Chapter 16...No puns…

This has been a long time coming, and will definitely be one of the more complex chapters thus far. Multiple subjects touched upon, a heart opening alas, blackmail - what else could you ask of me?

Nerdy: I have plenty of things I could ask.

? : Do I talk now?

Nerdy: Everyone, say hello to our newest member. You might recognize him from the review section. He's a nice guy too.

HelpingHand: Hello everyone, my name is HelpingHand. Nerdy and Bloody have asked me to act as their beta reader / editor for some of their stories. I'm a big fan of their work so I'm very happy I can help even in some small way. I will mostly be doing the story itself and not the AN or review replies.

Nerdy: Not to worry, everyone appreciates your help. And if anyone else wants to lend a hand, feel free to let us know.

HelpingHand takes a deep breath: Let me know if you can see a difference from the last chapter and this one, let me know if I'm doing a good job. I'm no professional but I'm trying my best. I'm open to hearing away I can improve so if you see a mistake drop a comment labeled for me or PM me. Nerdy and Bloody have told me I'm doing a good job but they might just be being nice and I'm not used to positive feedback but I'm sure comments on the internet will give me an honest opinion with no amount of hate in it.

I call him Handy and you can too. Now on with the show. Handy's addition to the team is bound to make improvements, and I await your feedback guys and lemme know if you notice any differences so I can praise Handy a bit.

REVIEWS:

Bwooodlord: Mini-Boss? Dude, we are not even at the middle stage yet, the Bosses have yet to appear.

Nerdy: luckypickl3 - yeahhhh boyyyy

Jajur von Hohenzollern: No one will give up, relax.

Once again, the Council was summoned, and this time, it now had a name. The Adam Council. Jaune felt that calling it the Arc Council would be a bit self-centered of him, not to mention this is a council made for the men to help each other, even if it is currently helping only him right now. Currently, the Adam Council was gathered in Ozpin's office, with Glynda having been sent away. The present ones were Jaune, Ren, Ash, Roman, Ironwood, Ozpin, Cardin, Sun, and Neptune. Hei had to tend to some business at his club, so he was not present here today with them.

The Council was gathered here today in order to discuss the current most pressing issue at hand; Emerald. Even if Salem and Cinder had been dealt with, Jaune had the foresight to know that she would give him some trouble in more ways than one. This meant they had to be ready.

"Alright, everyone, you know why you are all here today?" Jaune asked, receiving collective nodes from everyone. "Good. The target this time is Emerald Arc Sustrai, one of Cinder's underlings and definitely a problematic girl."

"I managed to dig up some information on her, but not much." Ironwood stepped forward. "She was born in Vacuo where she grew up on the streets; her Aura was unlocked through means unknown and got her Semblance which she used to commit multiple acts of petty theft. I could not pinpoint the moment Cinder had picked her up, but I can tell she had a difficult upbringing."

"Thanks for the insight, General." Jaune said, thanking the man. "Judging by her behavior as well, I think she is somewhat mischievous. Ash? Roman? Anything to add?"

The master thief scoffed. "She is bound to be a handful, I tell ya. She was even able to pickpocket me once, which is a pretty good testament to her skills. However, I highly suggest you keep an eye on her if you go anywhere where there is a large crowd or an open stand, or even inside a store with nice things. Once a thief, always a thief!"

"Roman is right." Ash added. "It is unlikely Emerald has fallen from her old habits, even if her current arrangements seem preferable."

"So you're saying she might steal from somewhere during this date?" Cardin asked, seeming somewhat interested by that detail. "Where from?"

"If I were to guess, from whatever place I take her to or she leads me to" Jaune sighed. "On one hand, I am glad she is one of the last girls on the list, but at the same time I am scared of what she might do. Breaking the law is likely as natural to her as breathing from what Ironwood told me."

"Then adequate measures will be taken." Ironwood said. "If she does steal something, that should be grounds for arrest."

"James, please, try not to be too handcuff-happy." Ozpin said. "If Miss Arc Sustrai cannot keep her lecherous fingers in check, then we will do this with Valean laws. This means that if she can pay for the product or the fine she is free to go." Ironwood was heard letting out a long groan at that.

"Your laws are too kind, Ozpin. In Atlas, the minimum punishment for theft is three months in prison." Many flinched at that, except for Roman who was familiar with the law. "It is important to install discipline, no matter the level of the offense."

"Maybe we could not talk about politics here, please? Not everyone here is interested in the subject." Neptune asked, to which the adults relented. "Now, so, this girl likes to steal things, right? That doesn't seem like it would cause much of a problem."

"Unless someone doesn't notice it until she pawns it off and gets rid of it." Roman added slyly. "See, this is where I shine." He got up, twirling his cane around. "I can somewhat understand the girl's mind, since we come from similar backgrounds, meaning that I can advise you on how to best deal with her!"

"Is that wise, though?" Ren asked, feeling skeptical. "I mean, Emerald is not you, Roman, so how can you tell how she really thinks-"

"Actually, Roman has a point. And I am not saying this because he and her work together." Ash said, backing up the master thief. "Each thief is different, but we all have stuff in common."

"Being pathological liars?"

"Having no moral ground?"

"Being outlaws?"

Those were the things asked by Ironwood, Ozpin, and Ren respectively. "Those things as well." Roman admitted, reluctantly. "But also the need to have someone you can trust in this world. This is why I have Neo!" Jaune's attention became focused on Roman. "In our line of business, today's friend can always become tomorrow's enemy, meaning you never know who to trust. In most cases, you can only trust yourself. Emerald came to trust Cinder, which is why she follows her around so much and is likely a lesbo for as well, but that is beside the point! Somewhat." He cleared his throat. "My point is that the girl will never truly open up to Jauney boy here unless he does something worth making him a trusted person! Someone whom the girl would give her own life to knowing that he will keep her safe no matter what!"

