One week until new starter. Please be as good as you were in interview.

Cover Art: Mystery White Flame

Chapter 42

"So…" Jaune lounged in the doorway to Salem's room, leaning on the frame and not quite sure what to say. Rather, he knew what he wanted to say but couldn't find the words. He wasn't likely to get much help either as only they and Tyrian were in the house. The others were either out gathering supplies, enjoying the city if they weren't wanted internationally and, in Mercury's case, on a date. He was on his own unless he wanted to ask Tyrian for advice (and who did?) so in the end he just gave up and said it. "Did my dad say anything weird to you?"

"Your sire said nothing unusual." Salem replied. "He was conscientious, polite and a gentleman. You could do well to learn from his example."

Jaune didn't need to be told twice there. He'd spent most of his life tyring to live up to his dad, even if Nicholas always told him it was better to find his own way. Easy for him to say. He was a cool huntsman, beloved by all the ladies and ridiculously confident. He didn't know what it was like to be as weak and pathetic as he was.

"It's just that he gave me this heavy look before he left, gripped my shoulder and told me I need to do more for you…"

"You do."

"I carry you. I cook for you. I practically wait on you…"

"There is always more you could do," she replied. Arrogantly, she stuck her feet out and wriggled her toes. "A foot massage for one. I had to walk through those tunnels to find you. Me! Tunnels!"

He didn't bother to ask if she was joking – Salem did not. Instead, he grumbled and knelt, took her foot and started rubbing and squeezing. He uses to make pocket money giving his mom massages, then extra giving them to Saphron when she'd come back with sore feet after waiting in the local diner. That was before she met Terra of course. Jaune pushed his thumbs between the ball of Salem's foot and her heel and ran them in opposite circles.

"He said I should treat you like the most important person in the world."

"Hm, that's good. What of it? I am the most important person in the world."

"He also said I should do my best to satisfy you."

"Of course you should."

"And you don't think any of that was a little weird?"

Salem moaned happily and lounged back on the cushions. One of her blue-green eyes opened to peer down at him. "What do you want me to say, Jaune?" she asked breathily. "Clearly, your father has his head screwed on straight and recognises my grandeur. All should aspire to be so perceptive."

Right. Of course. Because Salem clearly deserved pampering. Jaune rolled his eyes but didn't stop rubbing her feet. It was easier than arguing, and it wasn't like he didn't owe her for saving him. The Grimm would have caught them eventually and he couldn't fight them off forever.

"What about that Cinder person who has the Grimm?" he asked.

"Cinder. Minion of mine. Very pathetic." Salem answered in short bursts, more intent on enjoying her massage than answering. "No need to worry. She couldn't scheme her way out of a wet paper bag."

"You don't think we should be cautious?"

"No," she moaned. "I think we should focus on more important things."

"Like what?"

Salem shoved her foot into his face in answer.

Jaune could only sigh.

/-/

"You met with Salem?"

Qrow fidgeted on the spot, unsure if it was a good idea to tell Ozpin or not and whether this would end up with him branded a traitor and put through interrogation. He didn't think the old man would have him arrested normally, but when you had the queen of all evil in your city, you tended to be a little more prone to drastic action than normal. Qrow eyed the closest window and wondered if it wasn't too late to make a flap for it.

"Cease your eyeing of exits and answer the question."

"I… may have met with her…"

"Qrow, for the love of the Brother Gods, I do not have time for hypotheticals. I brought you in to act as my eyes and ears. I am not going to be angry at you for doing your job!"

"You sound angry."

"I have just gotten off a multi-person call between the council and the insurance companies. They are suggesting I carry the memorial back to Vale, through the Emerald Forest, then have my students try and install it as some sort of public relations event. All on our time and cost. I am not angry, Qrow, I am apoplectic. And if I don't get an answer soon, I might be tempted to aim that at you!"

Qrow caved. Raven would have called him a whipped little bitch for it, but Raven was currently pretending to be Ruby's pet bird to avoid Salem, so Qrow couldn't take anything she said seriously. Certainly not any criticism. He kept Nicholas Arc's name out of it, along with Hazel Rainart, if only so he wouldn't be asked to try and spy on or help arrest them. Instead, he made it sound like he'd come across them in the tunnels and introduced himself peacefully. Everything Nicholas said, he claimed as his own. Mostly to protect Nick (or more like protect himself from the bastard's rage, but same thing) but the fact it made Qrow sound like a bit of a badass didn't hurt.

"I literally asked her at the end if she was going to spend her time plotting the downfall of Vale or not, and her answer was that Vale isn't worth it. That we're all so arrogant and self-observed to think she'd even care."

"And you believe her?"

