August 27th
City Of Vale
Vale
Downtown
8:15 PM

"I think Nattie and Ivy really like each other," Spencer said with a smile as he watched the two girls playfully poke at each other. "It's so cute. Hopefully Natalie will like her twin brothers just as much in November."

Karissa, looking particularly exhausted, sighed and didn't object to him loosely wrapping an arm around her.

James chuckled. "Ivy's very social. She loves messing with her sister, although how much Cate likes it is questionable sometimes."

"She's a cute little bean," Spencer said, glancing to the little girl who was sound asleep on the floor on an array of pillows next to her mother. "She never lets that bear out of her sight, does she?"

"She's very attached to it," Glynda told him, gently rubbing her sleeping daughter's back. "Honestly, I think it helps her sleep, knowing she has it nearby."

"And you would know," James added. "Considering that she sleeps next to you."

Glynda sent him a pointed look. "I'm worried about her too, don't act like you're the only one who's concerned –"

"Glyns…" He said, shaking his head. "You know I'm deployed a lot, and –"

"Boop!" Ivy yelled, tackling Natalie and tapping her nose.

Glynda and James stared at each other for a moment but then let go of the tension.

"Hi, mommy!" Natalie exclaimed, rolling over and waving at Karissa who smiled and waved back.

"Are you doing okay, honey?" Karissa laid down on the floor across from her daughter.

Natalie nodded and ran over to her to embrace her tightly.

"Look!" Ivy giggled and tried to pull her foot to her nose.

"Ivy, honey, shh…" Glynda murmured, adjusting her glasses delicately. "I'm glad you're having fun, but your sister needs to sleep."

Ivy pouted for a moment and then sighed.

"Okie," She whispered excitedly. "When she play?"

"Tomorrow, honey," Glynda told her. "It's almost bedtime, okay?"

Ivy crawled over to her mother and curled up against her with a smile.

"I can't believe they're almost two," James said, wrapping an around his wife. "They're such sweethearts too."

Spencer nodded and picked up Natalie, who was still giggling.

"Settle down, Nattie," Spencer said, tapping her nose. "You're going to need to fall asleep soon."

Natalie pouted. "But daddy –"

"Here, Nattie," Karissa said, handing her a little bunny stuffie from the bag. "You want Bunny?"

Natalie perked up immediately and hugged her bunny close to her.

"We should probably get going," Spencer said, glancing at the time on his scroll. "We'll see you two tomorrow."

Glynda smiled. "Okay."

"I'll keep you posted on what's happening with keeping the situation under control," Karissa said, sighing and sending James a pointed look. "And tell Oz that he's going to have to explain some things to me soon enough because nothing he has said regarding what really happened with Varna makes any damn sense."

"I will," He said tiredly, glancing to his wife.

A tense silence hung over them when the door shut behind them, even though the girls were peacefully sleeping beside their mother.

"The last person I want to trust right now is Rosalinde Varna," Glynda eventually said. "She's changed since she assumed power in Vacuo, and it doesn't seem like she assumed it legally."

"It's probably safe to assume she didn't," James agreed. "She manipulated the system, and I think everyone knows it. Chrissy even thinks she killed the previous prime minister."

"I would believe it," Glynda said darkly. "Varna's always had a presence that hinted at a lust for power. She would do anything for it."

James sighed. "I know."

Glynda tiredly probed her forehead and shook her head. She then picked up her sleeping daughters and carried them into their room. James followed her and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"It should turn out alright," She murmured, laying down and raking her hands through her hair in exhaustion. "Honestly, right now, I'm more worried about the girls than I am Varna."

"They're okay," James leaned over and gently cupped her cheek. "Glyns, I'm sorry I haven't been home, but I have no control over when I get deployed and where to. I'm doing the best I can."

"You think I don't know that?" She snapped although her voice was quiet. "I'm just glad term ends at the start of December."

"You've got a lot on your mind, I get it," He said, laying down beside her.

"Sometimes I'm not sure you do," She said softly.

"I'm doing the best I can, Glynda," He replied. "And I'm trying to be around more –"

"I know that –" She started irritably.

