Ok ok ok. What is up you guys! It is I, your host for the evening...or morning...or day...or whatever your time zone is. So what all can I say at the moment before we get into what you all have been waiting to see. Not a whole lot. Most of it can wait until the end.
Soooooo, recap!
In the last chapter it was time for John to kick ass, take names, and send supremacists screaming back to hell. We get a quick shot of Raven and Qrow reconciling before the assault and even making peace with Tai's folks. Gallen brought the rest of his forces into one location and set traps. Then John drops from a pelican right into the foyer of Gallens base kill the dipshits there before Marria's walkers and tanks bust through the wall. Fighting ensues with some POV changes between Raven and John and Summer. The long awaited rematch between John and Gallen. John kicking Gallens ass and wrapping a cable around his neck before yeeting his ass out the window killing him. John finding Summer just as she OD'd and the race against the clock to a hospital. Visits all around as Summer is placed in a medically induced coma to help heal and mend and while she is, we get to see out woman go through some flashbacks to her childhood all the way up to her abduction.
She wakes up and gets brought up to speed before coming home...or well to Johns place. She recovers mostly and winds up catching some Grimm Ticks that drive her to depression and almost tries to hang herself… That got dark real quick. But was saved thanks to John. She gets some help, comes home and has breakfast with our supper soldier badass.
Did I miss anything? I am pretty sure I did but this is a recap.
Not let's get to the show!
Summer looked outside to see the cloudy day. The weather was overcast with a high chance of rain. Just like her mind. Her head was clouded with thoughts about what to do. She became a sub for Signal academy to get her feet wet into teaching. She hoped to be the replacement for Tai. She had sat in on his classes before so she knew what all he did. But that was not what was running through her head. No. Her thoughts were stuck on one man. One man that had her attention. One man that would not leave her thoughts. One man that found a way into her heart. A heart that she was sure would not let another person in. Yet here she was with her heart wanting to let one man in and try again.
Flashback
Summer just got done making her own set of Spartan armor. It was a copper color and had so many different scopes that it wasn't even funny. She would take Ruby out costume shopping but Amethyst's gift last year still fit her...somewhat. Amethyst was making her another one with a few more for the other girls.
Ruby's new armor still had that walking tank look but also had a sleekness to it. She said it was an updated version of his armor. So in other words, John's modded Mark-VI armor seen in Halo 4. Blake had a black and purple set of armor modeled in a Samaria look. And Yang had a bit of a mixture of armor pieces. Her shoulder armor was lower put leaving her shoulder having a full range of motion., her chest had more beef to it with a combat knife. As for the helmet, it had a narrow faceplate that only covers the eyes with the rest of the helmet coming forward slightly. Amethyst said that she dubbed it the ' Rogue' helmet.
Not sure why but ok.
Summer sat back and looked at all the pieces of the armor she had. As stated above, she had copper-colored armor with scopes. Amethyst said that she would be the Chief's sniper and that even though they may have some details wrong, they would be honoring them with it. Summer asked how she knew he had a sniper to which she responded " It is hard to believe that he would be the only one. I am sure he had a team. And a sniper would be one of them. As for me, I am going as a scout."
And she did have the armor for one. It followed the body with no harsh angles and allowed her full use of her limbs as well as a helmet that had a bubble faceplate. In other words, Summer was cosplaying as Linda-058 and Cortana were Kelly-087. NornFang and OthSworn included.
Summer called it and went upstairs to get supper going. She caught sight of the girls outside sparring with each other with Ruby mimicking John as he walked her through everything.
She smiled at the memory of John doing the same thing to her.
She let out a breath as she dug out what she was going to make.
As she was cutting and mixing things up, her thoughts went back to John.
' You know I haven't seen him do anything that is for fun or relaxing. He doesn't go out much either. Does he have any other friends? A girl-friend even? He would make a great other for someone.' she thought as she tuned the radio. ' I mean, he has what any woman would want in a man. He is strong and brave. Very considerate and is not rude at all and so handsome to boot.' she shook her head and cleared her thoughts hoping to get him out of her head.
She heard the door open and saw Yang walking in with a box. She had tears running down her cheeks. She walked up to Summer with the box and opened it to reveal Dragon Fang. Tai's weapons. They were faded and scratched to hell with dents and even some parts of the metal melted and fused. John had shown it to her with the intent of Yang receiving them either when she was of age or when she went to a combat school. It seems that Yang had chosen to attend a combat school.
If she gets the job at Signal, she would be teaching her daughter about technique and weapon training.
' Here is to hope.' she thought as she embraced Yang. " Your father would be proud of you."
Yang looked up at her with a smile before she took the box up to her room.
That night, she looked over her application for Tai's position. The school board liked her and found that she still did have the knack for taking over when he requested to go out on assignment. So she had a reputation their so they knew that she could handle herself with whatever the kids may cause.
" Need any help? I can look it over for you if you want?" came the voice of Amethyst as she looked over her shoulder.
Summer looked up to Amethyst reading the app over.
" I could use a fresh set of eyes on it." Summer told her as she handed the page over to her as she stood up and stretched.
Summer went to the cabinet and grabbed a glass before filling it with water. She drank it before she saw Amethyst nod in approval.
" You want me to take you to signal in the morning and hand it in?" she asked her.
" That would be great Amethyst. If it would not be too much of a problem." Summer said.
" It's no problem. Hell if you want, we can even stop and get breakfast afterward." Amethyst replied.
