Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Cold Compassion. Enjoy the 2000-word chapter. I don't own RWBY, Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth do.

(Atlas, Alsius Academy.)

It had been 3 days since the Battle of Mantle. There had been many changes since then.

At Ironwood's suggestion, Robyn became the newest council member. Fria had her body recovered and taken to the lower levels of the hospital. She was being prepared for a funeral following her death which Winter and Slater would attend when they recovered.

Robyn, flanked by the Ace Ops and her Happy Huntresses walked in.

"Hello James." Robyn said. Ironwood hummed.

"Councilwoman Hill. Clover informed me you'd be here, how are things?" He asked while Robyn took a seat.

"A few dozen people are staying in Mantle to rebuild. I've started seeing the repair of the walls. We staved off Salem's army." Ironwood hummed.

"Salem shifted her attention to Vale and Vacuo. She'll be attacking Vacuo to get the relic… We're going to be able to launch Amity Tower; Salem won't be able to divide us after this." Ironwood stated.

Robyn was the first to break the silence, she crossed her arms and sighed.

"How are they? I know they fought hell at the hospital. Fria died and now Salem doesn't have a maiden anymore." She said, Ironwood frowned.

"Winter and Slater are still recovering at the Atlas Hospital. Penny is with her father. Atlas is still healing; our people need to know their safe… Winter requested Slater be permanently assigned to her. I haven't seen the duo apart since their fight with Cinder." Ironwood stated.

"You're still interested in using the Maidens against Salem." Robyn pointed her finger at Ironwood.

"They're our best chance of fighting Salem… I'm considering options, Robyn. Penny wished to lead an exposition to retrieve the Crown of Choice from Vale… I can't allow it, not yet, we need all the support here." He said. Robyn frowned before sighing.

"I plan on fixing the wall, I've already asked RWBY, JNR and Qrow if their willing to escort the first convoy for the wall." Ironwood stated, Robyn walked to the window.

"We can't stay here while the entire world burns around us, James." She said. she turned to see the general frown.

"My army is exhausted and we just staved off an attack by Salem that nearly destroyed Mantle. I want to help Vacuo, but we need to plan another move carefully. We have to fix the wall, we killed 2 of Salem's inner circle and arrested a third. Hazel, Mercury Black, Emerald Sustrai and Neapolitan along with anything left of the White Fang Command are all Salem has left for warriors and officers." He said, Robyn sighed.

"Do you have a next move after you launch Amity Tower and we fix the wall?" Robyn asked. Ironwood hummed but nodded.

"WE have a plan." Oscar walked in and faced the duo while Ironwood looked out the window.

(Atlas Hospital 'M3')

"Easy, you're still healing. Our Auras might be back, but your arm is still being healed and your eye is still being iced…" Slater said, Winter groaned while Slater sighed.

Slater wore a hooded White and Blue Atlas Specialist Jacket. He had traded his blue and teal pants for a pair of black pants with white lines. He also had the Atlas symbol on the base of his dark blue undershirt. He also had a white scarf made from a hospital member for his help.

He also dark blue boots now and wore the glasses from the fight with Watts. Winter wore a simple Blue hospital gown with the Atlas Symbol on her left breast.

"Ugh…" Winter said while Slater rubbed at her healing fingers. His arm was slightly propped up, Slater ignored the pain at the moment and dabbed at her black eye.

"Even when you're a maiden, I have to baby you." Slater said, Winter looked at Slater with annoyance.

"I'd kick your ass… If I wasn't in this bed." Winter muttered, Slater chuckled and hummed.

"Maybe, but I'm still your partner. My place is smack dab at your side. You wouldn't have lasted so long if I didn't help you in your fight. I don't think we would have beaten her without the Ace-Ops or others." Slater said, there was a knock on the door.

The door… And wall, and roof…. We're being replaced. Winter had been moved to a more secure room and given a full military guard while she and Slater recovered.

"It's open!" Slater yelled. Winter groaned while Slater continued to ice her eye.

"For someone named 'Winter', you sure do hate the cold." He muttered while Weiss and Qrow entered.

Winter looked at her sister with her good right eye. Weiss ran up and hugged Winter who awkwardly returned the gesture with her right arm. Her left arm was wrapped up along with her ribs. Winter knew she'd be healed up within the end of the week hopefully.

"Hiya, ice queen." Qrow said before Slater removed the ice. Ironwood entered behind them and turned to a doctor.

"How are they, doctor?" The doctor turned to them and checked his clipboard.

"General Schnee has a slight concussion, obvious black eye along with light head trauma, she has second degree burns which have since healed with no permanent scaring. She has slight trauma to her right leg and she has had slight damage to her fingers… Her right hand is fine, Mr. Arc using his Semblance allowed her Aura to begin healing, her ribs are still mending and were set. Colonel Salvino has head trauma, light damage to his ribs which had healed and leg trauma. His arm has been healing and he should be able to remove the cast later today." He explained.

"Winter got more banged up then me. She just beat the crap out of me for ruining her attack on Winter. She tried to murder Winter for the Maiden powers." Slater said. he lightly rubbed at Winter's bare fingers.