"Woah…" Sun said, sounding somewhat impressed by Roman's passionate speech. "That was deep, man."

"It is certainly a new insight on criminals." Ironwood remarked. "But how do you propose Jaune earns this trust? From how you make it sound he needs to go as far as saving her very life!"

"No need to go that far, Tin-Head!" Roman pointed his cane at Ironwood. "She only needs to get the message that he will be there for her, nothing more. I am certain she will try something during this, and when she does, our golden boy here has to be the one to bail her out!"

"Yes, but in what way?" Ozpin asked. "This is walking a thin line with the law from my perspective, and so far the favours needed to keep everything afloat have been no less than very generous." Looks like Jaune would get his chance to use the information Amber gave him sooner than expected. "I am afraid that if Emerald does break the law, then they will have to abide by the law."

"And what if something else happens?" Jaune asks, turning to Ozpin. "Look, I am not saying I will stand by and watch her kill some guy, but not that I will not help her either."

"Jaune, please understand, there is more to this than you imagine." Ozpin said, sounding worried. "The Council has been making pressure to persecute Salem and those that you are married to, and the only reason they are not sending an entire armed force is thanks to Beacon's jurisdiction, James' presence, and the overall fact this Academy is filled with Huntsmen-in-training who can fight back if I so say. They are fully aware that they cannot do any move here, but if you and Emerald go out? They will use the first excuse to have you brought to some secret safehouse and tortured for intel, something I cannot afford!"

"What if we distract The Council somehow?" Sun suggested. "I mean, not like they keep an eye on Beacon all the time, right?" He saw Ozpin fix his gaze on him, not giving any reaction. "Shit, they are watching?!"

Everyone started to talk between themselves at that, and Ironwood seemed quite outraged as well. "Quiet down everyone, they are not spying on us or anything!" Ozpin said, calming the chatter. "However, they are monitoring who comes in and who goes out. Luckily, this measure was implemented shortly after your date with Salem the other day, meaning that they have nothing so far."

"Things have just gotten more complicated." Jaune sighed. "However, I do think that Sun is right. A distraction is in order."

"And what could you suggest would be that distraction?" Ozpin inquired, to which Jaune leaned to his ear, whispering something in his ear. The Headmaster's eyes shot open, pushing Jaune away. "Absolutely not! I will not place my reputation in peril like that!"

"You'd rather have Salem go back to being evil?" Jaune retorted. "Besides, I don't think you have a choice, Professor Expresso." Ozpin tensed up at that, his hand starting to shake. "That's right, I know about THAT!"

"About what?" Roman asked curiously. "What else is he hiding?"

"Ozpin, what other secrets have you omitted?" Ironwood asked, to which Ozpin cleared his throat.

"You win, Jaune...I will do it."

"By the Brother Gods, whatever he has is good!" Roman said in astonishment. "I will need to inform Junior about it!"

"I am not selling, Roman!" Jaune added, getting his point across, then went back to Ozpin. "Now, listen carefully Professor, because we got one shot at this."

Three strong hits with a hammer echoed off the wooden surface of Glynda Goodwitch's desk, who joined this council to offer advice, opened up the Eve Council. Formed from the wives of the guys and Glynda they began. "Alright, ladies, the council is officially open! Let's go over the list, shall we? Last time we had a double-wammer with Yang here doing Jaune in the lockers of the gym!"

Yang blushed at the remark, but managed to compose herself. "Yeah, Lady Killer was nice and all." She said simply, trying not to mention the hot stuff that happened in the lockers. Wait a minute! "Wait, what do you mean by 'in the lockers of the gym'?! Who told you?!"

Nora looked at her a bit confused and blinked twice. "Well, you apparently, I was only joking." Yang, realizing she had given herself up, blushed and hid her face in her palms.

"Miss Arc Xiao Long, mind explaining what Miss Lie Valkyrie is saying?" Glynda asked, curiosity and a sense of duty taking hold.

"Oh, chill out, old hag." Melanie said, not choosing her words too wisely. "We are friends here, so why not drop the formalities?"

The steel gaze Glynda gave her was enough to tame the unruly girl, as she and her sister both sat straight up in their seats and faced forwards. Neo gave a silent laugh at how easily her sister-wives were defeated by Glynda. "I guess you are right…" The mentioned witch conceded. "In that case, Yang, can you explain what Nora means?"

"I, well, you see, it happened that-"

"You guys got down and dirty, have you not?" Blake said, reading Yang's face like a book. "As Melanie said, we are all friends here, and more, so no need to hide it, Yang. Besides, it is only fair since I blew him and got the first sober taste."

"Yeah, but-" Yang was a blushing mess, trying to find her words. "He...He took charge, ok?!" With that Blake's relaxed demeanor went out the window. Her whole body tensed and even her nails scratched the table she was leaning on. She wasn't the only one to react as surprise washed over the rest of the council.

"No way that is true!" Emerald argued. "I saw him, we all did! That guy is too much of a wimp to take charge, especially against a woman of your caliber! Unless you were not as hot and mighty as we thought you were?"

"Watch it, Em!" Yang warned. "I am still the wildest girl here! But when I was with him in the lockers, telling him he passed, I started to reward him a little with my breasts, but he pushed me on the floor, grabbed my breasts, and, and...It was like he was fucking my tits!"

