"She's not going to crash us, is she? Promise you won't?" Weiss asked with her eyes whipping back and forth between the girls as they walked up the stairs and out the door.

"Have a little faith, why don't you? She's young, not stupid," Yang defended, looping her arm through Blakes.

"I don't think she will, I just… Some affirmation would be nice,"

"It's ok, I promise I won't crash us. Well, I can't really promise that, but I can promise I'll try my best not to!" Ruby beamed as she skipped up the steps, her voice clear even across the gym. Weiss said something and Ruby, for some unthinkable reason, blushed. But as they walked through the doors their voices became too distant for even Qrows ears.

"You could do so much better than her, Kid," Qrow sighed as he leaned on the track rail watching the kids disappear down the hall.

The floor of the gym was full of freshmen carrying off pieces of the ring to the closet. The air was hot and muggy even though the stands were almost cleared out. Port was heaving a load of metal poles while the boxers talked and smiled amongst themselves.

Qrow stood and started strolling along the track as he watched them, remembering when Yang, Blake, and Ruby would stay until everything was done before letting them take them home. Qrow's smile faded when he thought about the drive home, how they used to sing whatever song was on the radio, even if they didn't know the words.

"You could do so much better than her," he repeated, hoping to take in the words better than his niece. His walk came to an end when he reached the side doors that led to the parking lot. He pulled out a key, putting it in the lock but stopping before it turned. He turned the handle and found that the door was already unlocked. He smirked for a moment before forcing it down and walking outside against a blast of cool night air.

The parking lot was nearly empty, and Qrow was glad to see a bright red pickup truck rattling down the road. Goosebumps prickled up and down Qrows arms, but he refused to shiver, feeling the eyes on him before hearing her steps.

"I really should ask for that old key back," He said softly, watching the tail lights of Crescent Rose make the turn out of the school parking lot.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," said a trembling voice, though he doubted it was because of the cold. "But if I did, I'd ask you to look into the kindness of your heart and forget about it,"

"Oh yeah, because I'm so great at that," He chuckled, turning around and seeing Winter Schnee leaning against the brick of the school with her bun in her classic bun.

"I… maybe that wasn't the best thing to say. If you want it back you can have it," She said softly, holding out her hand while she cradled the silver key. Qrow reached out and picked it up from her hand, not missing how her face fell even further.

"I appreciate it. But how about you give it to that sister of yours? She might get more use out of it than you," He said, putting it back in the girl's icy hands.

"What? That's just asking her to get into trouble!"

"Is that really such a bad thing?"

"If she gets a criminal record then yes!"

"Then give it back,"

"No, you're just going to give it to her yourself," Winter said as she pulled the key into her chest.

"It's my key, I'll do whatever I want with it," He said sternly as his eyes narrowed. Winter stood her ground with her chin high, but then her eyes fell to the floor and her shoulders slumped.

"I'll give it to her. I trust her, and it's not like she can get into that much trouble with a teacher like you watching her back,,"

"Great, another kid I need to keep on the lookout for," He complained, feeling his insides twist when she glared at him. "I'll do it though, if she gets caught she won't be able to lie her way out as easy as the girls,"

"She isn't always that bad of a liar," Winter giggled, "At least when it came to Dad we got by well enough,"

"Most people aren't crazy billionaires though, the skills don't exactly line up,"

"We get by," Winter said, putting the key in her pocket and taking a step back towards the wall.

"You have some explaining to do," Qrow said, pointing a finger at Winter's face.

"I know,"

"'Meet me outside, we need to talk' isn't exactly what I want to hear when I'm trying to go out with my nieces for ice cream," He said sternly, falling silent when he saw Winter look away. "Sorry, I didn't mean anything. It's just, we're celebrating,"

"I know how you guys do things, don't worry. You don't have to apologize," Winter said, wiping her eyes before looking back at him. "I'll try to be quick, but… Well, I'm not exactly sure how to say this,"

"What's that supposed to mean? Can I get some specifics" Qrow asked, taking a step back and shoving his hands into his pockets.

"I know you didn't really talk about it ever, but your sister is still in prison, right?" She asked, looking at the floor, missing the storm of emotions that passed over Qrows face.

"Why the hell are you asking that?" His hands were clenched into fists, while his mouth spat fire.

