They had been in Atlas academy for a few weeks. Ruby needed to improve her skill without Crescent Rose. Everyone was excited about their new weapons and understandably wanted to try them out. So she could practice unarmed combat against armed combatants. No one to guide her, though. Not even Yang, who was newly enamored with Ember Cecelia.

Behind her she heard a melodic tone, "So what grave sin has your gardening tool committed?"

When was the last time someone insulted her weapon? It felt like years ago.

"Oh, I just wished I could find someone to instruct me hand-to-hand. I'm sufficient, but I want to be better."

"I could be of service if you want to be less manageable to the bad guys."

She looked at him, bright orange hair slicked back, showing off a green eye, and the other was marred with what looked like old blood. A vicious scar that made him seem cruel, he had an easy smile, though. He appeared familiar, but a lot of the men in Atlas military uniform began to blur together.

She tucked her weapon in her belt and nodded, "Thank you,." She stuck out her hand, "I'm Ruby"

Shaking it, "Roger."

She smiled brightly, and he flushed.

XXX

It had been days, and finally, she got him on the defensive. Even while he fell backward, he gave her a smug look. Then, he hooked her knee with his foot, she pinwheeled her arms. Ultimately she fell on top of him with a grunt.

She quipped, "Serves you right for playing dirty."

"Or maybe I have you right where I want you." His hands wandered up to her waist.

"If I knew you were such a shameless flirt, I wouldn't have accepted your help."

Winking, "Yet here you are on top of me."

She huffed, "I think you're all talk and no action Roger.

His fingers laced through her hair, combing through seeing the black transition to red. She hadn't moved off of him, and silver eyes wandered over his face. He pulled her down slightly to brush his mouth against hers.

He hoped she couldn't feel his heart hammer against her.

XXX

Ruby hummed next to him in his kitchen. Chopping vegetables as he directed. Teasing, "Isn't vegetable stew a bit standard-issue Atlassian fare."

He smirked, "What do you expect from a career military man."

"I don't know. I thought my boyfriend would have been more creative."

He looked away and stared hard at the pot he was mixing. "We are dating, aren't we?"

She giggled and kissed him on the cheek, "I know we haven't made it official. I mean, I have been staying the night here a lot. And I-"

He softened, "Of course." He kissed the top of her head, "We are an um a good fit."

She dug her toe into the ground, "You seem unhappy. Do you not want to be exclusive."

He touched under his scarred eye,"I adore you. But I've done missions, and they...weigh on me. You are so…" He did know the words as he cupped her cheek.

She pulled his tall frame down into a kiss, "You could tell me."

"I've...been undercover. I've asked and I don't have the authorization." He looked aside, and let loose a slow exhale.

"It's okay Roger, not everyone has to know everything. I only care about how I see you treat others." She rubbed her arms, "Why is it so cold!"

He gave that lop-sided smile which made her stomach flutter. "You islanders can't handle a little cold. Grab one of my coats."

She rolled her eyes, "I don't remember saying I was from an island."

"Maybe Yang mentioned it? Or Qrow?"

She wandered over to his closet, "Ah right when they were grilling you." She opened the wardrobe and hoped to find a hoodie. Instead, her fingers wandered over a familiar smooth fabric at the end of the closet. She couldn't quite place it.

Roger added the vegetables to the pot, "I did not expect the Qrow Branwen to ask me, how have I not shot myself yet. "

Ruby snickered, as she pushed things aside to find a white jacket. It was expensive. More costly than anything she saw him wear. The moving of cloth revealed a hooked cane in the corner of the small space.

Canes were standard weapons.

Yeah absolutely, she even traveled with a farmer who used a cane.

Suuuuuper common.

He hugged her from behind. Roger smelled like tobacco and cinnamon. The dead guy she was thinking of couldn't have smelled this good.

"Have a hard time figuring out what to steal from your boyfriend, Red."

Ruby Rose had not picked a lot of men in her adult life, but she had to admit her picker was definitely broken.

"What the! Torchwick off of me!"

She twirled out of his arms, and went straight for the door. Making a broad step, he snatched her by the waist to throw her into his cot. Narrowing her eyes as she pulled her scroll out, he swatted it out of her hand, and she flipped over to scramble for it. He dropped his body on top of her to pin her onto stomach.

Except her rubooty pushed back on him.

Grunting, "I'm getting some mixed messages here." He could practically feel her mind whirling, certain she was conflicted. "Re-Ruby. We can talk to my superior officer. Winter can verify who I-"

The woman beneath him dissolved into flowers and he fell through her. Then, rolling onto his back, he found himself facing the business end of a sniper rifle.

"Roman Torchwick, where is your partner in crime and what are you trying to steal?" She was trembling.

Holding both hands up, "I'm Roger -"

She growled, "You've been messing with me." Tears began to well at the corner of her eyes.

Gently, "Ruby I've hurt you, and I'm sorry. I played Roman, I'm not him, I was doing a job the General ordered me to do."

Suppressing a sob, "It doesn't make sense. Why were you arrested!" Her voice cracked.

Carefully keeping his hands where she could see them, "I don't have the authorization to explain."

"Why-Why were you helping me learn how to fight? I don't see how that could have been beneficial to you."

"You were...when I played Torchwick," Swallowing thickly, "I would have killed you if it compromised my job. I took advantage of your weaknesses back then, and I thought I could make up for it. I didn't expect this..." He gestured vaguely between them.

Her finger on the trigger, "We are going to see Winter."

Moving slowly to open his door, "Then shall we?"