"You ok?" Weiss asked. Slater shrugged.

"I'll be fine. My Aura is healing up Cinder's little temper tantrum. Winter is getting hissy I'm tending to her eye and fingers… I'm not the one who got more than half her right hand frostbitten, big baby." Winter swung at Slater with her good arm before wincing.

"Weiss, I'm fine. This was expected of me, I'm a specialist, a soldier, and a General of the Atlesian military." Winter said while Slater rolled his eyes.

"Weiss? You're have to forgive your sister, she's cranky she's been ordered to rest and mentally recharge without more work currently. We LITERALLY just stopped an invasion, I defeated my egocentric father and stopped him from hacking the city and Amity Tower… We locked up Tyrian, though him still being alive worries me. we finally also killed Cinder and deprived Salem of not only her strongest warrior, but a Maiden. We pretty much destroyed Salem's inner circle besides a few others. We have 2 maidens now, we stopped an invasion and got new allies and saved Mantle. Winter, I told you I'd confide in you more and such if YOU learned to stop being so prim and proper when it isn't demanded and learn to enjoy life." Slater stated. Winter grumbled and looked away while Slater patted her head and she blushed.

"Winter, you are a Maiden and one of the best people to stand a chance of fighting Salem besides Penny. You need to rest until your physically and mentally ready to move on." Ironwood stated before sighing and looking at his scroll.

"Cordo just pointed out the sensors on the coastline have been done and their fixing them. I'm worried Salem might try something else." The general walked over to Qrow.

"Oscar would like to talk with you, Qrow. We need every person we have ready for a fight if it comes." He said. Qrow left, but not without a look at Winter and Slater.

"How long till their discharged?" Weiss asked the doctor before he turned and looked at the duo.

"A few days or so. Her partner hasn't left her side. Colonel Salvino has been icing her eye, making sure her arm healed properly. He's also helped her morphine injections and helped make sure her legs were fine… Ms. Schnee? If you two weren't in the military? I'd assume you were married. Mr. Salvino refused treatment until he was sure you'd recover… I'd advice getting some sleep, Mr. Salvino." The doctor stated. Winter rolled her eyes and smiled at Slater.

"He's just a good friend, doctor… Ow, damn…" Slater checked her arm and then put more morphine into the iv on her arm.

"I swear to god, you're never going to leave if you keep struggling. General, I'm going to stay here. Ms. Schnee needs me… Also, my injuries prevent me from getting back to the field right away. Me and Winter are going to be nursing off Cinder's attack for quite some time." Slater said. Ironwood nodded.

"I know, that's why I'm permanently assigning you to Winter and giving you 2 months to recharge, work off any physical therapy and deal with training of the Maiden powers." Ironwood stated, Winter's eyes widened.

"But Sir…!" Ironwood glared at his second in command and shook his head.

"Winter, I accepted you into the military because of your skill and potential. You cannot get back into the field without training. Salem is hunting all 4 of the Maidens and relics, this is about more than a war. You are one of the only people capable of opposing Salem if the plan me, Oscar, Glynda and Theodore are working on doesn't succeed. I refuse to let you charge in and get yourself hurt more. I get that you wish to help, but I'm not the type of general to order injured soldiers to fight. if you won't rest and work on your maiden powers willingly? I am ordering you to. We aren't in a position to attack Salem anyway. no weapon can harm her and departing Atlas to fight Salem leaves Atlas undefended." Ironwood said. Slater sighed.

"Sir. I'll keep an eye on her. she's my partner, I'll update you if you need any information." Winter blushed again and Ironwood nodded.

"Slater, when your arm is healed? We need to talk. I know your take shorter times to heal since you retrieved somewhat less punishment then Winter. Meet me in my office tomorrow." Ironwood gestured to the others to leave.

Slater shook his head at Winter.

"I love how you can go from 'I'm worried about you, you stupid boob'! to 'I will get out of this hospital bed and keep fighting!' your starting to act like me." Slater said. Winter looked at him holding her defrosting hand and her blush continued.

Did she…? No, her feelings for Slater were professional, businesslike, it was a partnership.

A partnership where Slater told her jokes, she enjoyed no matter how stupid, how he would help her and wait on her hand and foot without asking. How he tried to make sure her father's presence wouldn't bother her. how he didn't care about her status and brought up her….

"Slater?" Winter asked. Slater went to speak, Winter was faster.

"Would you wish to go on a romantic…. A date?" Winter asked, Slater blinked.

"I… Ok?" Slater asked, neither knew how much one date would change them.

Both of the duo looked at each other, unsure what to say at the moment. Winter didn't expect a blunt response and Slater didn't expect Winter to ask him out.

Author Notes

Phew, another chapter done! I want to point out that I'm trying to show the aftermath as showing neither side has won. I'm also having trouble trying to write the romance so I apologize if it comes off as awkward and such. I think Winter would have a hard time being romantic. Next chapter will be on Saturday and will show Slater and Winter's date. until then, Lighting Wolf out!