Weiss sits on her bed, finishing up the last piece of homework for the week. Today...the last day of the year...New Years Eve. She notes how fast the year has gone by. And yet... No Spike. He said he'd be gone only a week. She sighs deeply, and briefly wonders if he's okay...

"That...IDIOT..better not have gotten himself killed..."

Smoke looks over from drafting the new menu for his club, "Hm?"

"Nothing..." Weiss shakes her head "I'm mumbling something."

"I would too, Spike's been gone a while..."

"Go find him then if you're that bothered..."

"I already did," Smoke says as he slides the menu to Ren. "But if I go after him he'll just get pissed off."

"Why?" Weiss frowns "He's your friend."

"More like a bro, and since I'm such a good friend I know when not to poke my nose in his business. You, Amy, and Reave are a totally different story though."

"Oh? Why is that?"

"Because you three are the only ones whose heads WOULDN'T roll."

"But what about YOU? Or...I don't know...whomever else you all know..."

Smoke smirks, "Trust me Ice Queen, you gotta be the one to bring him back."

Weiss lets out a groan "He's like a CHILD! I'm not responsible for him y'know!"

Smoke shrugs, "I know, just saying you might be interested in what you find."

"...And what WOULD I find...?"

Smoke shakes his head, "Not telling."

"Why!" Weiss immediately gets defensive "Tell me! Or else I'm not going!"

"If I tell you will you swear to go get him?"

"...Maybe..."

"Not good enough," Smoke monotones, and turns to go over the menu with Ren.

"Okay FINE!" She growls "Just quit being an idiot and tell me already!"

Smoke smiles, "Well from what I've heard he's been spending his time in the fight clubs the next town over, making quite the name for himself as Venomous Thorn."

"Seriously?" She facepalms "WHY!"

"To ask him yourself," Smoke suggests politely. "But take Reave with you, you're going to need all the tact you can get.

"He can go himself then." Weiss shrugs "Look...Spike can take care of himself...why does he need us to go after him?"

"Are you going back on your word then?"

"NO! I...ugh...FINE!" She growls "Where's the other idiot?"

"I asked you, very politely, to call me by my name," Reave says as he sets a case of mangos on the counter behind Ren. "I understand you're upset, but there is always room for courtesy."

"Whatever, let's go. I have things to do and New Years to prepare for." Weiss snaps, and walks out of the room, waiting for him.

Reave has no trouble keeping up, "I'll ask Yang to let us borrow her motorcycle. Should we bring Amy along as Smoke suggested?"

Weiss shrugs "I'm not bothered, where is she?"

Reave closes his eyes, "...Helping Shadow with the fireworks display at the pool."

Weiss heads to the pool, not even bothering to check if he's following. "AMY!" She yells, "Come on."

Amy looks up at her and blinks "...What?"

Reave says, "We're leaving to bring back Spike."

Shadow looks up, "I've got this."

Amy walks over to them "He hasn't come back yet...? What if something has happened to him?!"

Reave dials his phone, "I'll meet you guys at the parking lot."

Shadow stands, "I can teleport you, and you can call me when it's time to come back."

"But Shadow..." Amy blinks "You're so mean to my brother...why offer to help.."

Shadow crosses his arms, and his stare doesn't have as much intensity anymore. "Do you want me to help or not Amy?"

"Of course!" She smiles "...You're doing it again..."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Shadow says as he extends his hands. Reave takes his wrist with a nod.

"You're saying..." Amy sighs and shakes her head, putting her hand into Shadow's "Forget it..."

Shadow closes his fingers around hers, and then turns to Weiss, "Where are you trying to go?"

"To fight clubs apparently." Weiss sighs, "Take us to the next town...we'll take it from there."

Shadow nods, "Chaos Control!"

FLASH!

Weiss immediately steps away from him, whereas Amy squeezes his hand "This place looks...rough..."

Shadow lets her hand go, "You'll be fine... I could stay, let Smoke finish the fireworks prep."

"No...we don't need you." Weiss glowers, making Amy frown.