"Yang, I am pretty certain that is exactly what that position is called." Cinder said, a slight blush on her face at the story, something shared by the others who were married to Jaune as well, as well as heat in another part of her body.

"You actually did something of the like, in the lockers?" Glynda asked, having a dangerous edge to her voice. "I guess it was unavoidable." She sighed, surprising Yang that she was not in trouble. "You are not the first to do stuff like that in there and certainly won't be the last."

"How vulgar!" Weiss offered her opinion. "How can you talk about such things so openly? And you, Miss Goodwitch, how are you allowing such things to go unpunished?"

"I think it goes without saying that without my help, this wouldn't have been possible, so in the end I do share some blame for this." Glynda said, pacifying Weiss. "And although I admit such a talk is vulgar, I cannot help but feel...intrigued by the story."

"Oh?" Salem mused, showing a smile. She got up from her seat, going towards Glynda who tensed up. "Intrigued you say? By what part?"

"A lady does not say." Glynda replied, playing one of the oldest cards in the deck to get out of the predicament. "But on a side note." Salem went back to her seat, a coy smile on her face. "I decided to offer my help to Jaune to help him develop more in his training. I would like to ask Pyrrha to join us, if that is ok with you."

"Of course!" Pyrrha replied. "Me and Jaune, we'd be thrilled to have you with us, Miss Goodwitch."

"Please, call me Glynda."

"Well, with that settled, let's move to the next appointment!" Nora said, raising her hammer in the air. "Em, it is your turn on the Arc pole!"

Emerald blushed at the light joke. "Do I really have to go out with him?! Like, come on! He and I have nothing in common!"

"Hmm. I wonder about that." Salem said, getting Emerald's attention.

"Yeah." Cinder said as well.

"Cinder? Mistress? What are you saying?" Emerald asked, confused by their words.

"Perhaps you are judging him too hastily, dear." Salem said, offering her more mature experience for the matter. "The Arc boy has proven fairly competent so far in satisfying all of us in one way or another, and so far we all had a wonderful time on our dates."

"Even if said dates had been ruined by crazy ex-boyfriends." Blake added.

"So you think that he might do some miraculous thing that will get me all hot and bothered for him?" Emerald asked, sceptical of their words. "Forgive me for saying this, Mistress, but I'd rather believe Lionheart has a spine."

Salem laughed at that line. "Oh, Emerald, you do not know what you are missing."

"Jaune is a great man." Pyrrha said, adding her own input. "Believe me, his kindness and selfless nature will make you fall for him-"

Emerald clicked her tongue. "As if those ever saved anyone." She replied dryly. "Here some news princess; I am from Vacuo! A country with a shit economy, no order, where orphans like me survive by not trusting anyone! Stuff like kindness and selflessness are more or less fairy tales where I grew up."

Most voices went silent hearing that, with Cinder and Salem being silent on purpose as they were already aware of this. But another voice spoke out. "But Jaune is different!" Ruby stood up. "Please, Emerald, just give him a chance! This isn't Vacuo anymore, this is Vale, and you have been given a chance for a new start."

"A chance?" Emerald echoed, looking at the younger girl with an unimpressed look. "I am sorry, but I am not sure you listened to my words. No trust! That means no chances either, and as far as I am concerned, he blew his only chance the night he FUCKED US while DRUNK!"

"Didn't we go over this?" Nora asked. "We were all stone-faced drunk, the guys included! Be thankful he didn't do it like Ash and nearly got you all pregnant!"

That seemed to shut Emerald up, but it was now Neo's turn to blush, and not in a nice way, but rather in an embarrassed way knowing she was the one who almost ended up pregnant. "Emerald." Cinder said, getting her attention. "I know Jaune might not be the most stunning stud in the fields - "

"I am willing to argue with that! He is hiding a lot under those baggy clothes" Yang added.

" - thank you, Yang." Cinder continued. "As I was saying, while he might not be perfect, think of what he has done for us so far; he has satisfied Salem well during their date, he let me take solace in him and arranged for me to become the new Fall Maiden, and even got Ironwood on a leash from what I hear."

"I…" Emerald tried to say, but Cinder beat her to it.

"One date, Emerald." Cinder held up a finger. "One date. You don't need to fuck, you don't need to kiss, you do not even need to hug! All I ask of you now is that you offer him a chance and get to know him and for him to know you - the REAL you, not the one I sent here undercover."

"I understand, Cinder." Emerald said, obeying her. "But if I suspect he is taking me to some comic book store, I will book it."

"Fine by me." Cinder replied, returning to her seat. "Is this meeting over?"

"Not yet!" Nora said, which confused the gals. "You see, I was approached by a certain someone who said some stuff that really had me going! Apparently, she and Jaune had spent some time together and she recently asked me if I could introduce her to his wives." She pointed with her hammer to the door. "Ladies, meet Amber!"

"Amber?!" The ones who knew of her gasped as the door opened and Amber, aided by a wheelchair, came inside the room. She wore the same clothing she had before being placed in the pod, albeit without the cloak and armor pieces.

"Umm. Hi?" She said, feeling nervous being under the eyes of the Arc Wives. "So, who are the ones married to the blonde?"

"What is it to you?" Pyrrha asked, rather suspiciously. "I know Jaune has spent some time with you, helping you recover the ability to walk, but why are you here?"

"Well, I managed to recently score a few good steps before I needed my wheelchair again, meaning that I could wander around on my own around Beacon." She answered, then she went to the other subject. "As for the other reason, well…" A blush crept over her face, trying to hide it, but failed. This was noticed by the girls as well, but it seemed that only Salem fully figured out what was going on.