"Glyns, please just…" He paused for a moment and then sighed. "I'm sorry, really."

"I know you are," She said, looking exhausted. "I need time to process and rest, okay?"

He nodded. "Okay."

She pulled off her glasses and rolled over onto her side, pulling the blanket over her. It seemed everything around was spinning and then, slowly, she fell asleep. James looked over to the girls and, after a moment, pressed a soft kiss to his wife's forehead and fell asleep beside her while the world continued to turn.

September 27th
DCA Transport Station
City of Atlas
United Kingdom of Atlas
8:37 PM

"Yang, firecracker," Tai said, rocking his crying daughter in his arms. "Shh…it's going to be okay. I promise. Everything's going to be okay."

He didn't completely believe what he was saying. Ever since Raven had left without warning in mid-July, he had felt that something was missing. He had been stuck in what felt like a free fall since then and his teammates hadn't exactly been understanding. Summer had been the most compassionate between them. She had stayed up late and done her best to care for Yang. She had lost sleep to give him more and she had done everything in her power to keep the little girl healthy and make sure Tai didn't slip too far out of touch. He was grateful to her for that, but he knew also that he could never repay her for what she was doing for him. With Qrow's considerably lower spirits in the last few days, he felt he had little in Patch. He would have to head back soon enough but, right now, he needed space. He just needed a few days with Yang.

That was what had led him to where he was now, sitting in the bustling transport station in the Atlesian capital with a crying baby in his arms.

"Shut that child up," Someone snapped nearby, and he pulled his daughter closer to him. "Or do something!"

Tai scowled but said nothing to them. Instead, he reached into the bag he had for his baby girl and pulled out a pacifier. Yang began to quiet down, but his bag tumbled to the floor. His hands were full, and he was going to try and grab it, but he couldn't without grabbing his suitcase. He was so hesitant in this moment despite having no reason to be. Perhaps it was because he felt his daughter losing her mother was his fault or, maybe, he was scared that he would end up in a worse state than he already was, in a worse state than -

"Here," A woman said gently, coming over to him with the bag in her hands. "Is that your girl?"

Tai nodded. "Yes, this is my daughter."

She smiled. "Well –"

"Oh my God," He paused upon seeing the ID badge she was wearing around her neck. "You're Elizabeth Morell? The recently instated chair of the Atlesian National Security Council?"

She turned pink. "Admiral Winchester all but demanded I take the position when he retired in June. I don't deserve it, I really don't, but the senate defense and intelligence committees approved it."

Tai eyed her for a moment and then stood up, pulling his bags with him.

"Can I buy you a drink?" He asked. "You look like you need one."

She hesitated. "I don't know…"

"It's not a date, I swear," Tai promised. "I'm just being nice, that's all."

Elizabeth bit her lip but then nodded. "I suppose that would be okay."

He smiled as they walked through the terminal and, thankfully, it wasn't hard to find a small bar. The two of them sat down in one of the many booths – surprisingly, it was reasonably empty – and Yang was still sleeping soundly in her father's arms. Elizabeth was quiet and kept fidgeting with her hands, looking rather worried. She was startled when the waiter asked her what she wanted to drink, and it took her a moment to regain her composure enough to order a martini. Tai was quiet for a while himself, too, not knowing exactly what to say. He had acted on impulse, he knew, but she was several years older than him at thirty-five and she was one of youngest people ever to be placed in her position. It was uncomfortably silent for a time but, eventually, he found it in him to speak. He ignored the fact that may have had something to do with the small beer he had been sipping at.

"I heard about the deposition you gave to the Council that shed light onto some serious topics," Tai said, pausing when she flinched. "I know it gave you immunity, and I know a lot of people here hail you as a hero but I don't see it that way."

"I don't either…" Elizabeth mumbled, sipping her martini.

"I do, however, think you're brave," Tai went on, and she looked up suddenly in surprise. "Extremely so, actually. You put yourself and your job at risk to do the right thing, and I wholeheartedly believe that was brave and that it justifies you being in the position you are now."

Elizabeth turned bright red despite herself.

