A/N: This chapter was an absolute grind, requiring at least three different reworks at one point. Hope you enjoy it! Sorry it took so long to get out.

On another note, we're over 11,000 views! Thank you all so, so much!

A slurry of texts make your scroll buzz in your hand.

We're going to that taphouse in downtown. Think it was called Three Bears or something like that. –Jaune

Yes. Three Bears Bar.-Ren

Ren, you're sitting right next to us. –Nora

And you're responding. –Ren

Blake's voice beckons you away from your screen. "Guess we're driving there?"

You're still sitting on the edge of your bed beside Weiss, who is looking over your shoulder at your scroll.

"If you all want to go ahead and head out, Blake and I will follow once we get cleaned up." Yang shrugs out of Blake's arms and starts to undress. Her girlfriend doesn't go anywhere. In fact, she's watching intently.

Weiss pipes up, looking at Yang then to Ruby. "I'll drive. Better to have to bigger vehicle there in case we need more seats to get back. I don't really plan on drinking too much." She stands up, offering an arm to help you up.

You take it, responding to Weiss. "Sure. We can head out now. You coming, Ruby?"

Ruby's eyes flit between you and Weiss for a moment too long. "Y'know…" she says, slowly, "I'm gonna wait up for Blake and my sister."

Weiss's head whips around fast enough to make her ponytail bounce over her shoulder and smack into your face.

As you recoil, Yang calls out, "Whoa, Ice Queen. What's that look?" You're still brushing strands of hair out of your face by the time she shakes her head and calls for you.

"Alright, Switch. Come on." Weiss's gaze is narrowed at Ruby as she steps towards the door at the back of the hangar. As you step outside, the night sky grabs your attention with how bright and clear the stars are tonight. Remnant's scattered moon is sharp, as the lack of light pollution from the airfield only brightens the border between each piece and the darkness behind it.

Your gaze is quickly interrupted by the sudden blast of two jets spinning up to full afterburner and taking off. While the noise is momentarily deafening, you can't help but wonder at how the flames behind the pair look like shooting stars.

Weiss's car is a large white luxury SUV, lifted a few inches from stock with aftermarket wheels and tires. It sits outside the back of the hangar and greets you with cold leather seats when you climb in.

As Weiss turns the key, you pull out your scroll and begin to page through applications for one that will give you directions. "Do you know how to get there, or do you need me to navigate?"

"I've got it." After replying to you, she raises her voice slightly, each word particularly more enunciated. "Route to Three Bears Bar in downtown Vale."

A synthetic male voice responds through the speakers of the car. "Calculating route. Estimated time to arrival, 26 minutes."

"Thanks, Klein." Weiss drops the car into reverse and turns to start backing away from the hangar.

"Klein?"

In the moonlight, you catch her smiling. "Yeah. I mentioned that my family was pretty wealthy. He was one of the butlers that took care of me after mother was killed. The car's voice sounded like one of his."

"Huh. What was he like?"

Weiss glances at you, taking a moment to think through her answer. "Well… I never knew my mother very well. I've heard Ruby and Yang refer to their parents as 'mom and dad,' but… I was always told to call her 'mother.' My father was the same way, and still is. Too concerned with the war and meetings with generals and politicians."

She pauses, letting out a breath and starting to smile a bit wider. "Klein was like a mom and dad to me at the same time… In his free time, he taught me to play piano. He would tell me fairy tales from his own childhood, but also stories about battles and wars that were waged long before this one. I never asked him to, but he almost always had a full pot of hot chocolate ready for when I came in from the Atlas cold. Just… little things like that that make your childhood that much better."

Your seat is very upright. Uncomfortable, like sitting cross-legged for too long. You reach for the side of it, looking for a lever or button that would incline it backwards more. You find an electronic switch that slowly eases your seat rearward into a more comfortable position.

As you pull out onto the main road to take you off of the base, you roll the window down to let the cool autumn air flood the car. That's when you notice just how clean Weiss's car is, especially for how big it is. Every piece of trim is free of dust, while the vinyl of the dash shines and reflects the light off the street lamps.

Only two things indicate the fact that this car didn't just roll out of the showroom. The first is the small metal pendant of a fantasy-looking rapier hanging from the rearview mirror. The other is the pistol holster pinned to Weiss's door, accompanied by two fully loaded magazines in the cupholders.

Relaxing even more, she takes one hand off of the wheel. "What about you?"

"Huh?" You turn to look back at her, noticing the smile still across her face. Something in the back of your mind floats that maybe that smile came from you.

"Tell me something new about you."

You glance around the SUV again, trying to find out what story would be suitable to tell her. As you study the fancy buttons, controls, and interfaces in an attempt to draw your gaze away from Weiss's pistol, you think through your past. What would make her laugh? Or… what would keep her smiling? "Well, I've got one. Just a funny, embarrassing story from my childhood…"

"Those are the best kind…"

You bring a hand up to rub the back of your neck. "Okay. Here goes…"

…

Weiss bursts out laughing at the end of your story, trying to cover her mouth and keep her eyes on the road at the same time. You join her in laughter, feeling a new swell of pride at the fact that you made her laugh.