"Oh my, quite the busy boy." Salem giggled softly, attracting everyone's attention. "It looks like the time spent together has left a mark on the heart of this young woman. She is smitten with him!"

"SHE IS PREGNANT?!" Ruby shrieked out, misunderstanding that.

"What?!" Amber shouted in return, scandalized. "No! No one has put a bun in my oven, you silly girl, she means that I am in love!" Amber then went quiet realizing what she admitted to being, but slowly the others put the pieces together.

"Unbelievable!" Weiss said, bringing her hands to her head. "You are telling me that you are in love with the blonde dolt?" Amber didn't say anything. "How could it have happened? Surely you knew he was married!"

No one called Weiss out on the fact she seemed more preoccupied with Amber's situation than her position in the marriage, which was new, but welcomed. But they admitted she had a point. Even if this relationship of theirs was not conventional, a woman shouldn't go after a married man, a fact which should have been obvious by the ring on his finger! He never took it off! The Arc wives and even the Auburn wives looked at her intensely, but Glynda Goodwitch broke the stalemate with a strike of her crop on the desk. "Everyone! Please, let her speak."

"Thank you, Glynda." Amber said, not noticing the slight narrowed eyes of the Headmistress of Beacon. "Well, it kinda started during the first days of therapy? I guess? We were just usually talking and whatnot, him telling me about what happened while I was out of commission and me telling him stories from my own time at Beacon. I guess I fell for his charm...and that big dick of his."

"Big di-excuse me?!" Weiss said, a reaction mostly mirrored by the others. "Are you saying you have already slept with him?!"

"NO!" Amber quickly said, protecting herself. "He is loyal, believe me! But last time he visited things got a bit out of hand while we talked, and to be short, I promised him two pieces of information in exchange for one look at his...junk."

"Hohoho! This is some juicy stuff, girl!" Nora said, enjoying the story. "I mean, I wouldn't like it if a random broad stared at my Rennie's treasures, but if she had a good enough explanation, then I might let her off the hook with a bruised eye." The fact she said that in such a cheerful manner was impressive.

"And what kind of information did you offer him that compelled him to follow through such a deal?" Cinder asked, half interested and half irked that this woman dared make a move on her man. HER MAN! Well, their man, but also hers.

"Ummm. I think that is a question better suited for him." She didn't want to say that she sold Glynda and Ozpin darkest secrets to Jaune just to see his junk. One, because one of the duo was right here, and two, she was still afraid of what the girls might do. She cannot outrun them in a wheelchair. "But yeah, the intel was good enough and I got to see it - briefly! Barely two seconds, I swear!"

"Well…" Salem started saying. "Since there was no sexual contact involved, and Jaune did come out with something, which I will find myself questioning him about later to ensure it was worth it, I think we can agree this cannot count itself as him cheating on us. All in agreement?"

Yang, Blake, Ruby, Pyrrha - slowly - , Emerald, and Cinder put their hands up, with only Weiss looking away. "The simple fact he was willing to flaunt his shame to another woman is enough for me, meaning he will need to earn his forgiveness!"

Salem sighed. "I think that is fair, all things considered. But now onto the main issue at hand; why are you here, confessing all of this to us."

"Well, as said, I have come to fancy him a bit and I was wondering if, you know...I could be given a chance to maybe...Ugh, how should I say it?"

"Join in his Harem?" Militia offered an answer.

"Yes! I mean, no! I mean yes! Ugh! You know what I mean!" Amber said, then she managed to calm herself. "I want a chance, that is all. I promise to follow any condition set by all of you!"

The girls all looked between each other, and even Nora seemed to think about that. However, it was clear that as the most experienced woman there, Salem called the main shots within the Arc Wives. If Amber was to have any type of chance, then she needed the ok of the former enemy of all life and humanity.

"I remember how, in my youth, my father used to spend time with his own wives." Salem said, trailing to one of her stories from when she was young. "Make no mistake, he still loved my mother and I, but also loved those wives and their children as well. We were all a family. Back then, a King could have multiple wives, but only one Queen to rule beside him. The women didn't all marry him at once either, some having years apart!"

"What is the point of your story, Salem?" Glynda asked.

"Well, I never abdicated, so Jaune is technically royalty." She said, and many of them felt a shiver run through them. "But the world has long since grown out of the old customs. A shame, but it is what it is. But my point? The girl before us should have all the chances to join us if she wishes."

"You cannot be serious?!" Pyrrha said, sounding against the idea. "She hasn't known Jaune for as long as any of us!"

"Excuse me, but did I know him before the night we got married?" Salem looked at Pyrrha, who seemed to back down a bit.

"Still! This is not the same situation, this will be a sober decision which can have more significant consequences!" Pyrrha pressed on, but Salem was not fazed.

"Actually, I think it is less of a hassle." Salem said, taking her by surprise. "You do remember the chaos when we woke, right? I doubt any of us want to wake up with that situation again, meaning that a sober decision is better! Besides, as she said, we can impose conditions."

Pyrrha sighed, recognising defeat in front of Salem and she sat down. But she was not about to go down without offering her last strike. "In that case, my condition is simple; no sex!" Everyone looked at Pyrrha. "As long as she is not married to Jaune, it would be cheating and unfair to all of us, meaning that she has to refrain from any sexual contact with him!"

"Ouch, that is harsh considering she knows how large his package is. Believe me, Pyr, he is packing major heat!" Yang said, offering her input. "But I agree with Pyr here, so that condition goes for me as well. Anyone else with other conditions they want to make clear?"