"Well you don't have to say it like THAT!"

Shadow ignores Weiss, and says to Amy, "You have my number right?"

"Yeah," Amy nods "Thanks Shadow..."

Shadow nods, and surprising the others he gives her a one-armed hug before teleporting away. Reave smiles, "I would inquire, but do not have the time, nor is it my business."

Amy blinks "Inquire about what? It was only a hug...half a hug..."

"Which is more affection than I have ever seen him demonstrate," Reave notes as he closes his eyes with a deep breath. "...I sense Spike, maybe eight blocks away."

Weiss walks away without a word to them. "That idiot..." She mumbles "He's gonna get himself killed."

Reave follows her, two fingers pressed to his forehead. "Hm... He's moving."

"Where's he heading?"

"One street to our right, and he's getting closer. I wonder where he's headed to..."

"SPIKE!" Amy darts past them and rounds the corner "WHAT ARE YOU PLAYING AT!"

Reave claps a hand over her mouth, and pulls her back into the alleyway. "Shh," he hisses. "What if he's working on something for Weiss? We shouldn't interfere, or distract him."

Amy mumbles behind his hand and glares hard.

Weiss sighs "So what if he his...why would I be bothered..."

Reave reasons, "Well there IS a holiday coming up." He lifts his hand, "I beg your pardon Amy?"

Amy growls "I SAID quit manhandling me like that and let me go talk to my brother damnit!"

Reave shakes his head, and then slowly starts nodding to himself. "Alright, but don't tell him the Weiss, or myself are here."

"Why? He might want to see you..."

"Doubtful," Reave says. "He confided before he left that he was intending to gather currency on Weiss's behalf. You alone he may accept, however all three of us would up him on edge."

"WAIT!" Weiss frowns "Currency on my behalf? What the hell is the point in THAT?!"

Reave smiles, "Let Amy ask him, I'm curious to hear this myself."

They hear whistling drawing close, and Reave hides with Weiss behind a dumpster.

"SPIKE!" Amy yells "Is that you!?"

The whistling stops, and Spike peeks into the alley. "Baby Sis? What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you! What are YOU doing here?"

"Uh..." He looks around, "Are you alone?"

"N-Yes..." She smiles innocently "Yeah...and don't say it's too dangerous alone for a girl my age! I'm FINE!"

Spike smirks, "Trust me, this place is crawling with so many wannabe fighter just your glare could put them in a coma. Honestly I feel a little guilty..."

"Guilty...why?"

He pulls a wallet out of his hair, and waves it, "Been hustling fights, mostly to pass the time. It's a good payoff too!"

"But you could have gotten seriously hurt!" Amy gasps "You idiot!"

"I know I am," Spike rolls his eyes. "But it'll be worth it once I see Weiss again..." He blushes slightly, and plays with a rock with his foot, "I look forward to making her laugh, holding her like a teddy bear on the couch, those tender secret kisses..."

Amy blinks, and a smirk makes its way onto her face "Oh really, eh...what if she came here now?"

Spike abruptly wakes up, "That'd be terrible, I don't have her New Years present yet!"

"That's okay...you wouldn't have to give it her yet..."

Spike whines, "But it's the most romantic thing I can think of! Seeing her shocked, tearing up with happiness when I give it to her under the fireworks..."

"Weiss hardly seems like the type to cry." Amy deadpans "I just don't want to see you get hurt.."

A car driving by nails him in the head with a brick, and speeds off. Spike rubs his head, "...Ah whatever. Hey! I'm on my way to go get it, wanna come with?"

"Um..." Amy glances back at where Reave and Weiss are waiting "Uh...sure..."

Without another word Spike drags her down the street so fast he yanks her right off the ground.

"WOAH! SPIKE! SLOW DOWN!" She yells, struggling to keep up "OI! SLOW DOWN!"

He comes to an abrupt stop in trot of a jewellery store, and drags her inside.

"Why are we HERE? You're not proposing to her already are you?!"