And that is where Summer is found nearly twelve hours later. At a dinner with a steaming cup of coffee and a cool glass of OJ with a plate of eggs, hash browns, bacon, and toast. Amethyst, on the other hand, had an omelet with cheese, ham, onions and bell peppers. Each was enjoying their breakfast hand engaging in small talk. With Amethyst seeming to enjoy each bite a bit too much.
" Jeez Ammy, you look like you never ate a simple omelet before. Are you ok?" Summer asked her.
Amethyst swallowed her food before answering, " You would have the same reaction in you were stuck in a lab with only military cooking and cup-o-noodles to feed on. A simple fast-food burger and fries would be a rare treat. And a restaurant like this," she said waving her hand around, " is heaven."
Summer gave an 'oh' before diving back into her food. It was only a couple of bites later that she asked a question that has been on her mind.
" Hey Amethyst, I have been wondering. Does John have a hobby? I only ask because aside from training the girls, I don't see him go out all that much. I assume that if he had a girlfriend, she must be patient." Summer asked as she took a sip of her OJ.
Amethyst had a downcast look. " Summer. The reason John does not go out all that much is that he doesn't have a hobby nor does he have a lady to be within any form of a relationship aside from those he saw as sisters." Amethyst replied with a solemn voice.
With that they ate in relative silence.
So here she sat. In her room with the knowledge that John has never been in a relationship and that the mission he was sent on, robbed a bit of him each time he made it back. She may have never known that people were plotting to over through the four kingdoms and then wipe out Menagerie, but Amethyst has said that he was a counter-insurgency specialist. Grimm was more or less a cakewalk, although he and his team were sent in to clear more tricky targets.
He pretty much became a living weapon. A machine. If it weren't for Amethyst pleading with him and begging his commanders to release him, he might still be doing it. In a way, he still was serving by joining up with Ozpin, but he still doesn't show emotion all that much. And when he does it is slight. Blink and you will miss it.
She took in a breath and let it out with a huff as her thoughts went to a different time.
FlashBack
She had just gotten home from Signal. She had to both fill in and do her interview. A bit of a pain in the ass to do her job and get hired all at the same time. But the school board understood and waited even sitting in on her lessons to help them make up their minds.
They were impressed. They asked about her education at Beacon, her skills and what all she has done for missions for the headmaster and whether or not she would take on missions again. One even asked if she still had her weapon and if she would use her time in captivity to help teach.
That last one was a bit of a sting. The board member apologized for bringing up a sensitive subject but did say that if she can pass any knowledge down she should. He did make a point. If the students were ever put in a situation like hers, having first-hand knowledge would help. But they were just kids. Kids not ready for that kind of lesson.
She sat at the table with a smile. She got the job. Sure the students were teenagers that were probably going through puberty. And as such would be a bit rowdy. Luckily for her, she can become scary when she needs to be, thanks for the few times she needed to lay down the law at home. Comes with being a mom and a wife.
She got up and grabbed a glass of water as she heard the door open. John came walking in with a briefcase of which he set on the table before he turned around to grab a pencil from a drawer when his eyes landed on her.
" Summer! I was not expecting you home so soon." he said with a bit of surprise in his voice.
" Yea, I just got home not even five minutes ago. Amethyst went downstairs to do something. Haven't heard from her since." She replied.
John nodded before she asked what he had.
" Ozpin has asked for me to do a job. Wants me to go on a search and rescue mission and if possible, recon." he said as he went to look over a map of the area.
For some reason, that hurt a little bit. " Are you going to be gone long?" she asked him.
" No more than a couple of weeks at most. It all depends on what I find." he told her as he kept looking at the map.
Two weeks? He was going to be gone for at most two weeks? She thought she would feel good about having a girl's house for a couple of weeks, but she found herself going to miss his presence. His strong, dominating and protective presence was a comfort to her.
" When do you head out?" She asked, hoping that he wouldn't have to leave till tomorrow night.
" I will be heading out tomorrow after the girls head to bed." he told her. He then turned to her and she saw the slightest of smirks on his lips, " Don't paint the house pink and completely womanize the house will yea?" he asked with the ever so tiniest hint of a tease in it.
Her eyes widened at what he said. ' did he just make a joke?' " Did- did you just make a joke?" she asked.
He simply looked up at her and had a simple smile. She couldn't help but let out a giggle of amusement. " I see that your sister's attitude has been rubbing off on you." She said with a smirk in her voice. They both laughed before he went back to studying the map.
Those two weeks started ok. But it wasn't long till she had a nightmare began. And by the end of it, she was a nervous wreck. Sure she slept with her girls and even had her sister stay with her, it was not as much of a help compared to John.
That is not to say that she didn't have some good girl time. She was up late on some nights watching movies with Amethyst while the girls were either at school or at a friend's house. Sitting in nothing but a long shirt that went down to their mid-thigh, acting as a dress. She and the girls did manicures and their hair. And while it was not completely womanizing the house, they did make it a bit more female-friendly.
June and Amethyst even took her out shopping. While she did have normal clothing to wear, she had nothing nice to wear on special occasions. Fancy dinner, dates, interviews and alike. When she had her job interview, Amethyst loaned her a white blouse, black skirt, nylons, and heels.