"For a matter of fact, yes." Cinder looked down at Amber. "You are still recovering Amber, meaning that your state of vulnerability will attract his pity. As such, my condition is simple; no manipulation. Do not use your state to earn his favour and do not cause him to ignore or neglect us."

"I understand." Amber said, thanking her lucky stars. Those conditions were easy enough, she could keep her pants on. "Any last ones?"

"Yes." She turned her attention to the youngest of the group, Ruby, who was fidgeting in her seat. "Well, eventually you will join us as his official wife, so my condition is that you are, ummm, if this is ok, be moved into the dorms." Now all eyes were on Ruby.

"Any reason for that, Ruby?" Salem asked, curious.

"Well, if she will become Jaune's wife as well, wouldn't it be a good idea if we get to know her?" Ruby reasoned. "As such, we can decide if we will allow her to also marry him and join us as a full member!"

"That is a very good suggestion, Ruby!" Salem said, pleased by the proposal. "We can all be judges of her character and decide if she will be a good wife to Jaune in the future. Everyone in favour? If not now is the time"

A few seconds of silence passed, with no more conditions being said, which meant the ones set so far were good enough. "Great! Just to be frank, no more conditions can be set after this to keep things fair, but I think we covered some good bases so far."

"Thank you." Amber felt grateful that she was given the chance, but Glynda looked somewhat displeased.

"Well, with that taken care of, I officially announce the Eve Council as dismissed!" Nora said, knocking the wood with her hammer. "Now, Emerald, get out there and get yourself some vitamin Arc!"

Well, the time was now. Jaune was at the Bullhead bay at Beacon, waiting for Emerald. It was nearly noon, a perfect time for a nice stroll through Vale. He was dressed in his casual clothing, waiting for Emerald to show up. The plan was set. Of course, it would've been better if he didn't need to have Ozpin distract the council for this date to fall through, but there was nothing he could do.

If the Council caught on to Cinder, Salem, and Emerald, then their only protection was to stay at Beacon, a subject they debated long and well, but eventually decided that the risk was worth it. Emerald was no easy girl, and refusing to take her out to town just because of some fancy suits would not suit her and make her think he was weak willed or something, which they couldn't have.

Currently, Emerald was the most unpredictable of them all. She was originally opposed to the marriage, only changing her mind thanks to Cinder, who had changed hers thanks to Salem. He had managed to mostly get Cinder on board of her own free will, but if he couldn't do the same with Emerald then everything might fall apart before him.

They passed the halfway point already, they had to see everything to the very end!

Checking his scroll again, Jaune looked at the time. It was going to cut it close, but he was certain Ozpin would pull through with his end of the bargain, but that end was closing in. Jaune offered them a precise time to start at, not a second later. He'd have to embark with Emerald on the Bullhead the moment the Council was distracted. But the real challenge was when they were in Vale, away from Beacon's protection. He had to make sure Emerald didn't attract any unwanted attention to herself less she risked ending up in jail.

Too much was riding on this. Way too much. "Hey." He snapped his head to the side, noticing Emerald standing there with a hand on her hip. "Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to show me to the city?"

He must have been spacing out. Shit. Already off to a bad start. "Sorry, I guess I was deep in thought. Can you wait for a bit, though?" It was not yet time. Five more seconds.

"What for? The Bullhead is right there!" She argued. But she didn't know that the Council's gaze was there as well.

"I will tell you on the way to Vale." He looked at the time again and smiled. "After you." He took her to the Bullhead, knowing that his plan was now in full swing. He hoped the guys knew what they were doing.

Ozpin really hoped Jaune knew what he was doing. It was not polite to ask a dying, old man, a councilman, and Headmaster of the most prestigious Huntsman academy on Remnant to do something like this. Those events went down a few minutes before Jaune met up with Emerald, but they were the longest minutes of Ozpin's current life.

"Is everything set, Sun?" Ozpin asked as the monkey Faunus was setting up the equipment, readying himself to be the DJ.

"Everything is ready, Big O!" Sun replied, setting the headgear on his head. "Are you sure they won't be able to see me?"

"You are out of visual range." Ozpin tugged at the sleeves of his old/new suit. On one hand, he was feeling thankful that he got to wear this again. Before him stood four other screens, waiting for the Council to answer and for the fun to begin. Ozpin sighed. "I cannot believe he knew about that...Amber told him, that big-mouthed girl."

"I am curious as to what Jaune told you, Sir." Sun said, readying the song. "What did he say exactly?"

"It is none of your business, Mister Wukong!" Ozpin said sternly. However, the screens began to flicker to live, indicating that the show was starting. "Sun, at my signal, kill it."

The monkey Faunus put up a cheeky smile as he turned on the equipment, turning it to high volume. Then, before Ozpin, the screens came to life, illuminating him in his current clothing. If anyone saw him now, which some were, they'd know what this was; Ozpin's wear from the golden days of his career at Beacon, back when he still went clubbing. A stylish silver suit that shined in the light combined with a pink undershirt and black tie, matching silver pants, black shoes, and a hat. A hat! Said hat was also silver in color, having a black bandana going around it and finally he had his cane with him. "Ozpin, what in the world is so important that you called an emergency meeting for-"

"Bring it!" Ozpin said and Sun began to kill the music, playing a popular remix.

"~Oh, baby don't hurt, don't hurt me, no more - WHAT IS LOVE?!~"

"Ozpin, what is the meaning of-"

But the Headmaster didn't listen to them, instead he began to dance the dance of his life like he was still in his younger days and moving to the beat of the music, using his cane as well together with his moves to add a bit of a gentleman's flair.

Sun was recording this, but he had to give it to Oz. He had moves.