"Kind of. I mean, you didn't hear her. Every word is like she's looking down on you, judging you, finding you wanting…"

"Yes. Salem was always good at that."

"You were judged too, huh?"

"No." Ozpin said simply. "I always met her expectations, but then I'm me and you're you so I suppose this is to be expected." While Qrow was trying to figure out if that was an insult or not, Ozpin continued. "I want to believe her, I really do, and I'm content to play the part and withhold hostilities if she is. The problem is that she's spent the last few thousand years trying to eradicate humanity, so it's hard to see why she would suddenly stop."

"Ah. Actually, I think I may have the answer there…"

"Is this about that rumour you heard of she and Jaune Arc are dating?" Ozpin sighed and rolled his eyes. "Really, Qrow, even if that is reality the act of getting a boyfriend isn't going to cause someone to experience a complete one-eighty in personality and goals. To even suggest as such is a little insulting to women everywhere."

"True. But a lot of people – men and women both – start thinking differently when it's suddenly not just you your actions will affect. When they have someone else to start thinking about."

"Someone…?"

"Salem is pregnant."

Qrow waited for the outburst. The great gears behind Ozpin's chair churned and clicked loudly in the silence that hung in the office for more than a few minutes. Although Ozpin's eyebrows rose ever upwards, he didn't react with shock or horror. "You're sure?" he asked calmly.

Qrow felt robbed.

"Pretty sure." Nicholas had asked a lot of pointed questions and Salem responded to each in kind. Plus, Hazel had told him Salem was pregnant. "It's why she's in her human form right now," he explained. "It's for the baby's sake."

"Salem said that?"

"She said that the kid – Arc – put her in that state and that he's taking responsibility for it. I mean, I didn't literally ask because I was worried she'd take it as a threat-"

"Hm. Good point." Ozpin nodded. "Salem wouldn't want to reveal a weakness to us, not that I would ever strike at such a thing. Go on."

"Well, she confirmed she's been feeling hungrier than ever, that she can't walk as much as she's used to. I asked the kid if she's been having any mood swings recently and he gave me this suffering look. Then said `she IS a mood swing`. They're definitely a thing," Qrow said. "Salem was even dolled up like they were going on a date."

"In the tunnels to Mountain Glenn?"

"That was a diversion apparently. The White Fang were holding her boyfriend hostage for some reason and she was going to push their stuff in. Turns out that was a waste because the Grimm did it for them. But yeah, she looked fancier than she did on Ironwood's ship. Had her hair pinned up and a fair bit of makeup like she was glamming up for a romantic evening."

"That would explain the reservation…" Ozpin mumbled.

"What?"

"There was a reservation made at an up-market restaurant called Pierre's known for its romantic date setting. The reservation was allegedly made by a Tyrian, who threatened the manager into granting them a table, and signed in Salem's name. Naturally, the proprietor recognised the name from the news and contacted the proper authorities. At first, I thought it a coincidence. Salem wouldn't be so daft as to book ahead and walk into a trap. I assumed it was a couple with similar names or a silly prank by some locals."

It sounded like something him and Taiyang would have done when they were back in Beacon. Then Summer would find out, kick the ever-loving crap out of them and force them to apologise to Ozpin while Raven mocked from a distance. Qrow chose to remain silent on that.

"Did you do anything about it?" Qrow asked.

"James is down there right now on a `date` with Glynda along with their pet dog, Clover. The other members of the Ace-Ops are similarly `dating` while the entire building is surrounded by armed men."

Qrow blinked. "Sounds romantic…"

"Yes. I've asked Glynda to prevent any disasters. I'm fairly sure I need to pay her overtime for this one. At least this kidnapping attempt by the White Fang means they're unlikely to show."

"It also implies they're not on the best of relations." Qrow said. "Kinda good news after the whole Menagerie fiasco."

"That's true."

"What do you think of her being pregnant?" Qrow asked. He was curious both professionally and not. This was Ozpin's ex-wife after all. A lot of people would be bothered by this. As usual, Ozpin surprised him.

"I think it's wonderful news."

"You do!?"

"Yes." Ozpin's smile was wide and honest. "Salem doted on our children. Motherhood changed her in ways that were beautiful to see, and it's one of my greatest regrets how that came to an end. I can fully believe the prospect of becoming a mother again would make her want to change her ways, at least in the short term of not staring a war while she is pregnant. The looming prospect of parenthood has a way of making you question your life choices."

