of me."

"Oh? I thought she was talking to me." Winter responded, before looking to the blonde. "You wanted to talk?"

Yang smiled nervously. "Yeah…I did."

"And?"

"I saw what you did with Blake…I appreciate it. I know she does too."

"I'm capable of realizing when I might have overreacted. Is that all you wanted? There really wasn't any need."

The blonde sighed. "Look, I'm not really any good at this, but I think…I want to apologize."

Winter raised an eyebrow. "You think?"

"See? I told you I wasn't very good at this." She groaned.

Winter chuckled. "Truth be told, I'm not either."

Yang gave her a small smile. "I've been…a bit of bitch towards you." Winter gave her a confused look. "Well, not always towards you, but because of you. I don't know why, I just-" She growled. "I don't know."

Winter smirked. "I may have some experience with being a bit of a bitch."

Yang laughed. "I saw. That was awesome by the way."

"Perhaps a bit overboard."

Yang shook her head. "Coco loved it. She was just pushing your buttons, seeing what you'd do."

"Apparently, become overly territorial."

"I'm familiar with the feeling."

"Our local knight, then?"

The blonde nodded slowly. "Yeah. I uh, may have gotten a wee bit jealous when I we got here."

"I've never made a move on your relationship." The Specialist pointed out.

"No, it's not you, it's me." Yang rushed out, before chuckling at the realization of what she'd said. "Wow, that's a tired line." She sighed. "Maybe it's a little you."

Winter raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Yang hummed. "You're just…you're TOO good, you know?"

"I have several reports from your uncle to the contrary."

Yang smiled. "Yeah, he's a harsh critic. Also, maybe not your best source. But you…you're beautiful, you're successful, you're smart, you're elegant." She winced. "You're a lot of things I'm not. A lot of things that Jaune likes. You kinda scare me in that way."

Winter leaned forward in her seat. "You're scared of me? As in you're afraid that I have something that you don't, and we're competing in some way?"

"It's dumb. I know it's dumb."

The older woman scoffed. "It's a little dumb, but frankly, I'm just flattered."

"Ummm, why?"

Winter snorted as she took a seat across from her. "Let me let you in on a little secret. We have something in our tent called 'Yang time,' Jaune assured me you'd appreciate the pun. Do you know what that is?"

Yang gave her a small smile a shook her head. "No."

"Jaune gets an hour to talk about you when he gets back to the tent. One hour, because otherwise, he'd never shut the hell up." She threw her hands up in the air. "Yang's so cool, Yang's so smart, Yang's so gorgeous, Yang's hair looks amazing when it crackles and glows with her Semblance, she's such a good sister, my sisters will love her, I love her." She sighed. "It literally NEVER ends. So, when that girl says she's jealous of me?" She shrugged. "It's good for my self-esteem."

The blonde-haired girl blushed and looked away. "I'm not sure if I want to kiss or kill him."

Winter shrugged. "That's on you. Just leave me out of it."

Yang eyed the older woman. "Like you stayed out of it when Jaune and I had our little impromptu rendezvous?"

The Specialist huffed. "Jaune told."

The brawler grinned. "Jaune is a terrible secret keeper."

"Well then, I assume we'll just have to return the favor." She smirked. "I assume that you have embarrassing stories from your time linked with him. Care to swap some?"

Yang's grin grew to impossible portions as she leaned across the table.

"Do I?!"

Jaune felt a chill run down his spine. Somewhere, someway, a female in his life was betraying him.

He just knew it.

He shook his head and tried to focus. He'd come to the meeting early for a reason. Whatever advantage he could get in this discussion, no matter how small, was one he'd need. And so, he'd come early, both the scout out the area, and so they were coming to him.

"You get anxious too?"

He almost jumped out of his skin as he spun to meet the voice, letting out a relieved breath when his eyes fell on a surprised Ruby. She smiled sheepishly at him.

"Sorry, didn't mean to sneak up on you."

He laughed. "You're hanging out with Blake too much."

"Maybe…or maybe you're just not used to thinking so hard." She teased.