"Tai, you're flattering me," She finally said. "I'm sorry, but I was silent for months and I should have –"

"You're human, Elizabeth," He said kindly. "You don't have to be perfect every time."

"I'm not sure you understand the gravity of my job," She said quietly. "The things I do, the decisions I make…they carry real weight and have serious effect on -"

"Elizabeth, you're still allowed to have feelings," He sighed and gently rocked Yang to keep her asleep. "We all are."

She stared at him for a moment and then pushed her half-drunk martini aside.

"Tai, I know that I'm somebody, I know that I'm important, and I know that there are plenty of people on the Council that have faith in me," She said, lowering her voice with each word she spoke. "I lack faith in myself not because I think myself incapable but because I would put someone else in my position on probation or even bring them to trial. No one is doing that to me – no one will even consider doing that to me – and I detest that level of hypocrisy."

He sighed. "I understand why that would bother you," He conceded. "But that doesn't make you a bad person or disqualify you."

"I'm too young," She said, looking at her hands again. "I am too young and far too impulsive to be trusted with the position I have been."

"Or you're resilient enough to handle it," Tai countered. "The fact that you had people vouch for you and the fact that the one last in your position nominated you to succeed him says a lot."

She smiled weakly. "Thanks, Tai."

"I'm being honest," He told her. "There's no need to thank me for that."

"You overestimate, then, how many people are willing to tell the truth," Elizabeth replied. "For all of our successes, most people don't trust the senators, or representatives, or the people in the executive departments of the Council. Our history with slimy politicians might be better than most of the kingdoms, but that doesn't mean there isn't a lack of faith because of it."

"Sounds like Atlas needs help," Tai remarked.

"We all will, if things keep going like this," Elizabeth sighed. "With everything that has happened in the last two years alone, it doesn't look very good, now does it?"

"I agree things aren't that great," He said as they stood up and headed out. "I'm a huntsman, and some of the things I've seen in just the short time I've been licensed don't bode well for the future."

"Some days, I question whether or not we'll see tomorrow," Elizabeth paused and then shook her head. "That's probably only my paranoia, but…"

She trailed off and they stared at each other in silence for a time. Then, Elizabeth ripped a small piece of paper out of the top of her bag and scrawled something quickly on it.

"Tai, wait," Elizabeth said, stopping him just before she headed in the opposite direction for the train. "Call me."

He smiled when she slipped a small sheet of paper with her scroll caller ID into his free hand.

"I will," He promised. "You can count on that."

It was only for a moment, but he could have sworn she looked happier than she had all evening.

October 31st
City Of Atlas
United Kingdom Of Atlas
Downtown
8:53 PM

"Now, see Sam," Emmett said, rocking his giggling newborn daughter as he pulled a candy bowl out of the pantry. "Mommy doesn't like this holiday because she thinks it's creepy beyond belief…but I'm just going to leave this outside the door and little kids can take the candy. Just don't tell her, okay?"

"You know I can hear and see you, right?" Emmeline said, looking up from her reports with an amused smile. "I'm only letting you get away with this because I know that you'll do it either way."

"That is a perfect assumption," Emmett said, dropping the bowl outside of the apartment and locking the door before looking warmly to his wife. "If I had to bet, I'd say that someone is going to steal it, but at least it's just -"

"Plastic," Emmeline laughed. "At least you aren't putting whatever expensive -"

"I could do that, but that guarantees that it will get stolen." Emmett laughed with her while baby Samara joined in a little. "I mean, it's bad luck to put china out on Hallows Eve."

"I still stand by my assessment that this holiday is creepy," Emmeline gave him a feigned sharp look before smiling when he sat down next to her with their daughter still in his arms. "But seriously, is it not a little creepy that little kids go door to door demanding candy?"

"Are you going to let Sammie do that when she gets to be around four or fiveish?" Emmett fluffed her hair that was down and spilling into her lap. "It's kind of a thing."

Smiling still, Emmeline leaned her head onto his shoulder while he wrapped an arm around her with the other securely holding Samara. Pulling her legs up onto the couch, she sighed. "Did your parents let you go out and demand candy?"