He'd been there when Taiyang and Raven went through it, then Taiyang and Summer. He wanted to say it hadn't worked on Raven but he supposed it had. She'd been tense and oddly quiet during her pregnancy. It was obvious in hindsight she had been questioning herself, but the sad reality was that she'd decided not to embrace it. She'd made the wrong decision, at least from his point of view, whereas Summer and Taiyang had been happy to put everything on hold to give Yang and Ruby the best lives they could.

"It doesn't bother you then?" he asked, a little impressed with Ozpin's candour. "There aren't any hard feelings?"

"None at all. I wish Mr Arc and Salem the best and hope he can keep her happy and out of trouble. Remnant will be in a better place if he can."

"Right. Do we tell Ironwood about this?"

Ozpin stared hard at him. "Do you need to visit the infirmary?"

"No. Why?"

"Because that is such a stupid question that I cannot help but wonder if you have suffered a concussion."

Qrow winced. "Uh. So, do we?"

"No. No, we do not tell James. He would see her pregnancy as a weakness to be taken advantage of, either to strike at her while she is vulnerable, to take or harm the baby or to capture Mr Arc to use as leverage on her. None of those are good options!" Ozpin impressed on Qrow. "I have seen the fallout of her losing her children once before, and I will tell you now that Remnant will not survive a second occurrence."

"Yikes…"

"If you have the chance to meet her again, take it."

"Sir?"

"Take it. Spend time with them. Talk to her. If she is calm, tell her that I wish her and Mr Arc all the happiness in the world. Tell her that so long as she does not strike at us, we shall not strike at her." Ozpin leaned forward. "And for the love of everything, Qrow, keep Ironwood away from her. Keep her out of trouble. Keep both her and Mr Arc out of trouble. Am I understood!?"

"Y-Yes. Understood." Qrow gulped, not because of Ozpin's tone but because of the importance of such a job. This could very well determine whether Vale prospered of went up in flames. "I-I'll keep them out of trouble. I mean, how hard can it be? It's not like they go out their way to get in trouble or something."

Even his luck couldn't be thatrotten.

/-/

"Report."

"No sign of the target, sir."

"Lovely weather we're having, isn't it?"

"Noted. Keep a tight perimeter-"

"You asked me out here, James."

"Hm?" James Ironwood brought his finger down from his ear to regard his dinner date for the evening. Glynda Goodwitch had done her hair up and applied some light makeup over a form-fitting black dress. She looked lovely, he would be the first to admit. "Sorry, I-" The bell above the restaurant's door jingled and Ironwood's eyes whipped to it. "Report!"

"Two guests. We let them through as instructed. They didn't see us."

Excellent. James feigned a sip from his glass of wine and tracked the silver-haired man as he spoke to a waiter. The man checked off a name and led them toward a table at the back of the restaurant. The man looked confident, the woman a little nervous but not unhappy by any means. James' eyes narrowed.

"One man, one woman," he whispered. "Silver and black hair respectively. They could be dye. Clover, can you hear them?"

The dog laid obediently on the floor next to them nodded its head. His canine hearing had been greatly enhanced by his transformation and he had tilted his head toward the table. "Good. If that's them in disguise then-"

"That is Miss Belladonna." Glynda said crossly.

Ironwood's eyes flicked back to his date. "You recognise her? Is she a potential ally of-"

"She is a student in Beacon. The young man with her is likely a local she is dating, as I am someone you asked on a date tonight."

"Of course. Of course. I wonder what they are up to."

"Conversing, I would imagine. Having light conversation over dinner." As she said it, the silver-haired man said something and the dark-haired girl laughed back. "Look at him. He's a proper gentleman to be keeping his date entertained, don't you think?"

"Yes. Yes." Ironwood answered distractedly and pressed his finger to his ear again. "I want cameras focused on them. I want lip readers to get me a transcript of their conversation by morning. If there is any-" Something sharp pricked his arm and he yelped. "Ow!" There was nothing and no one there. "What was that?"

"A wasp," Glynda said waspishly. "And it may well sting you again if it is angered."

Clover whined pitifully.

"Leave Miss Belladonna and her private moments to her," she told him, gripping his chin with a forceful hand, and turning it back to her. "When you invited me out tonight, you did not make it clear this would be a sting operation."

James grunted. "What did you think it would be?"

"Hm. I wonder!"

Clover whined again and kicked his paw against Ironwood's leg. His second-in-command seemed to be trying to convey something, but James couldn't decipher it. Wait! Was he saying he'd heard something threatening from that table over there? James turned to stare, even as Clover began kicking harder and harder, and as Glynda fumed away.

"Sir!" A soldier's voice came through. "We have contact."

"Contact?" he hissed. "Who?"

"Three figures. Unknown allegiance. They're staying hidden – clearly trying their best to be stealthy. We haven't been noticed yet. Should we intervene?"