He smiled. "Can't it be both?"

She laughed. "Penny for your thoughts?"

He sighed. "Rubes…you ever get…frustrated with all this? The secrets I mean?"

She hummed. "Yeah. I mean, we should all be on the same team, right? Us vs Salem. There's only two ways this ends that I can see." She said.

He nodded. "I just…I feel like we're not in the 'circle of trust' half the time. I can't stand the thought of someone getting hurt because of it." He ran a hand through his hair. "Thanks for asking for me to be here by the way."

She waved it off. "Thanks for coming. I would have been nervous on my own." She shifted uncomfortably for a moment. "Though, if we're being honest, there's a few things that I'm ok with being secrets…for now."

It clicked. "The silver eyes."

She nodded. "It's a lot of pressure. I don't even know how they work, but I feel like everyone's relying on me to figure it out. I'm…nervous about it spreading any further." She sighed. "Maybe that's selfish."

He scoffed and put a hand on her shoulder. "Not at all. People keep talking about legends and myths when they talk about your eyes, that shit would drive me crazy." He squeezed her shoulder. "But you're just Rubes to us, always will be."

She gave him a weak smile. "Thanks."

"No problem. How are you feel-"

"Nope! You already chose one. You don't get to go the Tai route!"

Ruby groaned. "Drunkle Qrow! It's not like that!"

The man shook his head as he walked up to them, Oscar in tow.

"Sure looks like that."

"Well it's not!" She shouted back.

Jaune raised an eyebrow. "Or maybe it is? Who knows?"

Oscar snickered as Ruby's jaw dropped in betrayal and Qrow growled.

"Not sure why I tolerate you kid."

"Pretty sure it's because I'm one of the only people alive that can tolerate you."

"Hey, we can fix that alive part." The older Hunter offered.

Oscar shook his head and looked to Ruby.

"Is this their mating dance?"

She shuddered. "Oh Gods, the mental pictures."

Jaune laughed. "Well, now that we're finished scarring everyone. How you doing Oscar?"

The boy shrugged. "I think I'm still breathing."

Jaune smiled. "Then we're in the same place." He held out a fist to the boy, which he merrily bumped. "You did great out there man, I think I might owe you one."

"I'll hold you to that."

"How does a sparring session later sound? I've always wanted to get my ass kicked by a twelve-year-old."

The boy scoffed. "Fourteen and a half, and you're on."

Qrow rolled his eyes. "We gotta get this over with before I get diabetes." He nudged Oscar. "You sure you're feeling up to it kid? I'm not going to force you."

The boy nodded. "Yeah, I think I'm good. Can you just give me a minute?"

The Hunter nodded back. "Take your time, kid."

Oscar closed his eyes, and a scowl overtook his face. The three looked on with fascination and concern as the young man grunted and sweated, till his eyes snapped open with a flash of light, and he panted heavily. Qrow reached out and rubbed the boy's back.

"Oz?" He asked carefully.

The headmaster nodded. "Yes, but I'm afraid we don't have much time. Qrow, could you please start us off? I need a moment."

"Sure." He turned towards the two team leaders. "Ok, let's skip to the good part. A lot of shit went down in Banner, and we need to sort it with a quickness. By my count, we've got Specialist weapons in terrorist hands, Grimm avoiding the Fang, and a VERY public use of the silver eyes. Thanks for the save by the way Short-Stack."

The girl smiled. "Always."

Qrow shot her a smile, before steeling himself. "We got any ideas?"

Jaune shrugged. "Is there any history of the Grimm acting that way?"

Ozpin sighed. "Not without Salem being directly involved."

"What about that one guy? Marlin?" Qrow asked.

The headmaster hummed. "Merlot. His research was along those lines, but he died in the Mountain Glenn incident."

"Could someone have picked up the torch?" Jaune asked.

Qrow shrugged. "Anything's possible Angst-Knight. I just can't think of anyone that fits the bill."

Ozpin winced. "There was one."

"You guys gonna fill us in, or…" Ruby cut in.