"Wow, Switch. I wish I would've known you as a kid." She shakes her head, calming down from what you just told her. "You had to have been absolutely hilarious…"

"Something like that. I wish I grew up with you and Klein, too." You look back outside, watching the Vale skyline get closer in your view. Green and purple neon clash with the faded yellow of incandescent street lights. "I'm not sure what else I could tell you, other than maybe basic stories."

Weiss chuckles, her eyes still watching the road. The red glow of the gauge cluster highlights the curves and ridges of her face, and reveals stray strands of hair that she wears out of the ponytail. "Then tell me another basic story."

You page through the files in your mind, trying to think back to that time. The funny thing about basic is how stupid everyone gets from sleep deprivation, muscle fatigue, and constant stress. For the same reason, it's hard to remember a lot of the finer details that made certain events absolutely hilarious.

Oh. There's that story…

A grin starts to tug at the corners of your mouth as you remember it. "Ever called a ma'am a sir, or vice versa?"

"C'mon. It was basic. If you say you didn't do it at least once, you're a liar." Weiss rests her hand on the transmission knob, leaning a bit closer to you.

"Well, was it to Glynda Goodwitch?"

Weiss's eyes widen and glance at you. "You mouthed off to Colonel Goodwitch?

"Yes. Yes I did. Worst case scenario. She put that little baton of hers right in my face, and had me scream that little basic phrase while the rest of my team was pushing. Y'know, 'ma'am, you are a ma'am, not a sir, ma'am.' It got really confusing after a while." You can't wipe the grin off of your face at the memory.

Weiss grins, too, shaking her head. "You insubordinate dolt. You know she's stationed at Beacon, right?"

Your stomach drops instantly. You hoped you would never have to see her again. "What?"

Weiss reaches over and gently pats your thigh. "Relax, Y/N. I'm sure she's completely forgotten about you."

Klein's synthetic voice comes through the speakers. "In a quarter mile, turn left, and the destination will be on your right."

"Thanks, Klein." Weiss slows down and makes a left turn at a stoplight, giving you a good view of a building decorated with a sign stating "Three Bears Bar." Next to the main entrance is a lifelike wooden carving of a bear, set off into the homey landscaping scattered around the door.

As Weiss shuts the engine off in the parking lot, you climb out and slip your hands into your pockets. Weiss's ponytail swings towards you in the wind as you walk inside, also carrying the familiar scent of her perfume to you, a stark contrast to the savory smell of grilled food wafting from the bar.

When you push open the front door, Nora waves at you from a table at the corner of the bar. "Switch! Over here!"

You smile and offer a gentle wave back, and start to make your way to the table where the rest of JNPR is sitting.

In contrast to the Crow Bar, Three Bears Bar is the picturesque form of the word "taphouse." The bar counter is adorned with at least two dozen tap handles, most of which you don't recognize. The low lighting and hardwood floors cast the whole place in amber light. Even Weiss's fair skin appears a shade darker. The walls are decorated with memorabilia reminiscent of a hunting cabin. Above the bar hangs a large painting depicting a young woman sharing a mug of beer with three unique bears.

The bar is fairly crowded for it being an evening. It's surprising that JNPR was even able to find a table. Glasses clink together and the gentle hum of friendly conversation echoes throughout the building.

A waiter at register by the bar smiles at you when you lock gazes. "Be right with you!"

You put a hand up, shaking your head and waving him off. "Take your time. We're waiting on three more."

Weiss sits down beside Ren, who suddenly pulls her close and whispers something that you can't quite make out.

You pull your chair out as the waiter approaches and asks you, "Can I start you off with any drinks while you wait?"

You glance over at the tap handles, eyeing each one to see if you know (and prefer) any one in particular. Honestly, you recognize none of them. Time for a random pick. "I'll start off with-"

Weiss catches your arm, causing you to turn and lock eyes with her. The sudden seriousness and bearing that reflects across her face tells you all that you need to know. Not now.

The natural smile across your face fades to a look similar to Weiss's. "Actually, sir… I'm going to hold off and hit you up later."

"Oh. Well, I'll be back." The waiter shoves his leather notebook into a pocket and heads away, checking on other tables.

Your attention is only on the people currently at your table. You lean over to Weiss, shifting your chair closer as well. "What's going on?"

You see Jaune and Pyrrha look down at their hands on the table. Ren and Nora glance at eachother. Even Nora's eyes are drooped, switching between you, Weiss, and Ren. Her hands are calmly resting in her lap.

Jaune speaks up, breaking the silence at the table. "We'll tell you when the rest of the team gets here."

"Speak of the devils and we shall appear!" Yang calls from behind you. She waves at the table and pulls a chair out, but instead ushers Blake into it. The blonde ends up sitting beside you, with Ruby on the other side of Blake.