Spike looks appalled, "NO! Jeez Amy, not all of us try to jump the shark this early on! She hasn't even told me she likes me back yet."

"Then...what are you planning?"

Spike looks around, and then drags Amy to the back of the shop, asking the jeweller about a custom order. The jeweller presents him with a small felt ring case. Inside the case is a ring of white gold, fashioned to look exactly like a Chinese dragon with the tail wrapped around its throat. In its mouth is a diamond the size of a raisin, cut into multiple facets with a snowflake carved on top of it.

Spike smiles with satisfaction, and hands over a LOT of Lien before pocketing the case. "This will blow her mind!"

Amy frowns "How can you be so sure..."

Spike looks dreamily at the ceiling, "Because my heart says so..."

Amy blinks "Uhhhh...Spike are you feeling okay? Never seen you...act like...this..."

Spike smiles, and sort of sways out of the store, "Oh man, once she sees this then she'll see!"

"Spike!" Amy catches up to him "Wait for me!"

Spike smiles, and out of the blue a woman walks up to him, "Hey, why not ditch Pinkie over there, and spend some time with a real woman?"

Spike snaps out of his lovesick trance, "That's my sister."

She presses up against him, "Well then there's no problem, is there?"

"Yeah, there is," he says, putting his hand on her face, and who in her away. "And the problem is I don't have time for heartless sluts."

The woman dusts herself off, and storms off in a huff.

Amy blinks "Did she...just think I was your GIRLFRIEND?! EW!"

Spike shudders at the thought, "That was Diana, everyone knows she likes to sleep around with the strongest fighter at the local rings... Oh well, where's your car? I wanna get back ASAP so I can surprise Weiss!"

Amy freezes "Uhh...my car...was...stolen?"

Spike scowls, and puts his hands on his hips as he looks around, "Okay then... Well I could carry you on my back. Reaper's Wind was meant for short distances, but I think I can hold out."

"But I don't want you to hurt yourself! Shall I...call Shadow?"

Spike stares at her... And then facepalms himself so hard he lays himself flat on his back, "Why didn't I think of that?!"

"Because you never think at all." Amy smirks and walks out of earshot, calling Shadow from her phone.

Shadow picks up after the first ring, "Amy?"

"Again?! Shadow...are you okay lately?"

"Yes, why wouldn't I be?"

"Because...you...Amy...again!" She sighs "Never mind, I've found Spike, can you come for us? And get Weiss and Reave too!"

"Alright, I'll get them first to make it appear like I just arrived with them."

"'Kay, thanks Shads! You're the best!" She smirks.

"You're welcome, see you in five minutes." Then the line disconnects.

Amy walks back to Spike "Five minutes..."

Spike smirks, "Cool! I still got a lot of money on me if ya wanna grab a bite real fast."

Amy shrugs "Sure."

Spike takes her down the street to a fast-food burger restaurant, and just as soon as they're about to walk in Reave whistles sharply from down the street to get their attention.

Shadow cringes with his ears folded back. "Reave..."

Reave looks apologetic. "Forgive me Shadow, I forgot to take your enhanced hearing into consideration."

Spike waves happily when he sees Weiss, "Hey there beautiful! Whatcha doing here?"

"Looking for you, dolt.." She seethes angrily.

Her angry note is lost on him, he's just happily to see her. He opens his arms wide, "I wanna huuuuuuuug you!"

Weiss narrows her eyes "Don't bother...we're going home."

"Can we grab dinner first, the... 1-2-3-4... The five of us?"

"No." Weiss snaps "You're coming home."

Amy frowns "Why are you so...nevermind..."

Spike smiles, "Right, Smoke probably has a whole freaking buffet for tonight. I'm just glad you care about me Weiss!" He moves to hug her, stops with a thoughtful look, and then hugs his sister instead with a Death Hug because he MUST HUG SOMEONE!

Amy blinks "Spike...you're...crushing me!"

Weiss rolls her eyes "Quit being so childish...and let's go."

Spike puts Amy over his shoulder, "Okay, let's go!"

