AN: Would you look at that? Another chapter sooner than I usually do! Aren't you guys who like this story luck?

- Not too sure about this chapter. As a concept, I've put a lot of work in. Words on paper? I did it kinda fast.

- This one may be a little heavier than the last one. There's a plot point I had to establish and this seemed like the right moment to do it. If you think otherwise please let me know. I guess this one is more about laying ground work for future chapters. Anyways...

UNTIL NEXT TIME!

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When the elevator opened to reveal Ozpin, Glynda (his deputy headmistress), and Qrow, the response from the two others in the office was immediate. Winter spoke first.

"What were you thinking?!"

Ironwood close behind in his response.

"If you were one of my men I'd have you shot."

Qrow, knowing he was the reason for the hostility in the office, was quick with his comeback.

"I'd save you the work and do it myself."

Glynda saw fit to make a point to Winter at that moment.

"While his behavior was not acceptable, the level of force in your response didn't help."

The specialist tried to defend herself and her actions.

"He was drunk!"

Glynda quickly laid down much needed context.

"He's almost Always drunk."

The Headmaster decided to quickly get ahold of the situation before it could spiral out of control. That and he felt a headache coming if this continued. Plus,the amount of answers he needed from Qrow were starting to pile up and he had to start somewhere.

"Qrow, why are you here?"

Ironwood gave the reason they needed Qrow to explain his presence.

"You missed the last five check in windows. Going dark like that raises concerns, especially for an Intel op."

Qrow just glared at him as he responded.

"I thought we established I don't work for you, Jimmy. My mission was to find out information about our enemy. What I learned was they've got in."

James took a more relaxed stance (knowing 'Jimmy' meant he was getting worked up) and told Qrow something interesting. Something he knew probably wouldn't help with the man's frustration right now.

"We know that."

As expected, that tidbit seemed to only worsen the bandit's mood (signaled by his reaching for his flask and taking a shot).

"Oh just great! Glad I'm out there chasing leads and missing chunks of my daughter's life..."

The intensity of his glare was something else when he turned back to face them.

"...to tell you jackasses something you already know!"

To everyone present it obvious that the man was pissed. One thing he said in that anger had provided the reason. James, Glynda, and Ozpin already knew about his daughter and how attached he was to her, making them take a split moment to feel sympathy. To Winter, however, the fact that Qrow (of all people) was a father was a complete shock. James tried to deescalate with a slightly softer tone of voice.

"Qrow..."

The glare was now directed at him as the angered man ignored him and continued.

"I don't know if anyone told you this, but communication works both ways!..."

He pulled out his scroll (an advance model that was highly encrypted).

"... These things have a send button you know!"

Winter (having recovered enough to speak) tried to further the general's efforts and calm the man down. Her voice had no malice in it.

"They had to be cautious. There was reason to believe you'd been compromised."

As soon as James heard those words from his specialist, he dropped his head in defeat. He knew that they'd just lost Qrow. He couldn't fault Schnee, she simply lacked the relevant personal information to know why those exact words were a bad idea. The sheer hatred he felt worked as a reminder to that fact. He didn't even have to look up to know that Qrow was furious (most of it directed at him). When he spoke again, the tension in the air was palpable.

"Is that so? Huh?"

As he heard the footsteps approach, James took a second to squeeze his eyes and gather his resolve. This wasn't going to be easy. When the sound of feet planting themselves directly in front of him reached his ears, the general put on his best stone face and looked up to red eyes of pure rage.

"So that's it huh? Jimmy? That's what you were gonna do?"

When Winter made to intervene, she was met with Ironwood's most commanding look she'd ever seen. Something must've gone to hell.

"Schnee, you're dismissed."

"Sir I-"

He went back to the staring match with the bandit in front of him. His voice giving no room for disobedience.

"Dismissed."

All she could was follow the command and leave. As soon as the elevator doors closed, Qrow opened verbal fire.

"Didn't want your little lackey knowing what your an was? Jimmy?"

Ironwood replied quickly.

"What is it you think I was going to do? Hmm?"

"Don't act stupid. You were gonna do to me what you did to her."

The venom in Qrow's voice was something only Ironwood and Ozpin had seen before, Glynda was stunned. She needed context for the intensity in the room.

'There's a history between these two I'm missing. I may not get the whole story, but I need something.'

"What exactly are you accusing him of Qrow?"

Without looking away from the man in front of him, Qrow answered her.

"He was going to cut me off, leave me out in the cold, and declare me dead..."

A sigh from the surprisingly silent headmaster was heard.

"... Just like he did to my wife."

"The mission was burned! I did my best to get us both out of there!..."

Ironwood ripped off his white glove, revealing his prosthetic hand.

"... The recovery team only found me, and I was half dead."

He paused to take a breath. His face softening for a few moments.

"I don't mind you blaming me. I did, in fact, fail to bring her home alive. For that I have no apology large enough for you..."

His look hardened right back up.

"... But to accuse me of sinking so low that I'd intentionally leave someone to die like that. That I will not tolerate."

Ozpin (who had been waiting for the exact moment to interrupt) decided now was the time to put the fire out. He stood from his chair and walked around his desk to separate the two men.

"Gentlemen please deal with these personal matters another time. Qrow, I assume you have valuable information if you came to deliver it in person."

Like that, the tension was gone. Felt like even the air around them took a breath of relief. Taking a few moments to compose himself, Qrow delivered what he was here for.

"What separates these infiltrators from the usual guys is the fact these are the ones who attacked Autumn. Something big is on it's way, and fast."

Ozpin gave a heavy sigh.

"I guess we have no time to waste. We must find our guardian."

A plan was made and things decided. As Qrow and Ironwood made to leave, Ozpin stopped Qrow.

"Qrow, we still have something to discuss."

He was confused as he approached Oz.

"Didn't we jus-"

The Headmaster raised a hand.

"I'm not speaking to the inner circle member..."

A smirk made it's way to the his face.

"... I'm now speaking to the father of one of my students. Since I have you here."

Qrow sighed in defeat as Glynda rolled her eyes. He had pretty good guess as to why they were talking about Ruby.

"What did she do now?"

"Oh where do I begin?"