Now it was time to have some of her own. She got dress pants and shirts, skirts and dresses, shoes of different function and style. They even got different sets of underwear. Underwear that was more comfortable and had a different feel to them. Silk, satin, and other material. They had her try on each style and material to see what she liked more. She had a fully restocked wardrobe. She regained all that she had lost. From casual to fancy parties.
But that was way back during the fall and winter. It was spring now. A full year since her rescue. And a full year to think about her situation and figure out how she wants to live her newfound lease on life. She has been wrestling with her thoughts for weeks now.
Each time she sees John with another female, she feels a pang of jealousy in her heart. Why? Why is she jealous of such a thing. Sure John has had female staff over to go over plans of expansion, and Raven has been over a few times to see Yang and her, as well as Glynda, swinging by to see her friend. But those were more like family gatherings. When he had a female employee came over to chat, she could not help but feel like that woman was going to steal him away from her. The same could be said for if John brought a wounded huntress or hiker that got lost in to patch up. Sure some were straight-up thank-yous and then gone, but some offered to pay him for the help. With a good few of those even pulling down their shirt just enough for him to take a peek. Whether or not he did she didn't know but she was pretty sure that a lot of flirting and advances went over his head.
But the fact that they would do such a thing gauled her. John would not just give himself to any woman that flashed him her goods. He was not that kind of a guy. Part of that came from his military upbringing, but she believed that most of it came from who he is. His charter. He was never rude to her nor did he say or act in a perverted or crude way.
Flashback
' HOW COULD THAT WOMAN DO SUCH A THING?' Summer thought as the most recent wounded Huntress finally left. God was she a bother. A slut is more what she would call her. From the moment John brought her in from a mission gone bad. Her wounds were well within his area of expertise. She watched and even lent a hand in cleaning and stitching her up.
The bitch must have had her libido on overdrive or something because she tried and tried to get John to do more on her. More specifically, to stick his thing into her thing. So many advances were thrown at him and they all, thankfully, went over his head.
Within the confines of her mind, she was screaming at the woman to leave, John wanted nothing to do with her.
Sure the more she talked and took time to get to know him better, the more she played with the idea of getting together with him. And just as often she had to shake her head to clear her thoughts. She was able to get glimpses and peeks of who John is under his training and ruggedness. He had a heart that had enough room for anyone and everyone that found their way in. Ruby, Yang, and Blake. Hell, she might even have a spot in it.
But this creep? She has no spot and is just in it for the lust. She just wanted to bag him. She made her sick. John is not someone that looks for one-night stands and alike. Sure the bitch had a good looking body that would be hard to resist to anyone of the male population. But John just did not go that shallow. He went deeper than looks.
Thankfully she was now gone. Five out of eight so far. Five out of the eight women so far have tried to seduce him, and each one failed.
She got off of her bed and went to the bathroom. It was still morning and she had yet to relieve herself. When she was done she went back to her room and sat on her bed. The feelings in her heart only grew stronger.
' But how can I fall for a man that hid such a secret?' this question she asked herself ever since she found out the truth about her host.
John. A man that has been taking care of her daughters. A man that she trusted with taking care of her as well, was the same man that saved her from hell. The Spartan.
Flashback
Of all the things that women could get her, did Amethyst have to get her a photo of John without a shirt on? That woman was something else sometimes. Why would she do such a thing? Sure she snuck a peek at John when she thought she could get away with it. She got caught. Great. Just Great. She is not going to be able to live it down. Just fucking great.
She turned on her heel and went downstairs. She needed to take her mind off of the photo. That and to get her racing heart and blush under control.
Leaving the stairwell into the living room, she took the path forward into the kitchen to the basement. She spotted what she was looking for. Her workbench with Full Bloom. She still needed to get the special parts that she wanted. But she could still do some cleaning on it.
It was not even five minutes later that she gave up. She wanted to wait until she got those parts. She needed the man in grey's hand cannon and cleaver. She was going to put flutes into the blade of her scythe. The blade would be able to let poison seep into her target as it cleaved into its flesh. She was going to take the cylinder and a few other things from the hand cannon and add it to her own. If things went to plan, then the aether that leaked from the canon should coat the already poisoned rounds in even more poison. Overkill? Maybe.
She got up and started walking around. She walked around the basement running her hand along the wall. Within her mind, she was picturing all sorts of forts and indoor camping experiences that she and her daughters could have. Or using the wall as a screen and play a movie down here. Get some popcorn and soda and other candy to chow on as the action played out on the wall. Sure this would need to be cleared by John but she was sure he would not mind at all. He might even encourage it and join in.
She walked up to the wall and then placed her back up against. So many possibilities she can do down here with the family. She pushed off of the wall a minute or two later and heard something move behind her. She looked back and saw a panel open up.' What is this?' she asked as she looked at it. It looked like a pad for a hidden door or something.
' Why would John have a hidden door? I doubt it would lead to a pleasure room like some cliche movie that the woman walks into and sees all sorts of kinky stuff.' she thought as she continued to examine the pad. A question popped up on the screen. ' My best friend's name?' She furrowed her eyebrow in thought when a part of a conversation she heard between John and the girls. They were asking him about his upbringing and training. He talked about a certain friend of his. Samual. She punched it in and was surprised to see the wall split and open.
' Oh. Uhhh, does John have some sort of bondage kink? Is Amethyst part of it?' she asked as she started to move in.
' How much do you want to bet I am going to walk in on them with one of his employees getting whipped or something.' she thought as she walked into a briefing room.
