Weiss paced her room silently. She had thousands of thoughts roaming through her mind. She leaned as she paced, a habit she thought she fixed, but apparently not. It was well into the day at this point, Ruby hadn't left her room since the happenings of the early morning, and this worried Weiss.

She knew that since getting to the temple Ruby had been more distant than during their first encounter, and that it most likely had to do with the fact that she had killed so many people, and that that number was revealed to her Team. But that didn't make Weiss feel any better.

Ruby when they were younger, was the one always rocketing around trying so hard to please everyone and be herself at the same time. The Ruby Weiss knew now was not even close to the one she remembered. The smoke that seemed to radiate of Ruby, the way she used her cigarettes as a crutch for almost everything, and then fell to alcohol when that crutch wasn't enough.

She knew Ruby had seen a lot during her time as a hitman, or assassin which ever it was, but that didn't mean Ruby should still be so distant from everyone. Weiss thought they were partners, friends, that they could talk about anything that was needed. However as the days went on she grew to learn that wasn't the case at all.

Weiss was angry, sad, upset, but she was happy to some degree. Having Ruby by her side once more brought back good memories, memories she was afraid would never take form in her real life again. Having Ruby meant she could mend the wrongs she created during Beacon, she could fix what she regretted most in life.

That was if she was brave enough to say, or act on what she felt. Weiss let out a tired sigh and came to a stop. A knock came from the door, and Weiss forced herself to relax. "Hey Weiss can I come in?" Ruby asked one Weiss opened the door. Weiss was surprised to see Ruby at her door, but quickly stepped to the side and let Ruby in. Once Weiss shut the door Ruby turned to face her partner.

"You were a general right?" Ruby asked as she played with her hands. "Yes, I was a general for the Atlesian military, why do you ask?" Weiss answered as she stood with her back straight, and her hands held tightly together behind her. "So you know about war stuff?" Ruby then asked, the way she spoke being very reminiscent of how she was years ago.

"War stuff, I was the main strategist for our war against the White Fang and Grimm for three years. I know every strategy known to man for an ideal war, I know how to train and fight any enemy," Weiss said getting offended by the way Ruby worded her job. "So yes Ruby, I do know about 'War Stuff'," she added once she realised she shouldn't attack Ruby for things she didn't know.

"I need you help then," Ruby said quickly, a hardened look in her eyes. Ruby quickly led Weiss out of the room, and down to the control room where Summer and Raven were already waiting. Weiss didn't know how to react to the room, she's never been inside of it before, and the look on Raven and Summer's face told her this wouldn't be the last time.

"Ruby, what's going on?" Weiss asked as she stepped forward to the table. Ruby place her pack of cigarettes and flask on the table and took a seat. Popping one of her cigarettes in her mouth and lighting it she answered. "We're at war," her voice was simple, soft. "And I need someone to help lead us," she added as she puffed the smoke.

"What do you mean we're at war? I know that we're in danger from your former group, but," Weiss starting scanning around the room again. It had the best tech she had ever seen for war, and she wondered how it ended up here.

"The Fall was part of a plan, to make the world we know burn," Raven answered. Weiss' eyes snapped to her and then back to Ruby. "How long have you known?" Weiss asked. Ruby kept her eyes on the table, refusing to look towards her partner. "Few days," she answered.

"Why didn't you tell me, us sooner, Ruby, you're pulling us into a war and you're keeping quiet!" Weiss said with a disgusted tone. Ruby closed her eyes and tensed. "What else have you been hiding from us?" Weiss added, her anger building as she spoke. Ruby kept quiet and Weiss quickly turned away from her. "Dust Ruby," Weiss said as she place her head in her hands.

"I didn't tell you because I'm still figuring things out," Ruby answered after several silent moments. "Can you two leave us alone for a few minutes," Ruby asked. Raven and Summer quickly left the room, leaving Ruby and Weiss alone together for what seemed like the first time since getting to the temple. "Weiss, a lot of things changed very quickly for me in a very small amount of time."

"And, my entire life was turned upside down when I entered the interrogation room of my base to see Blake sitting there," Weiss argued. Ruby again fell silent and took a long drag.