"Sure," Emmett said, smiling back at her though she nodded with a smirk. "But that doesn't mean I did it when I was a kid. I think I was...maybe fifteen when I went out on Hallows Eve the first time."

"You were fifteen!" Emmeline exclaimed in surprise while Emmett tickled their daughter, causing the little girl to laugh. "Please tell me you're joking!"

"I can't because we agreed that we weren't going to lie to each other." Emmett tilted his head slightly to kiss her and she kissed him back before taking Sam into her arms. "Emmy, you know that I won't lie to -"

"That vision you had last night -" She said pointedly.

"I should have known you were going to bring that up," Emmett sighed and pulled her up onto his lap, kissing her again before making sure that she and Sam were secure. Carefully running his fingers through her hair, Emmett tried to not dwell on what he was going to say. He knew she was going to force out of him anyways. "Look, Emmy, I know you can take care of yourself and I know that you're strong - you're the strongest person I know - but I can't help but feel this helpless kind of fear every time I have a vision and they insist that, at some point, you or someone close to me won't be a part of my future. You're my wife, and I love you too much and to even think about...to even think about losing you…" Emmett's thoughts were drowned out by his tears and Emmeline leaned him into her and stroked his hair, every so often pausing to scratch the back of his ears. "Emmeline…"

"Shh...shh…" She spoke softly and cradled her daughter in one arm while trying to comfort him as much as possible. "Emmett, I think these visions upset you more than they upset me. It was a nightmare, and nothing more. You do believe that, don't you?"

"I…why do they bother you?" He asked so quietly she could barely hear it. "Emmy -"

"They bother me…" Emmeline paused and tried to explain what she was thinking, what she was feeling in the best way possible. "They bother me because they upset you to the point where you're sobbing, and I hate watching you suffer especially when it's because you have concerns for me and my safety."

"Sometimes I hate how protective I am towards you," Emmett sighed deeply in an attempt to bring himself calm though his tears continued to spill on to her clothes. "It makes me feel almost like I'm devaluing your skill and that's -"

"Shut up, Emmett, honestly. Just shut up." Emmeline, despite her harsh words, was speaking in a quiet, soft tone. "I know that's not why you do it."

"I know it's not either," He said, shaking his head as he adjusted his glasses. "But -"

"Emmett, listen to me," Emmeline lifted his head off of her as best as she could to force him to look at her through his wet, puffy eyes. "I know how attached you get to people. I know you're only as protective of me and Sam as you are because you would blame yourself if anything happened to us even if there was no logical reason for you to be at blame. I know you feel protective towards Glynda and her kids though on a lesser level because they have each other and because I'm sure James would be damned before he let them get hurt with him having any say in it. I know that you even feel protective towards Ashlynn despite what we both know she's become."

"Ashlynn is a special case…" Emmett mumbled as she leaned his forehead against his with Sam still tightly in her arm. "I don't like hearing people talk badly about her because of what she's become without giving and recognizing the reasons."

Emmeline sighed. "I know."

"Despite the fact that she has repeatedly tried to kill me, and that she might have plans to hurt you, I feel like she hasn't crossed the line yet. She's still in the grey. The longer she stays there, the more evil she'll become...but…" Emmett choked back another sob regardless of the turmoil of emotions that he was feeling. "I'm sorry...I know I'm being irrational and —"

"Emmett," Emmeline said gently. "It's okay…"

He sighed heavily and said nothing more on the subject for a long moment.

"Until she crosses the line," Emmett said, biting his lip. "Which would be killing an innocent though more specifically you or Sam, then she's still family and I can't deal with the idea of her facing firing squad if she was honestly repentant."

"You know I wouldn't let that happen, right?" Emmeline asked, rubbing his cheek with her thumb. "I want to agree with you."

Emmett stared at her. "You do?"

Emmeline hesitated before answering in complete honesty. "Sort of. I think she already killed an innocent - herself, the woman she was before she became Cinder Fall, but I also recognize that there has probably been some manipulation involved and that it isn't fair to judge her quite yet."