' Well, the woman in question would need to know what she is getting into and to sign a contract. And why am I thinking of such things? I am not into any kind of kinky stuff. Hmm. Could be part of the captivity is still within and is the one speaking.' she mused.
Her eyes landed on a document on the table. They were plans. She looked and saw a bunch of numbers and words that made no sense. The only thing she could make out was a name. Forward Unto Dawn. It looked like a ship of some kind.
' Ok, maybe not a sex dungeon after all. Whew. Silly me. Thinking John would be into all that kinky stuff. Yea, sure. If he is then I owe myself a good shot of the strongest drink on the planet.' she thought walking to another hallway.
It was dark and did not light up. She fumbled for the light switch and when she flipped it on, her world was blown. Shotguns. Pistols. Rifles. Knives. Sub-machine guns. Grenades. Medkits. All sorts of weapons lined the walls. But her inner weapons geek was not triggering. Her attention was on the back wall. A tall green suit of armor. Not just any armor. The Spartan's armor. The same gash in the right part of the chest plate. Same helmet.
Her breathing hitched as she brought a hand to her mouth. It all began to click into place.
' John is the Spartan?' she asked
When she and Tai first met the Chief, he knew exactly where they lived. And when they took John out for testing, he fought in a way similar to the Chief. Not just similar, but almost the same fighting style. And then there was the rank.
So lost in thought that she did not hear someone walk up behind her. She was suddenly spun around and was met with Amethyst. But her face held none of the spunk or cheer. Instead, it was stern and held a sense of seriousness.
" You will speak none of what you just saw. Do I make myself absolutely clear?" she asked her. Even her voice held a sense no bullshitting.
She then led her back out of the basement and shut the door. That is when she wheeled on her with a finger in her face.
" I have no idea how you got past the security. And we will be talking about this when John gets home. Until then, give me your scroll." Amethyst ordered.
Summer fished in her pockets and took it out before Amethyst took and pocketed it. She was then told to stay in her room until she was called. And that is where she sat for a good hour and a half before she was summoned. With each step she took to the stairs and steps, it felt like she was going to meet her execution. Her mind was still reeling. John was the Spartan. That was the only thing going through her head. How? How is he the Spartan? It would make sense in the way of the fighting. She could easily see Atlas making a powered suit to clear out dangerous Grimm and going into caves and other nests. So why? Why is he the Spartan and why does he still have the armor? Unless he went rogue, he would need to hand over all the tools when he shipped out.
She entered the kitchen with both John and Amethyst. They both looked at her for a second before John let out a breath before motioning to the door downstairs.
' I am so dead. They are going to kill me in that room. How and why did I see them as good people.' she thought with tears running down her cheeks. John seemed to notice that she was freaking out. He stopped at his bench and grabbed a clean rag and handed it to her.
" Relax." was all he said.
Relax? RELAX? HOW IS SHE SUPPOSED TO RELAX WHEN SHE WAS GOING TO DIE!
She sniffled before asking such a question.
" How am I supposed to relax when you are just going to kill me." She asked.
That stopped the two. Both looked at each other before back at her.
" We weren't going to. We are going to talk yes. But we are not going to kill you." John said.
" What gave you that idea?" Amethyst asked.
Summer looked at the two wondering if she was wrong or going crazy.
" I just found out a secret that I am sure you do not want to get out. In all the crime and action movies, the one that finds a secret this big normal is sent to death." She squeaked out.
The silence was broken by Amethyst starting to chuckle before she wrapped an arm around her telling her not to worry and to lay off the movie plots.
She was escorted to the big room and was told to sit as the doors closed and lights came on.
" It should go without saying, but everything you have seen and are about to hear does not leave this room. Are we clear?" John asked her.
Summer nodded.
John let out a sigh, " -sigh- Summer. I need you to understand the gravity of the situation you find yourself in. What you stumbled in on, is a paradigm change. It will change the way you see myself, Cortana, and the universe." he paused to let it sink in, " So with that said, you are swearing, on the lives of your children, that you will not talk about any of this without our permission. If you do break this oath, I will be forced to kill Ruby and Yang before I kill you. Do you understand this?"
Summer sat there stunned. The lives of her daughters were in the balance? " It's that serious? That you have to hold the lives of my children hostage to keep me quiet?" She asked with hurt and spite.
" It is that serious. Even Tai hesitated before committing." John said to her.
Tai? He knew? And he didn't tell her? She should be mad at him, but it wasn't Tai she should be angry at. No. It was the two people in front of her. She had heard of such ultimatum and each time she thought that it was just to heighten tension.
She leveled a shocked look at the two. " Tai was apart of this?"
John nodded.
They let that sink in before going into what she saw.
That was only a couple of months ago. She has had time to digest it. And within it all, she had a few things that happened. She was going to move out with Yang and Ruby. Get a small apartment and just be them. No need to be with people that held such secrets and put her children under the pressure of death.
But the more she sat and looked and thought about it all, the more she worked around the AI android and supper soldier, the more she found them not being cold or full of malice. Quite the opposite. They not only accepted her into the ranks of them but also made sure she was ok with the info dump.
She learned a lot of things that day. They were from space in a different galaxy as well as fighting in a war for the right to exist to be the main mind catcher. She asked how he became what he is and was met with a ' classified.'
They were right. This was a paradigm shift for her. She knew that if this got out, it would cause panic or hysteria.