"But you were there, in the world. Ever since I left Jaune, Nora, and Ren I've been forced to stay out of the world, to do underground things. You say your life was turned upside down, well mine turned 360 degrees, then became a sphere that is constantly being thrown," Ruby answered quickly. "I learned that my Uncle is married, that my sister is married, that my partner joined the military. Then I learned I was stuck in the middle of a damn war, and that I'm a fucking Maiden in just a few days. I'm trying to figure all of this out, and more shit just keeps getting added on."

Weiss looked towards Ruby to see she was leaning on the table her cigarette in the hand that she rested her head on while the other reached for her flask. Her eyes were soft, tears threatening to escape. Ruby tried to blink the tears away but that didn't help. Weiss felt her chest grow tight at the sight of partner. Ruby shook her head slightly and glanced to Weiss. "I know I should have told you sooner but," her sentence was cut off by Weiss' lips. Ruby was caught off guard and dropped her cigarette as Weiss continued to press her lips to Ruby's.

The taste of smoke filled Weiss mouth, but she didn't care. Ruby, once the initial shock passed, relaxed into the kiss. The forgotten feeling of contact with another human made Ruby hungry for more as Weiss pulled away. Their eyes met, and Weiss wiped Ruby's tears away. "I'm sorry," Weiss said softly. "I'm so sorry," she added. Ruby's eyes were wide, and full of childhood innocence. "You were what I regretted," Weiss said as she kneeled before Ruby, her hands still on Ruby's cheeks. "I never told you then how I felt."

"You love me," Ruby said softly looking into the icy blue eyes she expected to be hard and emotionless. Those eyes however were filled with more emotion than Ruby herself has felt in ages. "Weiss," Ruby's soft voice, her soft eyes, her wall was breaking.

"Ruby, we're partners, we've both kept things from one another, from now on, let's not," Weiss said with a smile. Ruby couldn't help but smile as well and nod. Ruby leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Weiss and held her tightly.

"For years I built walls up to keep people out, because I was afraid of becoming weak in the face of my job," Ruby said softly into Weiss' ear. "You in a single swipe, were able to break those walls I spent so long building up," Ruby laughed lightly as she cried. Weiss held Ruby tightly to her, afraid that if she let go Ruby would build her walls up again.

Slowly the two pulled away from one another and smiled towards each other. "You don't need those walls anymore Ruby, you're among friends and family now," Weiss said softly. Any fear she once had of revealing her true feelings to Ruby disappeared as Ruby leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips. When Ruby pulled away she was smiling and had a small smile on her lips. "And loved ones," Ruby said softly. Weiss felt her smile shine bright as she got to her feet and pulled a chair up to the table.

Ruby knew that final kiss would mean she and Weiss would get very, very close, but she didn't care. She did care for Weiss, more so than she cared for anyone else at that moment, and she wanted someone she could trust, someone she could talk to during the days ahead. Having Weiss by her side, as someone she could trust felt right to Ruby, and those kisses lit something Ruby had long forgotten during her time as a killer.

Those kisses reminded Ruby what it was like to love and be loved. True she never was with someone romantically, but she just acted in the moment, and dust did those acts feel right. Ruby who was still high off of what just happened reached for a cigarette, and stopped in her tracks. Instead she grabbed the box and looked over them slowly.

"These were my crutch you know," Ruby said softly. Her eyes were on the small rolls and she smiled only slightly. "A way for me to cope with what I did. Azure, the first person I killed loved this brand, always smoking one. I think I picked it up from him, he always call them a little roll of death, just like I do. I think we both knew what they did to us, but we needed a way to cope, to relax," Ruby continued. Weiss looked towards Ruby but kept quiet. Ruby for the first time since she started smoking didn't flip the top to get a 'roll of death' and placed the box on the table before sliding it over to Weiss.

"Are you saying you want to quit," Weiss asked taking the box slowly. Ruby nodded then placed her flask back into her pocket. "If we fight a war, those are simply a hindrance," Ruby said softly. "And also I never really liked it in the first place," she added with a smile as Weiss placed the box in her pocket.

"So you need a general," Weiss said leaning closer to Ruby. "I think I can handle that," Weiss added with a smile.

AND IT HAPPENS!

Not a lot of buildup I know, but let me just say, this is a very important moment.

Like so important you guys can't even tell.

Like REALLY important.

Or not.

Who knows.

It's not like I enjoy teasing you guys or something.

- Nerdz :3