Disclaimer, I do not own RWBY

AN/ I'm back, and oh boy was that one hell of an ending to this season. With RWBY ending for the season, more money coming in, and just in general good things happening to me, it's a very welcome change of pace. I'm pretty sure I'll be starting looking at Broken Mind again here soon, so be on the lookout for that, I'm expecting about 7 or so chapters of this left and maybe 10 or so for A Life In Darkness, but we'll see, I have 2 other stories to go along with Broken Mind once space clears up. Anyways, on to the chapter!

For Ruby, the time leading up to a job was always the most tense. Triple checking every possible variable to ensure it was in her favor, looking at all information available on her target, it all gave her a high that she wouldn't come down from until after her goal was accomplished.

"If Roman or Neo finds out what I'm planning, I am so grounded." Ruby muttered to herself. With the apartment all to herself, she was able to work in peace as she put the finishing touches on her makeup. She had no idea if Emerald would even notice her, let alone feel any amount of attraction to her, but she was willing to try.

"And if that doesn't work, I have no other choice but to try Mercury." Ruby shuddered at the thought. Having gotten word that they had begun to dismantle what they could of Cinder's operation, Ruby knew her time was limited. Looking over herself once more, Ruby was pleased. Opting to leave her signature white cloak behind, her stand out features were bare to the world.

"Just a little bit of Roman's eye liner, and Neo's blush and lipstick, I must say, I look Beautiful, scar and all." Ruby spoke to herself. Wearing tight black jeans and a loose red crop top, she looked ready to go clubbing. If only she was going out for fun instead of work. As she stepped out of the apartment, Ruby hoped that Emerald would be alone today. For as much as they clearly hated each other, the assassin and thief almost never left each other's side. Thankfully though, Emerald seemed content to go to the park every now and again, likely practicing her pick pocketing skills.

"From one thief to another, not that I like her walking all over my territory." Ruby muttered as the elevator descended.

*Emerald*

Waltzing through one of the parks of Vale, Emerald was glad she had managed to lose her irritating partner. While she had to admit that he was good in a fight, that was the only redeeming quality she could find about him. Though if it weren't for Cinder, she would never have met the annoying man in the first place, but on the other side of that same coin, if it weren't for Cinder, she would either be in prison, or starving in a gutter.

"At least I can practice my skills in peace." She muttered as her hand slipped into a businessman's pocket. Feeling a fat stack of lien, she smiled. With everything thrown into disarray, Emerald allowed herself to relax as she eyed her next victim. Tapping her pocket, her heart froze. The lien she had amassed was now missing. Feeling her pockets and looking around, she felt the shuffling of paper where the lien once was. Pulling out the paper, she read off the note in her hands.

'Not a bad haul, but I've done better, not that it's your fault. If you want your lien back, find me at Junior's club. Show the note to the bouncer and they'll bring you to me -Red. That little bitch.' Emerald fumed, one-upped by Roman's lap dog. She should go directly to Cinder, but she would risk the woman's wrath if she let it slip that she was stealing. Sighing, she began her search for the night club.

Her search led her to the industrial district. An odd place for a night club, but if the rumors she heard were true, the location was chosen for a reason. Finding what she could only assume was the bouncer, Emerald confidently approached the black clad man.

"We're not open yet, come back later." The man spoke, clearly disinterested.

"I was told someone was expecting me." Emerald responded, annoyed. Holding out the note, she hoped she wasn't just duped.

"Head inside, the twins will take you there." The man growled. Stepping through the now open door, Emerald looked down the stairs, the evidence of the night club's existence now obvious. Stepping down the stairs, the large doors ahead opened, revealing the twins the man mentioned.

"Eyes forward."

"And follow us." The twins spoke. Rolling her eyes, she did as told. Seeing more of the black suit clad men, Emerald realized that this is where Roman first got his hired muscle before Cinder offered the White Fang.

"So, what exactly does Red want with me?" Emerald thought to ask.

"She is, interested. That is all she said." Melanie responded. Emerald could tell that there was more going on, but also knew not to push her luck. As she was led to the back rooms, her mind began to wander.

'She's interested in me, is a well-known thief and assassin, works for Roman. I walked right into a trap, didn't I?' Emerald thought to herself. Just as she began to think up escape plans, the twins stopped.

"Go on in."

"And don't try anything stupid." They warned. Resigning herself to her fate, she opened the door. Stepping through, she was met with an image she wasn't quite ready for.

"Ah, Emerald Sustrai, I was wondering when you would get here." Ruby spoke, looking over the couch she was laid across.

"Cut the crap Red, I want my lien back." Emerald growled.

"Oh, you mean this lovely little stack?" Ruby taunted, waving the lien cards at the thief.

"I took it fair and square." Emerald shot.

"As did I. You should really learn to guard your prize better. Not that you would know anything about that. Afterall, you're being used as a poor excuse for a spy, not the masterful thief you could be." Ruby countered, her wolf ears pivoting slightly.

"You want something from me, don't you?" Emerald asked.

"Perceptive, I like it. Since your boss whisked Roman and Neo away from me, my available work has plummeted. If you help me, you get eighty percent of this lien back, as well as forty percent of the cut from helping me." Ruby offered.

"I was under the impression that I would be getting that all back." Emerald spoke.

"Consider it my fee for operating in my territory. Roman and Neo taught me a lot, and that includes being territorial. That is, if you help me. Otherwise, you get forty percent of this stack and sent on your merry way. Besides, I'm being generous, it's not every day I get the chance to work with a cutie such as you." The way the silver eyed wolf spoke reeked of an ulterior motive. Emerald knew she was getting played here, and frankly, she wasn't sure if she cared that much.

"What exactly do you want?" Emerald asked, noting the gleeful smirk cross the faunus's face.

"I need a bit more cash to help me float on by while your boss runs her course. Thankfully, despite not being anywhere near as pompous as Atlas, the elite in Vale still drop stacks like this on a regular basis. I want to hit one of their favorite jewelry stores." Ruby stated like she had just announced her desire to go out for food.

"And why do you need me?" Emerald questioned.

"I know what your semblance is. Consider this, if this job goes well, I'll invite you to my next job. I know about that jewelry store in Mistral you robbed. I can teach you to make that child's play if you stick with me. Besides, I know for a fact that I'm better company than your partner." Ruby boasted. Seeing the contemplative look on the thief's face, Ruby knew she had her.

"What makes you so sure that I would follow you? I have everything I could have ever wanted right now." Emerald responded defiantly.

"Look around you, if it weren't for the fact that I'm currently living off of what Roman built, this would all be mine. What does Cinder offer you? Food? Praise fit for a dog? I'm offering more than what she could ever dream. So, what do you say, partner?" Ruby asked as she stood up and offered her hand. Red met silver, and a decision was made.

AN/ I'm evil, aren't I? I don't get to do this often, y'know? Usually I write scenarios to completion, but this, this felt like it needed to be a cliffhanger. So, who thinks Mercury, who thinks Emerald? Everything is about to go down, and honestly, I'm not sure how this will end. I know, the author has no idea what's about to happen in his own story, usually not a good sign, but hey, what can you do. Anyways, until next time, have a great day!