With Ozpin distracting the council, and hopefully having Sun record everything, Jaune was calm as he and Emerald went down to Vale, the ride on the Bullhead being fairly quick and without incidents, largely thanks to the fact he had taken pills this time around. They arrived in Vale well and started to go down the street, looking for a place to maybe eat at. Emerald was no posh girl, but he knew a fast food joint wouldn't do it either.

She was wearing her ring as well, same as him, which he saw as a good sign. Well, not that she could take it off anyway. She stepped in front of him, taking a large breath of air. "Ah, the filthy air of the city. Kinda missed it." She said sarcastically. "Now, where are you going to take me?"

"Well, since the purpose of this date is more or less to get to know each other, how about a small cafe?" He suggested, trying to go for something simple. He had to play it safe. "I heard there is a good one not far from here with a good cake on the menu."

Emerald hummed at the proposal, but saw nothing wrong with it in the end. "Lead the way then." She said, not making much of an effort to look like a couple with him. She was walking a fair distance from him, not making physical contact or anything. If anyone watched, they wouldn't think they two were together, but simply a coincidence that two people with rings on their fingers were so close to each other.

Eventually, they arrived at the mentioned cafe and sat down, Emerald looking around the place for a bit. "This is the best you came up with?" She asked dryly, not being too impressed with the place. Well, it was the best legal thing Jaune could come up with. "It's pretty boring, considering the expected exciting life of a Huntsman-in-training." More sass and sarcasm left her mouth, just before the waiter came to them to ask for their orders.

"Anything I can bring the two of you?" He asked.

"Yes, can you bring me a coffee with two thirds milk and one third sugar please?" Emerald asked, being specific in her order. This had Jaune surprised a bit, but he decided to order a simple cappuccino for himself. Once again, he failed to fully predict what she might do, but luckily it was only a minor thing.

"So, Em…" He began, making sure to have her attention. "Look, I know you might not be thrilled about this, but we could at least talk?"

Emerald looked at him briefly, considering his words. She sighed. "Fine. What do you want to know?" She asked, not feeling particularly against the idea of just talking.

"Well, how about we each ask the other questions? I ask you something about yourself and you do the same?" He suggested, earning a nod from her. Might as well while they waited for their drinks. "Great." Moment of truth. "So, Emerald, care to tell me where you grew up?"

"Vacuo." She replied bluntly. "More specifically on the streets of Vacuo."

"I see." Looks like he started off well all things considered. "Your turn."

"Same question." She said, and Jaune understood what she meant.

"Ansel, a village over on Anima." He replied. "I grew up with my family there." The ring flared up a bit, indicating an emotional reaction and he could feel what. He touched a nerve, even if his answer was honest and he didn't mean it, he still touched a nerve. His mind raced a bit to piece it together, coming to the conclusion that their childhoods must have been polar opposites.

He had a loving family, she didn't.

"My turn…" He said, slowly, trying to make sure to pick his words wisely. "What is your favourite pastime?"

Emerald actually seemed to think for a bit on that one, but offered an answer shortly. "I don't have a favorite pastime, per se, except if you count pickpocketing as one."

"Duly noted."

"What about you?"

"Well, I know you might think of me as a nerd, but I like reading comics." And true enough, she didn't look impressed.

"Woah." Sarcasm, again. "So this is the hunk who punched the likes of Adam Taurus into next sunday?"

He flinched at that. "Well, I didn't know it was actually Adam...I thought it was Neo."

"Neo?!" Emerald actually laughed hearing that. "You mean to tell me you were going to punch the wife of Ash Auburn and the right hand woman of Roman Torchwick?"

"Of course not!" Jaune was quick to answer. "I just thought that, being as short as she was, my fist would just go through the illusion! I didn't know it would make actual contact with someone!"

"Yet, you still went ahead and delivered him a punch I am sure he is remembering even now as he sits in prison, planning his revenge." She said, making Jaune flinch yet again.

"Is it that bad?" He asked, to which she scoffed.

"Guy is a psycho." She said, plain and simple. "If he isn't going to bust out of prison to do it, I am certain he will when he does get out. What was his sentence again?"

"Pretty sure he got life." Jaune said, feeling a bit relieved that Adam Taurus couldn't actually come for his hide.

"Oh, in that case he is certainly going to try and bust out on his own." Emerald said, sounding strangely confident about that . It worried Jaune. "You did steal his girl and had him and his entire group thrown behind bars."

"Should I start sleeping with one eye open?"

"Don't know...Should you?"

Ok the conversation went into a direction he failed to see, but it seemed it was one neither enjoyed or disliked per se, meaning they were good. Also, their drinks arrived, and Emerald wasted no time tasting hers, offering a pleased humm in return. He also drank a bit of his, admitting that they had good coffee here.

"Anyway, we derailed a bit from your little game." Emerald pointed out. "Pretty sure it was your turn."

"Oh. Ummmm." He tried a bit for a question, something to really get to know Emerald Sustrai, the girl she was before that night. And he finally got it. "Tell me about your relationship with Cinder." He said, seeing her tense up. "How did the two of you meet and how come you seem to have such high respect for her?"

Emerald inhaled deeply, then exhaled. "You really want to know?"

"I mean, if it is ok with you to tell, of course." He replied, making sure she knew no one forced her.

"Fine." She agreed, "As I said, I grew up in Vacuo, my mother having ditched me, meaning I had no family to support me. As you probably guessed, I fell into a life of crime at a young age, but luckily my mother had the decency to offer me my Aura, which was the last gift I ever got from her. She unlocked it and vanished, never to be seen by me again. I still remember that day as I cried for her for what felt like hours. Then the reality settled in. I must have been around seven or eight at the time, as I can clearly recall my first hits."