She wanted to hate them. So badly did she want to hate and resent them. And why shouldn't she? They roped her late husband into their ranks as well as her sister on top of her children. It was only a day later that she started to look for a place to move into. Away from the lies and the secrets. A place far from that house. Just her and her babies.
But the feeling in her heart only grew as she watched John and Amethyst, or should she start calling her Cortana, with the three girls. They did truly love them like they were their own and were even kind of hurt that she was wanting to move out and live on her own. Cortana she could see that from. Hell, even Ruby and Yang started to call John daddy. She didn't want to take that away from someone who has had such small amounts of joy throughout his life. She also didn't want to take the two away from someone they were starting to see as a father.
And John? Well, she could tell that hurt him. Almost like he was losing a teammate. For a man that doesn't show much emotion, it actually did hurt.
And this is her conundrum. She was falling for the man, but at the same time, she didn't want to forget Tai. It felt like she was passing him by. Like she was going to be going behind his back. And that is the last thing she would want. Cortana was home so if she needed to she can talk to her and see if she could help her figure everything out.
Her heart yearned to be in a relationship again. John has been a good man to her. Holding her when needed and making her feel safe. And over the months, the two have had some time together to just talk and make memories. He was a man of few words, so idle small talk wasn't up his alley. Although she was assured that if he sees you as a teammate he will talk to you more. That and a lot of his communication is nonverbal. Hand signals and alike.
But was she wanting to be part of his team? To be even more than just friends? Did she want to be part of his world? Because if she did, she would get the full story behind him. A story that she may not want to get the full story of if the classification was anything to go bye.
So many questions were eating at her and her heat was not helping. Her heart was pushing her towards John, but her mind was telling her to take things slow and think everything through. Is John like her captors and hold her against her will and do whatever, or would he not even touch her, even with her permission.
She doubted that he would call her demeaning names or yelling at her for spacing out. Hell, he only called her by name, not even coming up with a pet name or a nickname for her. It could be his way of giving her the respect that she was denied. He was giving her back a sense of dignity that she lost.
She groaned as she rolled onto her feet. Maybe she should talk to Cortana and see if she has any answers for her. But first she needed to get a couple of things done. Mainly getting her teeth brushed. She did just recently get up after all.
" Hey, Cortana can I ask you something?" Summer asked coming down from her room. Nightgown loosely tied around her waist.
" You just did." She replied with a smile as she turned to look at her.
" Oh haha, very funny Cortana." Summer shot back with an amused look as she took a seat across from her," But seriously can we talk?"
" Of course what is it?" Cortana asked looking at her.
" What can you tell me about John? I know he is a good guy, but what is he like?" Summer said.
" Well, what do you want to know? I could tell you a great many things about him. But what is it you are looking for?" Cortana asked her.
" I want to know if I can trust him. Can I fully trust both him and you with my children and myself? But mostly can I trust him to not shatter my still-fragile heart." Summer asked the android.
Cortana looked at her with a raised eyebrow, " Are you telling me that you are falling for MY Spartan? And that you are wanting to confess your feelings to him?" Cortana asked her. Her eyes seeming to light up with the prospect of her doing so.
" I may have had feelings growing within me for the past couple of months, yes." she replied.
" OHHHHH!" Cortana squealed in delight, " This is perfect! I can totally see you two being great to one another! Just know that if you hurt him in any way, I will hurt you back."
" Cortana, right now I am just wanting to know if I can trust John enough to place my heart in his hands." Summer asked her not really wanting to be threatened for asking a question. Sure she is excited that John is finally going to have a taste of something he was denied,
The android took a breath to calm herself, " Sorry. Its just that knowing that someone is wanting to try and build something with him is amazing. Sure I could have been that gal but I am unable to do the one thing a biological woman can or could give him." she rambled on before catching herself, " Sorry again. Look, you asked if you can trust John with anything and everything. You can trust him with your safety and the girl's safety. That should be evident with what happened shortly before your mishap." Cortana said to her.
Oh yes. That. So sleep deprived and messed up that she gave in to her cravings for a high. She told the dealer she had no money but she could pay with her body. She gave him a time and address. The place was John's with a time set that the house would be empty. What she did not know was that while the girls would be at her sister's, John and Amethyst would be downstairs planning what to do next for the Dawn.
When the dealer showed up, she hurried him in and asked if he brought the drugs. He proceeded to draw a brick. She asked to prove it as he took a knife out and punctured the package. The white powder was shown on the blade as he offered it to her to try. The craving seemed to subside when she took that little bit. Enough for her to think clearly. Enough to make her think of what she was doing. She tried to tell the guy that she was backing out. That didn't sit well with him as he forced her to a wall and started to feel her up. Said that he was not leaving without his payment and to think of it as a consultant fee.
He then slapped her earning a surprised yelp and cry from her. She saw her sister in the doorway with the girls staring at her with this guy feeling her up with a hand between her legs rubbing her crotch. She saw June urge the girls to find John as she picked up a shoe and hit him. All that did was piss the guy off as he then started to do the same to June.
It was John that not only stopped him but drove him off.
He held her for a long time that day. She berated herself over and over again as he did so. He sent her to her room as he saw the dealer come back with friends.
She shuddered at the memory.
" I know he can take care of me physically if need be, I am wanting to know if he can take care of me emotionally. You have said that he has never had a relationship like what I am looking for. So is he able to take care of me like that?" She asked.