Shadow points off to the side, "Spike look, a distraction!"

Spike whirls, almost dropping Amy before Shadow catches her. "Where?! I LOVE distractions!"

"SPIKE!" Amy growls, then looks up at Shadow with a smile "Thank you Shads..."

"You're welcome," he says, setting her on her feet.

Spike looks wound wildly, "Do you see it Amy?! Where is it?!"

A vein throbs in Shadow's forehead, and he growls.

WHAM!

Shadow rubs his knuckles as Spike lies on the ground with stars flying around his head. "Damn this idiot has a hard head..."

Amy sighs, and looks down at him with her hands on her hips "Spike..what are we going to do with you..."

Reave puts Spike over his shoulder, "For now we take him home."

Shadow takes Amy by the hand, and holds out his arm for the other two to grab on.

Weiss reluctantly holds his arm and sighs "Now...can we please go.."

FLASH!

Reave drops Spike on the ground beside him, and Spike groans, "Owie..."

"Big sister!" A little purple blur flies into Weiss's arms.

Weiss is startled for a moment, before she wraps her arms tightly around the figure "Hey, Lucy...are you okay?"

Lucy hugs her, "I couldn't find you..."

"Well you found me now." Weiss cuddles her close "I'm here...it's alright."

Spike sits up fast, "ASSUME CRASH POSITIONS!"

"Meep!" Lucy jerks at his outburst, and clings to Weiss.

"Shut up!" Weiss growls, stroking her hair soothingly "You're scaring her!"

"Oops, sorry," Spike says as he gets to his feet. "I had a dream that I was in a plane that was falling."

"Well you're not." Weiss deadpans "You're here..looking like an idiot."

Spike holds out a hand to Lucy, "Truce kid?"

She bites his hand, and he starts freaking out. Weiss laughs "Good girl, Lucy..." Lucy lets him go, and snuggles into Weiss's neck with a purr. Spike has waterfalls streaming from his eyes as he nurses his hand. Weiss laughs harder, and kisses Lucy's cheek "You're learning well."

Shadow shakes his head sadly at their antics, "I'm surrounded by idiots..."

Amy pouts "Hey!'

"I didn't mean to include you," Shadow says smoothly.

"Too late Shadow!" She huffs "Apologise!"

Shadow crosses his arms. "...I apologize for inadvertently offending you Amy. The rest of you can burn in Hell."

Weiss glares at him "Watch who you're talking to..."

"Here we go again," Smoke says from his lounging perch in a nearby tree. "Thanks for holding to your word Ice Queen. Good choice too, NO ONE breaks a deal with me."

Spike blinks, "Her word? Deal?"

Weiss turns her glare to Smoke "I am not afraid of you so dont you dare pull that.

Smoke chuckles, "Relax Ice Queen, you kept your word so we're cool. Just saying, you don't even wanna be NEAR someone that breaks a deal with me. Even Emohog over there won't dare."

Spike stares at Weiss, "What deal?"

"Nothing." Weiss replies, "Now can we just...go or something!"

Spike nods, still curious but wanting to have a great night tonight. He smiles, and walks up to Weiss... Until Lucy hisses at him like a cat.

"I, uh... I'm gonna go find Nora, got a New Years present for her," Spike says cautiously, and backs off.

Weiss feels something stab at her, which makes her angry "FINE! WHATEVER!" She clutches Lucy and storms off "Who needs him...I've got you.."

Lucy looks up at her with concern, "Big sis is angry because I scared him away?"

"No Lucy...I could never be angry at you..."

Lucy glances back at Spike, and then smirks, "Let's spy on them! I wanna watch him get beat up!"

"Why? You can always go join in.."

"Exactly," she says with an evil chuckle.

Weiss smirks "...Fine..."

...

Spike creeps through the gardens, looking for Nora, and Ren.

Nora gives a high pitched giggle, as Ren holds her wrists gently "Nora...how many times do I have to tell you...don't poke people's faces..."