Jaune listened closely, not daring to interrupt her. The ring was telling him nothing so far, which he didn't know if it was a good or bad thing. "I started small, stealing food and water to get by, survive. Of course, at some point, I got my Semblance as well, which only made me better at stealing."

"And your weapons?" He asked, feeling curious. He watched her smirk with mischief, almost proud of herself. Her weapons, as was Jaune's, were at Beacon. They didn't need them.

"I stole them off some Huntsman who was lying dead drunk in the streets." She answered, taking another sip of her coffee. "After that I just asked around where I could modify them, and found a place that only took cash and asked no questions. They did a good enough job, and they got me my girls."

"I see. So when did you meet Cinder?"

"I was around 16 when she found me after I stole from some guy in the street with my Semblance. She approached me and cornered me in an alleyway, offering me a place in her schemes and offering me something I never had before; someone to trust." She looked down at the cup in her hands as she said that. "Where I was from, trust was something rare, more so than anything else. But as I traveled with her, eventually recruiting Mercury, I came to look up to her more and more. She was everything I was not at the time; strong, smart, cunning, confident, beautiful - she looked and acted just how I wanted to be and everything about her was just so...Woah.:"

Ok, definitely sensing something more than simple admiration here, the ring had a soft glow to it, but Jaune let it go. No use digging up that can of worms. "And after that you guys went for Amber, then came to Vale, then Beacon, and the rest is history." Jaune said, finishing up with a self-inserted summary.

Emerald rolled her eyes. "I am pretty sure getting married was never in the plan." she said dryly, showing that she was still displeased with the whole ordeal. "I mean, we were just enemies not that long ago, yet everything seems to be getting thrown under the rug for some reason! I don't know what Ozpin and Salem have in mind, but honestly? I care little."

Now that was a pleasant surprise to him. "Little"

"As long as I get to stay close to Cinder, everything is fine for me." Emerald said. "Even if the plans are out the window now, as long as I can still be with her, I am willing to put up with it. Heck, I didn't try to kill you for taking my...you know."

Her maidenhood, yeah. "Well, if it helps, we do not know who it was that took mine." He said, trying to ease up everything. "Well, not that I remember." Yang said she was more sober that night, maybe she knows who he fucked first. Who his actual first was. Something to wonder about and ask about. "Anyway, what would you like to do after this?" He asked her, taking a sip of his coffee.

"Wait, you are leaving this date up to me?" Emerald asked, sounding a bit surprised.

"Well, for the most part, yeah." Jaune said, his cheeks a bit flushed. "Truth be told, I have no idea what to do to make the date entertaining enough for you, and even if plans were made, I doubt you'd really enjoy them in the end. You are unique."

Emerald blushed a bit hearing that, thinking of what he meant by unique. "What's the catch?" She asked swiftly, and she caught him red handed.

"Nothing illegal, that's it." He said, hoping it was enough to strike a deal. "We can go wherever you want, do whatever you want, but nothing illegal, alright?"

"Hmm." She thought about it for a bit. "Know what? Deal!" She drank the rest of her coffee. "Shall we?"

Jaune drank the rest of his coffee as well, then he left the Lien on the table for the waiter to pick up when he cleans their table. "Sure."

Emerald led Jaune away from the fancy restaurants of Vale, walking towards a place that, honestly? Jaune did not expect. They were in a market, a farmer's market to be exact, where the people tried to sell the yield of their farms and make a living. Why Emerald brought him here was beyond him. She went ahead, and he kept up, but eventually stopped when she took some time to look at the apples.

"You like apples?" Jaune asked, looking at the fruit. They were good apples, bright red and shiny.

"You can say that." She replied, picking one in her hand and looking it over. "Those apples come from a Mistralian race of apple trees. They are bigger, juicier, and sweeter than Valean apples, and cost overall twice as much as well."

"Come on now, how much is one kilogram of apples-"

"20 Lien"

"Are those apples made of gold or something?!" Jaune said, stunned at the high price of the apples before him. What the hell! He was from Anima, he ate such apples before, so why were they so expensive here in Vale?!

Emerald laughed a bit as she put the apple down. "No, but the cost of transport and demand for them in places like Vale, Vacuo and Atlas has allowed Mistral to really stretch the price for their apples."

"That's downright thievery!" Jaune whined further, still trying to grasp how apples cost so much. "Can't they just plant more trees to lower the price?"

"And risk ruining their economy?" Emerald asked, to which Jaune realized she was right. Mistral was likely making a lot of money off this trade, so lowering the price could really hit the economy pretty badly. "Besides, this makes it all the more satisfying." She said as they began to walk away from the stall, arriving in the larger crowd.

"Satisfying?"

"When you steal one." She said, pulling one from her pocket. Jaune panicked thinking she just stole an apple from the stand, which while it may not seem like something major, was still illegal and they were running a thin line already! But then she laughed, attracting his attention. "Your face makes it worth it." She clenched her hand and the apple vanished before Jaune's eyes. "I used my Semblance, nothing more."

"You nearly gave me a heart attack." Jaune admitted, then watched Emerald shrug and turn to continue walking.

"Better keep your attention on my hands, Arc. Oh, wait, that doesn't work either." She said cheekily, still leading him through the market. However, the both of them were unaware that someone saw them earlier at the apple stand and was now following them.

A cop, one of the people working for the Council. Even if Ozpin was distracting them, there was no one that could actually distract the cops! Well, maybe if Roman Torchwick pulled a stunt in broad daylight, but Roman was nowhere near. It was only Jaune and Emerald, surprisingly, as Jaune thought it'd be best if the boys stayed behind this time to make Emerald feel better.