Cortana sat and thought for a moment before she gave her reply, " I am sure he could. Something Spartans are designed to do is to adapt. How that would play into a love life? I am not sure. If I had to give one piece of advice, however, take things slow. He is a master when it comes to the battlefield, but is completely clueless when it comes to the sheets. So to speak."
" How slow are we talking here?" she asked. That just got her a raised eyebrow, " Ok, I see what you may be thinking and no I am not wondering if I should jump him as soon as he gets home. But I do want to know how fast or how slow I should go."
"I would just go for a walk and enjoy the company. Maybe sit on a bench and just talk. Go on runs with him when he does his PE in the mornings. Those would be good starts. And, I know this is a bit backward, but you may want to be the one to start the relationship at least until he gets into it. You may also want to explain some of the things couples do in such activities. And not just taking his money either. But also the slower moments in between going out to the movies or a fancy restaurant, but that a date could be just a simple walk in the park or even a stay at home movie and dinner...without the extras." Cortana told her.
" So what Tai and I did but on a bit of a more leisurely pace?" She asked.
She received a nod.
" I also would like to say one thing. He has a very well known reputation for being lucky. And when I say a lucky streak, I mean it is meme-worthy. The UNSC officers and Human Resources have joked about it. Saying that, and I quote, He gave lady luck such a wonderful time in the bedroom that she blessed him with an infinite amount of luck so he can come back and bone her again!" Cortana finished before she started to laugh like a madwoman.
Summer smiled and laughed with her. It was kind of funny. And to say that there wasn't any marriet to it would be false. She was shown what all he went through during his war against the covenant. His luck has pulled both him and others through.
" So I should take him to a casino and win the jackpot then?" She asked playing along.
" YOU MAY COME HOME WITH MORE MONEY THEN YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH!" Cortana wheezed out as she gripped her sides. When she was done laughing she simply said that she needed a good laugh.
" How is he on promises? Will he keep them?" Summer asked her.
That got Cortana to stop her laughing and look at her.
" He never makes a promise he can't keep. If he promises something, it will be done. Even if it takes a long time to complete." Cortana told her as she held her arm as if she was trying to force down a memory.
Summer took notice of the action. " Cortana, are you OK? You look like you are trying to not remember something." She asked the android.
Cortana took a breath before she started to tell her what happened.
" Summer, you may not know this but I know exactly what you went through. And by AI standards, longer too." Cortana told her solemnly.
Summer had a doubtful look, " Not calling you a liar but how can an AI go through that kind of torture and humiliation that I went through?" Summer asked her.
Cortana looked at her with a pained look. A look that she has given multiple times before when asked to relive those events, " My core matrix was left in High Charity for 38 days. In that time I was subjected to multiple security breaches in my code." Cortana paused remembering her time in High Charity with the gravemind. The way he fed her data to lure her in. The alien forest she was presented with the promise of more as long as she joined. The way he manipulated her into thinking she was going rampant. " You see, in the time it would take for you to say my name I could perform over one-hundred different tasks. I had to power down and try to save what little I could and I was still subjected to hurt. When John came and got me, I was so broken that I thought that thing made a human-like thing to mimic him as a way to ease me into rampancy. And even if it was, the last thing I was determined to have on my mind would be him. I called out to him and was surprised to hear him answer. When he slotted me into his armor, he actually flinched due to the damage I sustained. He promised me when he left me in that hell hole that he would return. And he did."
Summer thought it over wondering how you go about raping an AI before she decided it did not matter. Cortana was just as broken as she is and she came out of it on top.
" Who or what was it that did this to you?" She asked.
Cortana looked at her wondering what to tell her. " -Sigh- I am going to keep what it is and how it looks and came to be classified. You do not want to know what this thing looks like until you feel like you think you can handle it. For now, I can give you a name and a very, and I mean a very, vague description. It's called a Gravemind and as far as looks, well let's just say you should be thankful that you are not a Japanese schoolgirl in an anime. So many bad tentacles."
Summer looked at her as her android friend wondering if she was ok.
" Cortana, sweety, what is a Japanese anime and why is that important," Summer asked her.
" It is completely ok if you don't get it, that is mainly for those reading this." Cortana said looking towards the camera and winking.
" CORTANA! STOP BREAKING THE FOURTH WALL DAMN IT! DO YOU KNOW HOW EXPENSIVE IT IS TO REBUILD THE DAMN THING?"
" Red, Screw you. Why don't you just marry these two already? Everyone here is wanting to see that and maybe even some honeymoon action. Eh-eh!"
" Cortana, babe, that has to be earned. Not a ' Hey John let's get married and procreate.' in the first paragraph. Not really earned or anything. It would just be a lemon with no substance. It has to be earned otherwise it is just a porno. And no one wants that."
"Ah! You dare say the P-word! The goal of you! Have you no shame?"
" Grrr. Deep breaths man, deep breaths. In through the nose, hold, out through the nose. -sigh- Cortana. Can I please get back to the story now? The marriage and honeymoon will be coming in a later chapter. Just not now. But if it will help I might be able to swing in a date. Does that meet with your approval?"
Cortana thought about it for a second before shrugging and letting the story continues.
" Ummm, Cortana, are you ok? You started to talk to no one like they were sitting next to you." Summer asked.
" I am fine. I am just fine. I just needed to confirm something real quick. Oh, I can't wait to see what is coming up!" the AI squealed as she rambled off.