"But Ren! It's cuuuuuute!"

Spike smirks, "DOG PILE!" He leaps out of the bush, and tackles them both, Ren sandwiched between them.

Ren growls "Get off me..."

Nora, yet again, giggles "Hiiii there! What an entrance that was!"

"Nora! Don't encourage him!"

Spike yanks them both to their feet, "Happy New Years!"

"It would have been..." Ren mutters, dusting himself off, and checking Nora for bruises.

Spike pulls out two presents, one green while the other is pink. "Here ya go!"

"OOOOOOH!" Nora grins, "PRESENTS! IS THE PINK ONE MINE?! IS IT?"

"Yup!" He hands it to her, and offers Ren the green one.

Ren narrows his eyes as Nora practically rips hers open "I don't want anything..."

Inside Nora's is a pink winter hat with flaps for covering her ears, and a fluffy white ball on top. "IT'S SO CUTE!" She squeals, and puts it on "Look! LOOK!"

Ren smirks "Very nice...suits you..."

"OPEN YOURS!"

Ren eyes his cautiously, before Nora takes it and rips it open for him. It's a green version of the same hat. Spike smiles, "Hope you guys like them, I figured since you guys were so close it'd be cute." He pulls out a plastic bag of party favors, and blows on a noisemaker.

Ren deadpans as Nora puts the hat on him "THANKS, SPIKE!" She grabs Ren's hand and drags him behind her "We have to show Pyrrha and Jaune!"

Spike nods, and perks, "Oh, hey Nora can I talk to Ren for a sec, pretty-please?"

"SUUUURE!" She grins, and skips away without a second thought.

Ren glares "No...I'm busy with Nora..."

Spike puts his hands behind his head, "Dude, I need to talk to someone with a level head. I'd go to Reave, but I think he's in on it..." He pulls out his gift to Weiss, and shows it to Ren discreetly, "I wanna give her this... I love Weiss dude, with all my heart... I need advice."

"Wait...what?" He frowns "WEISS? You..LOVE...WEISS..."

Spike nods, "Yeah man, why does that keep confusing people?"

"Because it's...WEISS!" He says "Isn't that explanation enough."

Spike sighs, "Look man, I'm about as sharp as a musket ball, but in all my time I've learned people are always more than they appear. Weiss seems cold, proud, and holier-than-thou to most people, I know that. But I also know the sweeter, gentler side of her. I see it whenever she talks to Lucy, and I saw it at Christmas."

Spike puts the ring away, "So... How do you get a cute girl to like you so much? I bet of you asked Nora out, best friends for life or not, she's agree in a heartbeat:"

Ren blinks, fighting a blush "..Why are you asking ME? I don't have a girlfriend...ask Smoke...or...Adam..."

"Smoke would give me Hell for it, and no offence, I don't really trust Adam. Seriously dude, Nora is your polar opposite, like Weiss is to me... How do you do it?"

"Do what?" He asks, irritated "I don't do anything, Nora and I have known each other for years...we just...connected and now we're best friends. End of story."

Spike nods slowly, "Okay man, sorry if I bugged you."

"It's fine...but Nora and I are not in a relationship...so I am unsure how much I can really be of assistance..."

Spike pats his arm with a smirk, "Well man I'm just saying, if you don't bust a move someone else will. Not me, but someone."

"Who?" Ren narrows his eyes.

Spike shrugs, "I dunno who, but we both know she's a real looker with a great heart on her sleeve. She can't stay single forever."

"She will if I have anything to say about it...no-one is good enough for her." Ren replies, his tone stern. "No-one."

Spike smirks, "Not even you?"

"...No..." He whispers.

Spike throws an arm over his shoulder, "You know what? I like you! Wanna be buddies?"

Ren blinks "Uh...why?"

Spike shrugs, "You can never have too many friends so I get a bit greedy with them."

Ren can't help but let out chuckle "I don't see why not..."

Spike punches the air in triumph, and blows the noisemaker again.

Ren rolls his eyes "Alright alright..I get it...shush!"