"It's just a question, no need to get so heated," Winter said, leaning forward and eying him down. "She is still in prison… Right?" He took a step away and looked out at the starry night silently.

"She was released on bail a few months ago. We have a restraining order and the judge saying she can't even come into the county, but I wasn't sure if it would keep her away forever," Winter gaped at him, eyes wide.

"You haven't told them, have you?" She asked, but the only noise in the night was the wind.

"They don't need to be afraid again, not while I'm here,"

"They should still know! She could come back and hurt them again!"

"Like it's so easy to tell kids everything and to get them to behave. I'm guessing you told Weiss that you were watching from the track the whole match?"

"That's not the same thing. A white lie is something that helps, but they should be ready in case something happens!"

"I wish they were ready, but Ruby's still working through what happened and there's no way Yang forgives or forgets. It's a bad idea,"

"Maybe you just don't trust them enough," Winter said, tasting bitterness on her tongue as she spoke.

"Probably not, but I trust them more than you trust your sister,"

"When it comes to your sister though you trust her not to come here though, is that it?"

Qrow leaned in so close that their foreheads almost touched while his hand shot past her head and into the brick.

"Winter, if you're asking because of the reason I think you're asking, I have work to do. Why are you asking?" His words were steel and his eyes were on the brink of madness. The only time she'd seen him look anything like this was when he was beating Tyrion.

"I'm not sure if it was her or not, you guys never showed me photos of her or anything,"

" So what happened?"
"I was watching the game when I saw Ruby leave and Weiss follow her. I was pretty proud of her, but then I saw this woman stop her. They talked but I couldn't hear about what,"

"Then why do you think it was Raven?"

"Because she looked just like you. Same nose, your eyes look the same except the color, Midnight black hair, even the same sour expression. Her hair was also just like Yangs, wild and crazy,"

"What color were her eyes?" He asked in a deep voice that left Winter shaking like a leaf.

"I-I don't know,"

"Are you sure you don't remember? They're distinct,"

"I… Red. They were red," Winter said, suddenly sure that she was right. They were piercing, and she wasn't sure how she ever forgot. Qrow pulled his hand away and combed it through his hair, taking long breaths. "Is it her?"

"Yeah, it sure as hell sounds like her," he said,

"You're kidding,"

"Does it really seem like I'm kidding?" Qrow hissed, turning around clenching his fists.

"No, it doesn't-"

"This isn't some joke. This is serious, Winter! If it really is that hag then I don't have time to deal with this bullshit," He huffed as he walked away from her and towards the parking lot.

"Do you think I'm joking? I didn't call you because I wanted to have a reunion, I did it because I was scared for the girls! For you!"

"Thanks, we really needed it," He said with a wave, his pace quickening.

"What? Are you just walking away? What about Raven?"

"What do you think I'm about to go and do?"

"Get into trouble,"

"Maybe, but I'm also about to deal with it," He said gruffly, turning when he heard the click of shoes following him.

"She talked to my sister, Qrow. She knows her face. If she's anything like you've told me then this might not be just about the Ruby and Yang anymore,"

"When I find her I'll ask about Weiss for you, but I'm sure she'll be fine until then,"

"Weiss just went with your girls, they're in this together now and you know it. I'm coming with you,"

"Why? Gonna help me track her down? Complain at her until she drops dead?"

"No, I'm going to explain every law she's breaking and to get thrown into prison until the sun explodes," Winter said, her words ready to cut like a knife. "You're scary, Qrow, but nobody scares the shit out of a criminal like prison,"

"I'll tell you if I find anything," He said bitterly, as he walked past her and towards his black car that was parked in the back.

"Just let me help!" Winter called, her voice more desperate than Qrow ever remembered it being. He didn't stop though, not until he was in his car and driving down the road.

-A/N-

Sorry about missing last week, I did a ton of traveling and didn't have time to write so I took the week off. I've been consistent with this story for a long time so I figured I'd earned it. That won't be a normal thing though. Thanks to everyone who's been keeping up with this story, I know I keep the pace slow but that's because I don't have the time or energy to write much each week. I'm finishing this story, but I'm in no rush to get there, but this story has become part of my routine each week and I thank you for making it a part of yours as well. I hope you've been enjoying it, and I'll see you all next week!