" So this is a tentacle alien I take it?" Summer asked getting her back on track.
Cortana wiggled her hand back in forth in a so-so manner.
" Alien yes, tentacles is also a yes. Tentacle monster...ehhh sure why not."
Summer made an 'oh' as she and the AI sat in silence. There were a couple more questions she wanted to ask but was unsure how to go about it. She took a breath and just said the first thing on her mind.
" Cortana, both you and John have said that the origins of the Spartans are classified. I am not asking to be let into the loop right now but I want to know if it will cause any problems for us in the future."
Cortana had a downcast look. " Summer, when we do tell you, I think your heart might break. I know Tai felt bad for him and was even ready to go to war on his behalf."
She was told that her late husband knew the history behind the man in question and that he was livid with what he was told.
Summer closed her eyes and took a breath. If what Cortana is saying is true, then there is something within John's past that will hurt her. But what is it?
" Cortana, I need to know if this would hinder a relationship. I need to know that if we do work out and even tie the knot, that those skeletons won't be coming to bite us." She asked.
" If you are asking if he has a wife or child back home, then you don't need to worry about you or him going behind someone's back or a mystery child. Nor does he carry any diseases. You are good in any of those departments. It's mainly what has made him into what he is now that you may take issues with." Cortana took a breath before divulging part of what is to come, " The most I am will to tell you right now is that he was surgically altered to be able to wear the armor. And let's just say that some of the surgeries will make sick, while others… well, they may make you one happy woman." Cortana told her.
Summer made a face, " And what would those be?"
Cortana just chuckled saying that she will be very happy and content with him.
Summer said that she had one last question. That being how to go about the upcoming relationship and how to get over her grief over Tai. To her, she is still grieving her late husband and that if she moved on, she would be forgetting him. And to that Cortana told her that Tai would not want her to live in the past and instead live for the future. To be as happy as possible and not have any regrets.
Cortana told her to take the time needed to think things through before she made any big decisions. That is where she sat for most of the day. Wondering what Tai would tell her in this situation. Should she or should she not pursue a new relationship being the main part of her focus. As much as she wants to move on, she doesn't want to for fear of the feeling of betraying Tai. And what of the other secrets that they have? She was assured that she would not be put in danger of said secrets and that when John was ready and she earned the trust needed, she would get all the answers she would want.
She sat nursing a pot of coffee for a full three hours wrestling with her thoughts when the door opened to the sound of Ruby, Blake and Yang coming inside talking and just wanting to wind down. Blake and Yang were going to start their homework that is due the next day with Ruby wanting to go out and shoot for a bit before she did the little homework she had to do as she came into the kitchen.
" Oh! Hey mom! How are you feeling?" Ruby asked her.
Summer smiled as she cupped her daughter's cheek as she looked into her eyes with a smile before she gave her youngest a hug before asking if she needed anything.
" I was going to grab a couple of strawberries and then go out shooting. Then I saw you sitting at the table. And so I just wanted to know if you are doing alright." Ruby told her as she embraced her mother.
" I am doing fine sweety. I am doing just fine. I just love you so much." Summer said as she released her with a kiss on the head. " Now go shoot some cans will yea?"
Ruby nodded before she ran to the fridge and grabbed a handful of preprepared strawberries as she quickly ran up to her room and grabbed her new rifle and some rounds.
Her new rifle was a bit of a bigger caliber and was a Christmas gift from her grandfather. A 5.56 that had a scope mounted on the rails as well as a bipod. She has been becoming a crack shot and at greater distances.
" Be sure to wear ear protection!" she shouted to Ruby as she slipped out as Yang and Blake entered the kitchen and took out their homework.
" What are you two working on?" Cortana asked as she came in and hugged each girl.
Both girls looked at her and simply said " Math. Our old nemesis."
Cortana smiled before she got a glass of water and some snacks for the two before she sat across from them and was ready to play support as Summer stood.
" As much as I know I should stay and help, I think you can handle things. I would like to freshen up a bit. Maybe then I can give you an answer as to what I am wanting to do." Summer told the trio.
Cortana had a knowing smirk on her face. One that said she knew what she was really doing.
" Freshen up huh? Are you freshening up because you were lounging around all day? Or because you might ask a certain someone out on a date? Like I don't know, maybe a certain armed and augmented man that has the hearts of your two daughters and brought you into the fold?" She said with a smirk and raised an eyebrow.
That got both Blake and Yang to look at her wondering if she was going to respond and if she was going to ask John out. With Yang hoping that her mom was finally going to move on and Blake hoping that her adopted dad will finally be with someone and give her a new mom.
Summer just gaped like a fish at what Cortana was saying.
" C-Cortana! I said I would hopefully have an answer! Not that I was going to get ready for a date!" She stuttered with the heat rising to her cheeks.
Cortana laughed as Summer continued to stutter and blush as the girls watched on.
" Go get in the shower honey. John will be home in a couple of hours." the AI said as she shoed her out of the kitchen.
Summer slammed the door behind her still with a blush on her. How could she speak such a thing? All she wanted was to freshen up and Cortana had to twist it into a date. The nerve. She blew out a hard breath as she walked over to her dresser. She grabbed a matching set of undergarments and countertop stockings. She then grabbed a blouse, skirt and her ever-present corset all with white trim and set it all out on the bed for her to through on later...after her shower. Maybe even a cool shower, especially with the stunt Cortana, pulled.