"Negative. Observe for now and try to catch them in the act. Don't put yourselves at risk."

"Yes sir."

A waiter approached. "Are you ready to order?" he asked patiently. Ironwood grumbled. This was a stakeout, but the waiter kept coming to ask and he was aware they would look suspicious without. He waved to Glynda so she could order whatever she wanted, only listening with half an ear. "And the sir?"

"What did they order?" he asked, pointing.

"They?" the waiter looked. "Um. I believe it was the shared fish platter, sir."

A code? A drop-off? A coincidence? Ironwood didn't care. "I'll take that."

"As the sir wishes. Would you like some more wine, ma'am?" he asked Glynda. "Perhaps something a little stronger to tide you over?"

"Yes." Glynda replied frostily. "Yes, I think that's a good idea."

Ironwood raised an eyebrow as the waiter left, then looked to Glynda. "What was that about?" he asked.

"Oh, nothing," she said. "Nothing at all. So, finally going to pay some attention to me, are you? Or would you prefer to spy on a young couple's date?"

"I don't need to. I'll have full transcripts come tomorrow. Do you want to see them?"

"No. I believe I will not intrude on a student's personal life. How are you, James? Outside of all this, outside of work. It's been months since we had a chance to meet in person and go out like this. Have you been well?"

"Well enough." In truth, he did miss the easier times. There had been a time where all he ever wanted was to get Glynda to go out with him like she was now. Before the duty and the responsibility. "Things are… difficult right now. I've had to adapt to spending half my time as an aquatic animal and the rest having an arm I'd long given up on." He moved his right arm for emphasis. It still felt itchy and alien. "All in all, it's not bad. You?"

"School has gone well. The Vytal Festival is demanding and I'll be glad to have it over and done with."

"Ha. Tell me about it. I couldn't wait to be rid when it was our turn to host it."

They shared a quick laugh and he found himself relaxing into the date a little, enjoying the rare chance to just spent time with Glynda. Their food came and Ironwood sampled some of the fresh fish, a little bothered by how much he liked seafood lately when he hadn't used to but forcing the issue away so as not to ruin the moment. Really, it was nice to be able to relax and not have to worry about a sudden attack-

The windows shattered inward as a body hurtled through, struck the table Vine and Harriet were eating at, upended it and threw their meals to the floor, skidded another few feet and came to a halt at Ironwood's feet. The man was not in uniform – no one on an undercover stakeout would be – but he recognised each of the men and women he'd handpicked, and this was one of his soldiers. Garbed in a black coat, grey jumper and black shades that were now shattered, the man stared up at Ironwood with a bloody nose and a dazed expression.

Ironwood shot to his feet. "What in-" He ducked as another body was launched in. Another one of his men. "Attack!" he roared. "We're under attack! All units converge! Converge and subdue!"

Madness ensued. There were gunshots, impacts, cries and shouting. Ironwood vaulted the table, caught and set a flying body down safely and drew his gun. The second he did, Vine leapt back through the window with a sheet of ice seeking to impale him. He slipped aside gracefully and avoided it, only to be forced to bend backwards as a fist rocketed for his face.

Ironwood roared and charged the person responsible. He caught yellow hair, red eyes – inhuman, even – and then a fire-coated fist rushing for him. It was quick, but he was quicker. Stepping aside, he let the fist sail by, hooked his arm over it and dug his forearm down on the back of the assailant's elbow, threatening to break it and bearing them down. They dropped to one knee with a grunt and a snarl, threw their head back and cracked their skull into his jaw. A less trained fighter might have been knocked off, but James took it on his aura and accepted the pain, pushed the opponent down and locked their arm behind their back.

Someone shouted and a bullet shot toward him. Again, he pushed his aura forward and refused to give up his downed opponent. He could take the shot or someone would take it for him. Neither proved necessary as a purple shield erected itself between him and the shooter, the round pinging off it with ease. Glynda's work. He grinned smugly.

That smile soon died.

"STOP!" Glynda shouted furiously. "STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!"

Ironwood didn't. Did she expect their enemy to halt just because she ordered them to? If so, she was out of practice. It was something of a surprise then when the gunfire did stop. When the person under his arm did stop trying to fight her way out. When the ice sheet disappeared into motes of dust to reveal a girl in a white dress that Ironwood recognised as Winter's younger sister.

"M-Miss Goodwitch…?" Weiss Schnee stammered.

"Enough of this! James, let her go. Miss- no. Team RWBY. Come here right now!"

A girl in red appeared before Glynda in a blur, her face pale and nervous, her silver eyes wide. Weiss Schnee hurried after her, wincing to herself as she finally looked and recognised Ironwood. "Oh no," she whispered.