Qrow sighed. "Jimmy's old partner. Guy was mad as a fuckin hatter, but he was a tech wiz. Might explain the weapons too."

"This guy got a name?" Jaune asked.

The Hunter grunted. "Arthur Watts. Weapons grade asshole. The only issue with that theory, is that Jimmy dropped the bastard himself."

Ruby shifted uncomfortably. "Why?"

"The revolution was dirty Short-Stack. Real dirty. Even after it was over, there were power struggles. If it helps, the running conspiracy theory was that Watts is to thank for all Jimmy's spare parts. Legend goes that he was the one that set up a bomb at the peace accords that the old Council and Jimmy had set up. Didn't like the idea of being in old Ironwood's shadow after it was all said and done." He winced. "That added another month onto the war. The worst one, cause nobody thought it was ending with anything other than an unconditional surrender anymore."

"Shit." Jaune hissed.

"IF he survived, it's possible." Ozpin agreed. "I'm sure James is of the same mind."

Qrow hummed. "Which brings us to the cyborg elephant in the room."

Ruby cocked her head to the side. "What about him?"

The Hunter grimaced. "We're hearing that he's coming here."

"Why?" Jaune asked.

"Officially, one of his towns was just destroyed, he'd be lax in his duties as a commander not to come assess the situation personally, make sure that the citizens of Banner are being cared for." Ozpin answered, before sighing. "Unofficially, I believe he might have other interest in mind as well."

"Me." Ruby said glumly.

"Quite, Ms. Rose."

"Jimmy's not the type to make a direct play for you, but he'll try to talk you into it. He's going to want to make you into a public figure, a beacon. I don't know if you've wandered near the refugee camp Short-Stack, but you're the talk of the town…so to speak. They've even got a name for you."

"I know." She whispered.

Jaune looked between the two in confusion. "What is it?"

"Azrael. It's the angel of death and renewal in some of the older Atlesian religions." The Hunter explained. "Sorry Rubes, but this is out. We'll try to keep it as contained as possible, but word of this will spread eventually, with or without Jimmy's help."

The girl hung her head, and Jaune placed a hand on her back, before looking pleadingly up at Qrow.

"Are we good?"

Qrow winced and nodded. "Yeah, I think so. You good Oz?"

"Yes, I believe we are." The headmaster agreed. "Ms. Rose, know that you won't face the fallout of Banner alone we will be here for you, whatever comes of it."

"Thank you." She said weakly.

With that, Ozpin gasped, and his eyes flashed once more, before the boy collapsed to his knees. Oscar panted frantically as he looked around nervously.

"You ok, kid?" Qrow asked, helping slowly to his feet.

Oscar swallowed and nodded. "It's just…harder now. To go back and forth."

The older Hunter shared a quick look with the blond knight, before saying.

"Let's get you some place you can lie down. Sleep it off for a bit. Always helps me with hangovers."

"Yeah…yeah, that sounds good." The boy responded tiredly, before allowing himself to be led off.

Jaune frowned as he watched the two go, mind racing to try to figure out what it all meant.

"You're worried about him." Ruby stated from beside him.

He sighed. "I'm worried about a lot of things right now Rubes. I just don't want to see Oscar get hurt, you know?"

"Yeah, me too." She agreed.

They stood there, for the first time in a long time, in an awkward silence. It was almost enough to make him laugh. When had been the last time? The dance? Gods, but that seemed an eternity ago.

"Hey Jaune?" A voice stirred him from his thoughts.

"Yeah?"

"There's uh, something else that's been bothering me, and…well, I was gonna ask Qrow, but…I thought you might be able to understand better."

He turned towards her fully and gave her a small smile. "Of course, Rubes, whatever you need. What's up?"

She shuffled from foot to foot, not meeting his eyes.

"Ruby, we're team JNRR. You can tell me anything." He comforted.

She shot him a look. "It's RNJR. JNRR isn't a color." He watched as some of the tension flowed out of her, and she let out a slow breath. "Back at Banner, we were trying to find survivors. Trying to get them to the bullheads, you know?"