Nobody says anything to the team's entrance, an awkward pause that seems to draw everything to a standstill. Even the conversations and greetings happening around you seem to fade away.

"Something wrong?" Blake tosses the obvious question out.

"Yeah. Just like you all, we were on a mission today." Pyrrha sighs, glancing at each of her team members before covering Jaune's hand on the table with her own. "It was in Vacuo. Back in Abbeyton."

You remember Abbeyton. The place where Ruby got shot. Where BRNZ saved your ass.

All of RWBY is silent; hushed breaths and stoic gazes on Pyrrha. They remember Abbeyton, too. Maybe too well.

"All of a sudden, this flight of half a dozen Nevermores comes up on radar, from out to sea. Jaune and I engaged while Ren and Nora tried to get away."

Six Nevermores? From what you know, Jaune and Pyrrha are great pilots with excellent planes, but those odds are near impossible.

Ruby leans forward. "Pyrrha. What happened? What's going on?"

She glances down to her lap and back up. "Well… BRNZ. That one team that saved you in Abbeyton? Helicopters don't stand a chance against-"

Jaune interrupts. "They were wiped out. Both birds. Gone in an instant."

Ruby's eyes go wide. You hear Weiss's breath catch just as you feel both of Yang's hands fall to the table with a heavy thud. Even Blake looks down into her lap, her hands curling into tight fists.

"Gone? That quickly?" Ruby's voice is a bit higher, her eyes shimmering for a moment as water gathers in them, but she blinks it away.

Ren cuts in, still relatively cool and collected, like Blake. "We thought that you might want to be the team to toast them, since they're the ones that saved your lives."

Nora slowly stands and grabs the waiter's attention. She pantomimes a circle around the table, asking for a round. You see the waiter nod out of the corner of your eye.

"This damn war…" Weiss purses her lips, looking down at her hands with a furrowed brow.

You think back to that mission. What happened right before BRNZ came in? You were in the top floor of the hardware store with Yang. The tank round nearly killed her. You were running low on ammo. Yang's eyes went red.

Everything starts speeding up in your head, with details and sensations piling on top and sending a sudden spike of adrenaline up through your chest. Everything going to hell, then BRNZ showing up. Sending a rocket into the tank. Lobbing rounds at Grimm.

Something warm wrapping around your hand pulls you away from your thoughts. Weiss's hand is wrapped around your wrist. Her hand is shaking. Or… no. Your hands are shaking. You didn't even notice... Gently, she shifts her hand to loosely lace her fingers with yours as you calm down. Her hand is steady. Solid. An anchor.

You say the first words that come to your mind. "There one minute, gone the next…"

She shakes her head, closing her eyes. "This war takes people way too quickly. I know that all too well."

The waiter makes his way to you once again, this time with a whole tray of pint glasses filled with amber liquid. He sets each one down and slides them to each member of the table. You wrap your fingers around the glass, the cool condensation on the side turning to water against your palm.

Still with the same straight face, Blake slowly raises her glass to the center of the table. "Start it, Ruby."

Ruby closes her eyes and lets out a long breath. She raises her glass, and starts to recite, "They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old."

Beside you, Weiss raises her own glass and continues, "Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn."

Blake, too, closes her eyes and follows on. "At the going down of the sun and in the morning…"

Brushing a strand of hair from her face, Yang raises her own and finishes. "We will remember them."

Not a moment later, all of JNPR lifts their pints, and echoes in unison: "We will remember them."

One by one, everyone tips their glasses back to take a swig of the amber liquid, and so do you. You set your glass back down, waiting as the silence comes over the table once again.

Minutes tick by before Yang breaks the silence. "Damn, I wish we could've bought those guys a drink or two…"

Ruby nods, one finger circling the rim of the mug after dipping into the foam. "Their drinks will never be empty again."

You decide to chime in, trying to redirect the conversation a bit. "Well, nothing we can do for them now but kick some ass in their name."

"Now you're talking," Nora pipes up from the other end of the table.

"We'll watch the skies for you, RWBY." Ren nods, leaning back in his chair.

The corners of your lips begin to tighten into a smile. "Just as soon as I get back in the fight…"

"Just as soon as we get back in the fight." Ruby corrects you.

"You know what…" Jaune picks up his glass again. "Here's to us!"

Feeling the tone of conversation begin to pick up again, you jump in, wondering if anybody knows the subtle toast you're about to propose. "Who's like us?"

Without missing a beat, Yang calls out, "Damn few!"

You tip your glass back, downing a healthy half of the pint before setting it back down. "And they're all dead."

Yang smacks her own back down on the table, completely empty save for the bits of foam rolling down the inside. "Good stuff." She looks over her shoulder, searching for the waiter once again. "Strawberry Sunrise this time. No ice. And one of those little umbrellas."

A/N: The toast that Ruby starts is an excerpt from a poem called "For the Fallen" by Robert Laurence Binyon. It was written to give remembrance to fallen soldiers in WWI. I'd highly recommend reading the rest of it.