"Oh no what?" the girl under James groaned as she pushed herself up. "It's just- oh fuck."

"Yang!?" The cry came from the other table. The other couple. The black-haired girl in a purple dress was staring at them as if she'd never seen anything more embarrassing in her life. She groaned and pushed her face into her hands. "I can't believe this is happening. Oh my good-"

"It's not what it looks like, Blake!" the girl in red yelped.

"You were being stalked!" the blonde yelled. "There were loads of creeps outside perving on you. They were recording your date!"

Recording? Oh. Ironwood coughed and then coughed again as Glynda looked at him with a raised eyebrow. He didn't say anything, however, leaving her to sigh and face down the three assailants, who it appeared were students of Beacon.

"Team RWBY-"

"We were protecting Blake's modesty!"

"You were stalking me!" Blake howled. "And how is this my fault!?"

"Ahem. Team RWY," Glynda amended, missing out the B much to the girl's satisfaction. "Would you like to provide me a good explanation for why you have attacked people unprovoked, caused damage to this establishment and interrupted not only your teammate's, but my, date?"

The girls wilted.

"Um." Yang said. "We wanted to make sure Blake was okay?"

"I said a good reason."

"M-Miss Goodwitch." Weiss argued. "The restaurant was surrounded by suspicious looking characters with recording equipment aimed inside. There was clearly something untoward going on, and it is our responsibility, our duty, to deal with it."

Nice try. James would give her points for effort and poise, but she'd forgotten one thing. As expected, Glynda had not.

"Is it now, Miss Schnee?" she asked. "I wasn't aware that we were training our huntresses in the noble art of date-stalking." Three winces. "Nor was I aware my combat studies were to be utilised on Atlesian soldiers." Winces and panicked noises. "Also, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the primary purpose of huntresses, your duty, was to protect people from Grimm. Now tell me, where in this moment were the Grimm present? Was it a Grimm you sent sailing through this window?"

Silence.

"I asked you a question, Team RWY. I expect an answer."

The leader in red looked up helplessly. "N-Nowhere…?"

"Yes Miss Rose. Nowhere. Well noticed."

"Are… Are we in trouble…?"

Glynda's smile was all teeth. "Take a guess."

/-/

Blake wished she could be sucked into a dark hole opening underneath her. With a groan and a sigh, she collapsed back into her seat, one arm over her eyes and the other clenched in a fist that was banging on the table, but that she wished could be rapping her teammates across their skulls.

"Friends of yours?" her date, her paramour, asked.

"T-Teammates." That she stammered was embarrassing already, but she'd been nervous all night. Her date, Mercury, was nowhere near as old or sleazy as she and the others had been afraid. He was her age – a huge relief – and although he seemed to know a lot more about her than she was comfortable with, he'd been nice enough. Not unattractive, not pushy, a little sarcastic at times but she liked that. He had a sharp wit and so did she. "Idiots," she grumbled. "I'm going to kill them for this. I can't believe they came out and followed us. I can't believe I didn't notice!"

"Maybe you were distracted," Mercury teased.

Blake shot him a quick glare for that one. Yes, she'd been distracted and a little nervous around him but what first date wasn't? This was a guy who plied her with enough flowers and chocolate to woo half the school, then a wedding ring. It was practically a declaration of intent. At least he hadn't said anything about it here. Blake wasn't wearing it and she'd been terrified he'd bring it up. He was pretty suave. More than she'd originally given him credit for.

"It makes for a memorable date at any rate," she said.

"I can't complain. Did you enjoy the meal?"

"It was good," she said. "This place is a little expensive, though. How did you even get a reservation? Weiss told me the waiting list is over two months."

"It's all about knowing the right people."

"Someone in charge here?"

"More like someone who has a unique approach to convincing people to do what they want. He helped set me up."

"He sounds like a good friend."

For some reason, Mercury shuddered.

"No?" she asked.

"More like a crazy idiot I happen to have to share oxygen with. He's likeable, but every time I think that I start to wonder if I haven't been infected by his brand of stupidity. Let's just say he's weird and leave it at that. A total fanatic. Religious loon."

"He sounds like a character."

"Tyrian definitely is that." Mercury said as they all watched Miss Goodwitch escort both her team, General Ironwood and several lightly bruised soldiers outside. The owner of the restaurant was arguing rather loudly with them about the window. "I don't want to talk about my lot, though." His fingers touched her hand. "I'd much rather talk about you."

Blake's heart fluttered. "Me? I'm no one special."

"I very much disagree on that."

Mercury with the smooth moves. Ironwood less so.

Next Chapter: 15th November

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