He nodded slowly, and waited for her to continue.

She grimaced. "It was pretty bad. We had to go house to house, and in a lot of the houses…people didn't make it."

"Ruby I-." She held up a hand, stopping him.

"But we pushed on. We had to, right? But we started to get tired, we started to let things slip. Not checking a corner, walking too far out in the open…" She trailed off, before shaking her head and steeling herself again. "Blake was walking out of a house, and she didn't see him. I saw him, sitting on the rooftop across the street. She was too far away for me to get her attention above all the noise, so I..." She swallowed. "I shot at him." Her eyes met his, desperately searching for something. "Jaune, I don't think he had Aura." She whispered.

An image flashed in his mind. A shield falling again and again on a silver-haired man as he struggled…till he struggled no more. He remembered the flood of emotions. The pride, the horror, the doubt.

He was on her in an instant, wrapping her in a tight embrace. "It's ok. It's ok." He promised.

He could feel her shoulders rack up and down as she pressed into him.

"I just..I had to! He was going to hurt her!"

"I know." He whispered as he stroked her hair.

"I got scared!"

"I know."

She pushed back against his chest, and looked with pleading eyes. "What am I supposed to feel?" She asked.

The answer broke his heart.

"I don't know."

Her form slumped against him, and he caught her chin, tilting her head up.

"But I'll tell you what I do know. You're still the same Ruby Rose. You think I'm still the same Jaune Arc, right? After what I did?"

She sniffled. "Of course."

"Then we'll figure the rest out together. Qrow helped me. Told me it was ok to be confused, ok for it to stick with you."

"How long does it stay with you?"

He shook his head. "That's one of those things we're going to have to figure out together. You know how else helped me?"

"Yang?" She guessed.

He smiled at her. "Got it in one. I think you should tell her. I'll be there if you want."

She nodded.

"Yeah, ok. Why don't you go find her? I'll be by in minute, I promise, I just gotta take care of something for the team."

She nodded again. "Yeah, ok." She turned and slowly started off, before turning over her shoulder. "Hey, Jaune?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks. See you in a second?"

He smiled. "Arc word."

She smiled at that, and headed back towards the camp, a bit more spring in her step this time.

He sighed. "Thanks for waiting."

Winter winced as she slid out from behind a nearby tent. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. I needed to find you, and Nora had said…"

He held up a hand. "It's ok, I get it. When did you get here?"

She sighed. "At the end of her story. If it's any consolation, you did well. That's never easy."

"I appreciate it. I feel like the blind leading the blind."

Her gaze traveled over him. "I didn't know about you either."

His hand rose to rub his arm uncomfortably as he studied the ground. "I…I don't really like to talk about it."

She nodded. "I understand. If you decide you want to…"

"Thanks." He whispered.

"Of course."

He looked up at her. "What was it that you wanted to talk about."

She frowned. "This is terrible timing."

He chuckled. "Is there another kind I'm unaware of?"

She shook her head. "That is sadly accurate for us. I assume you've heard the rumors that General Ironwood is coming here? Half the camp probably does by now."

"Yeah, I heard."

She hummed. "I have to escort him here. I'm his bodyguard."

He laughed at that. "He seems like a pretty strong guy, I don't know if he really needs one. No offense."

She smirked. "You're right, the position is mostly ceremonial. It's honestly for my benefit, though he'd never admit it."

"How so?"

"I get to be seen by THE General Ironwood consistently, as a member of his inner circle. I think it's his way of setting the stage for me down the line."

Jaune raised an eyebrow. "Wow."

"Wow indeed. Don't worry, I have plenty of opportunities to get fired between now and then."

He shook his head. "Somehow I doubt that'll happen."

She shrugged. "We'll see, but more importantly, that means I won't be here."

He nodded. "Yep."

"And the Beowolves need an officer."

"Who's filling in?"

She stared at him hard. "Jaune, please. You can't be that dense."

He scowled. "I don't…" His eyes widened. "No way!"