She was more aware of her surroundings than Cinder and Salem were, even more so than the other girls. She was vigilant, always on guard. But now this was coming back to bite Jaune in the ass. The cop had an order to arrest Emerald, along with two other women whom he had the pictures of but didn't see them. Regardless, the cop decided it would be easier to arrest one of them.

But first, he waited for Jaune to go away. This boyfriend element could end up complicating things. He didn't know who the boy with Emerald was, only having targeted her. Emerald and Jaune stopped at a fountain and Jaune decided to do something nice for Emerald and told her to wait for him there as he went back into the market. Emerald agreed and seeing his moment the cop acted.

"Excuse me, miss?" He said, approaching Emerald who went on her guard. "Mind if I ask you some questions?"

"I mean, sure?" Emerald replied with caution. This cop didn't give her a good gut feeling.

"Not here." He then pulled out his handcuffs. "But down at the station." At that moment Emerald tried to make a run for it and even use her Semblance, but the cop was not fazed by it and grabbed her wrist, preparing to put the bracelet on her. "STOP RESISTING!" The scene got a lot of attention, but it was about to get even more.

"Hey, dickwad!" The cop heard a shout behind him, but as he turned around he was met with a hard punch that got him square in the nose, sending him on the ground. Jaune had returned in time, a bag in his left and his right coiled into a fist. He quickly went to Emerald. "Come on!" He told her and the two of them began running as the cop slowly got up, trying to give chase.

Unaware to all of them, a fourth person recorded it all. "Nicholas and Juliet won't believe it…"

Emerald and Jaune both panted as they arrived at Junior's club, having been shown to a private booth and now resting. Junior managed to make the cops leave and offered them a room to stay in for the duration of the evening, saying he will notify Ozpin as well. Looks like they were now spending a night in the city. Not exactly according to plan.

"That...was intense." Jaune said, sitting down on a chair as Emerald took the bed, looking somewhat shaken more than he was which he found strange. He expected her to have more experience with stuff like this. "Are you ok?"

"My Semblance was working on him, yet he was able to see past it." Emerald said, looking down at her hands. "How?"

Jaune sighed. "When I punched him, I saw a weak Aura, so it is likely he was using a Semblance. I don't know, maybe something that suppressed yours?"

"No, I was using it, I know I was!" Emerald said, defending herself. "It was likely something that allowed him to see through my illusions or something."

"I see…" He looked down at the bag in his hand, realizing he has been carrying it around for a bit now. "Hey, Em?"

"What is it-" She was cut off as Jaune threw her an apple, which she caught. "Mistralian Apples?"

"They were expensive, so let's enjoy them." Jaune said, taking a bit out of his own apple. Damn, those things really are sweet and juicy! He never ate those back at home! But then again, his father always loved Valean apples more, so maybe that is why? However, as Jaune enjoyed his apple, he didn't see Emerald looking down at hers with a strained expression.

"Why?" She asked.

"Huh?"

"Why did you do it?" She asked, looking at him.

"Do what?"

"Don't play dumb! You punched a cop, Jaune! Do you know how much trouble you can get into because of that?! Not to mention you also prevented an arrest, caused a scene - you broke several laws just by saving me! Why did you have to save me?!" Emerald asked him, her emotions being all over the place, and he could feel it thanks to the ring.

"Because I had to!" He replied, sternly. "You deserved a second chance, Emerald, and that cop had nothing on you that wasn't forged from the Council!"

"Bullshit!" She shouted. "I am sure that if they look, there is some warrant there Ozpin missed!"

"Ok, what is your deal now? You sound like you WANTED to be caught!" Jaune pointed out.

"I didn't!" She replied, trying to argue her point across. "It's just that...You...UGH!" She collapsed on the bed out of frustration, the apple next to her. "No one would have done that for me back in Vacuo." She said, this time in a more calmer voice. Jaune heard her and went closer, sitting on the bed next to her. "Everyone else would have just ran away to save their own skin. Even now, at the fountain, everyone else just watched. Only you took action." She turned to him.

Jaune chuckled a bit. "Well, I guess a man goes to great lengths for his wife?" Emerald flicked him on the forehead.

"Don't bullshit me." She said while blushing. "Look, I am still unsure about this whole marriage thing, but...I think I am willing to give it a chance now. Not because Cinder is in this, but because I want to. So, will you have me?" Jaune pulled her in his arms, hugging her close. Her eyes went wide at the sudden action, but she didn't fight him. It felt nice. It felt warm. She felt safer here, more so than in her entire life on the streets. Is this what she had been missing out on?

"Sure, Em." He said, maintaining the hug. He then felt her poke his shoulder a bit, and so he looked down, only for Emerald to lunge forth and kiss him, making a blush appear on them both. "Emerald, I-"

"Shush!" She said, sternly. "Don't talk, don't ruin it. Just stay quiet and...And hold me close. Please."

Jaune smiled and did as she asked. "Sure, dear." He said, not realizing how much Emerald's blush grew and the two went to sleep.

But back on Anima, in a certain large wooden house, a woman with long black hair was just finishing washing the dishes as she received a message from an old family friend with a video attached. She watched it curiously, but when she did, her eyes went wide and gasped. Slowly, she put the scroll away, then she inhaled deeply.

"NICHOLAS! FAMILY EMERGENCY! WE MUST GO TO BEACON!"

And so, the Arc Family was going to have a reunion.

Another chapter down, guys! Hope you guys like it and do let us know whatcha all things, especially if the differences made by Handy are good.

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