"Yes way."

"But Chief!" He argued.

"Will help you every step of the way, but they need someone in the field, someone they know. They need you Jaune."

He swallowed. "I don't know-."

She placed a hand on his shoulder. "But I do. You're ready for this. Everyone gets nervous, being nervous just means you care." She gave him a small shake. "Just try to keep it contained around the team, ok? Stevens will tease you till the end of your days." She joked.

He met her gaze. "Winter…I." He steeled himself. "I won't let you down."

She smiled. "I know. Now, let's make it official, shall we?"

He shifted. "Do I, uh, kneel?"

She scoffed. "I'm not knighting you." She snapped to attention, and he quickly moved to do the same. "I Specialist Winter Schnee, relinquish the leadership of the Beowolves bullhead assault team to Specialist Jaune Arc. Do you accept this responsibility?"

"I do."

She snapped a salute, which he returned, before breaking into an easy smile.

"Now, acting First Class Specialist Arc, I believe you had a mission you were about the execute. One involving meeting with the Ursa team lead?"

He smiled back. "Yeah. Hey Winter?"

"Hmm?"

"Thanks."

"Anytime. Now as my last acting command, get going, you're behind schedule already."

He didn't have to be told twice.

Letter to a Father

Dear Mr. Nikos,

I hope you're doing well. I'm sorry it's been so long since we wrote, but we've been on the road a lot. Got drafted (I think) into the Atlas military, which has been interesting.

Interesting is actually a pretty mild word. We've been teased, shot at, hazed, and trained pretty much non-stop since we got here.

I think Pyrrha would have loved it.

People seem to care about who you are less here, and more about what you can do. It's about what you add to the team. She always loved the team.

Our officer actual kinda reminds me of her. She's famous, strong willed, ridiculously strong, smart, and most importantly - keeps me humble. She is a bit angrier that Pyrrha though...if a bit was roughly the size of a house.

Nora says that she wants you to know that she's going to bring you a flower back from Atlas to add to the gardens.

Ren wants you to know that he'll keep the flower alive for you.

Tell Athena...I'm sorry. I know that's not enough.

I wanted you to know that I remember my promise. I'll bring her weapons home when we're done.

Arc's word.

Your Friend,

Jaune Arc

Dear Jaune,

You've been drafted? Bad business that. It's been a long time since I was in the military, but remember to pack your shower shoes, and find out what your bunkmates love...and use it as barter material.

It sounds like you're getting the full military experience then, my boy! I'm sure you'll get your head shaved at some point or something. Just try to not let it get too crazy. Wouldn't do to come home with a ridiculous tattoo.

We'd always wondered about suggesting the military for Pyrrha. Get her away from the fame a bit. I'm glad your unit is taking care of you.

It warms an old man's heart to hear you describe our daughter so. And I wouldn't be so sure about that anger gap. You should have seen some of that girl's temper tantrums. You ever find any of your metal items bent after a tiff? I bet you have.

Tell Nora that we're excited to see it, and we'd be honored to add it.

Tell Ren thank you for ensuring it gets here.

Athena has calmed over the months. Oh, she still acts angry, but your letters have a strange habit of ending up on her side of the counter after I finish with them.

I believe you son. Stay safe, that's all I ask.

Your Friend,

Hephaestus Nikos

JJD: The plot thickens. Things are slowly and inevitably coming to a head, and we'll only keep pressing forward from here. Thanks as always for reading.

Fight Nerd: It's always a weird feeling when someone that you've been teaching gets the better of you. You never mad (not a them, maybe yourself if you got lazy), but it's a weird place between pride and a desire to do better, to maintain your place. I imagine it's what it's like when your kids start beating you at stuff. To be fair to Winter, she was outnumbered three to one.

Also, I'd like to throw a fic recommendation out there. Pathfinder z0mbi3sh0t's recently published "Real Like You,' is a Blade Runner-esque thriller, I which someone at Beacon is not who they seem. Both more and less than human. It's shaping up to be a fun ride!