She walked into the bathroom and started to water before she disrobed and entered when the water was at the desired temperature. She let a sigh of contentment escape her lips as the water hit her skin.
She let the water soak into her skin as she let her thoughts and heart open.
' What should I do? I don't want to forget Tai yet at the same time I don't want to be alone anymore. I don't want to lie in bed alone anymore. The craving of being held, to wake up to a lover's embrace.' she let out another sigh, ' but at the same time, I don't want to be in such a situation. I both crave and dread a man's embrace. What a conundrum I have huh? Oh how much I wish for the answers to be simple. Or to have them just drop into my lap, that would be nice.' she thought as she tilted her head to let the water run down her neck and chest. She closed her eyes with a smile. With her eyes closed, she could pretend to be in the shower in the home that she and Tai shared.
She suddenly felt a pair of hands wrap around her waist as a chest pressed up against hers. She turned and was met with Tai's loving embrace. She smiled at the sight of him as she rested up against him.
" Tai." she moaned.
" Summer, do you remember what I asked of you when you were in the hospital?" he asked as he rubbed her abdomen. She moaned at his touch.
" Tai, I don't know what to do. I don't want to forget you, yet I miss what we had." she said.
" Summer you must move on," he said as he turned her around to face him, " I will always be with you no matter where you are or who you are with. I am always with you in here, and here." he said to her as he pointed to her head and her heart, " Please Summer. John has had very little joy. He has always been seen and used as a machine of war. He needs to see the other side of life. He needs to know what a peaceful life can be like." he took her hand and kissed it,
" Please. Do it for me. You are still young so live your life to the fullest. Don't grow old and alone like some of the other widows."
Summer looked into his blue eyes not wanting to let him go.
" Tai. I-" She was interrupted with a kiss.
" Its ok Summer. I am in a better place. A place free from pain. Now I think you may want to finish up. John needs you, and I can tell that you need him. And he is going to be home soon." he said placing a featherweight kiss on her nose. His hands slid down to her lower back and pulled her in for one last passionate kiss.
She leaned into the kiss with her eyes closed and a low moan. When she opened her eyes Tai was gone and she was still under the showerhead with the water sliding down her chest and middle. She looked around confused as she then brought a hand to her nose where Tai kissed her.
She took a breath and leaned up against the opposite wall. ' The hell was that? Did I just see a ghost? Is what he said true? Should I trust it?' closing her eyes again she let her heart open up and run.
Flashback
Summer was in the market with John. It was just the two of them getting groceries for the house that was not grown in the garden. Meat mostly as well as some pasta. She stuck close to John as they walked the isles. She would occasionally press up against him in a shy way to hide from some of the other shoppers.
She didn't know if any of the other shoppers were people she was forced to sleep with. What if one recognized her and tried to make a move on her? Or try to steal her away from John? She could not go through that again.
She felt a massive hand engulf hers as she looked and saw that it led to John. He held a gentle yet firm look letting her know that he has her.
" I have you, Summer. No one is going to take you from my side without getting beaten." he told her.
She nodded and just leaned into his side as he switched from holding her hand to wrapping an arm around her waist and held her close.
She had a small smile on her face while on the inside she was beaming.
Present
She smiled at the memory before she came to a decision.
" I do enjoy his company. Why not give him the chance. He has helped me and held me when I needed it." she said aloud as she turned the water off and grabbed a towel. She dried off and quickly dried her hair as she examined her body for any defects that she should take care of.
' No nothing that I need to pull or hide. Hell, even my scars are gone from the needles and other things I was hit with.' she thought doing a twirl.
She left the bathroom and began to get dressed. Once she was clothed, she then went to a vanity mirror and started to do her make-up.
' Nothing to fancy. John appreciates simple. Just some light foundation and lip-stick. Maybe even some blush on the cheeks.' she thought as she applied the amounts she wanted and then did her hair.
She heard the house door open and the sound of the kids running. She grabbed her hood and went downstairs to see John fully armored up with a certain young Rose in his arms. Both had a smile as Ruby climbed up onto Johns's shoulder and just sat there with a bright smile on her face and a look of happiness on the Spartans.
Yang and Bake came into the living room with Ruby's gun on Blakes back as she was firing it last.
" Dad! Your back! How was your mission? Did you get the Grimm nest cleared out?" Yang asked.
John grabbed Ruby and set her on the floor as he knelt and simply said that he would not be home if it was still a thing. That got a laugh from the three as he caught Summer from the corner of his eye. He turned and saw her watching him with a smile.
" Summer. How are you feeling? Good, I hope." He said turning to her.
" I am doing ok. I was hoping that you would like to join me for a walk. I got somethings I would like to talk to you about." she said.
He smiled before he answered, " I would be honored to. Just let me get out of my armor." He requested as he gestured to his armored bulk. She chuckled as she said that was fine.
He nodded his head and took the stairs to the disassembler in his workshop. She sat on the couch and waited as the girls came up to her.
" Mom. You have a look too you. I can't describe it but you look so...bright. Chipper I guess." Yang noted.
Summer looked at them with a smile. " Well, I am asking John to accompany me. I don't want to jinx it but I am hoping for something to happen." she said.
Blake looked at her with a smile on her face. " I hope he accepts. I would love having you as my new mom." Blake said to her as she pressed her head up against her arm like a cat would when it was happy. Summer smiled and rubbed her head as Yang sat next to her on her right with Ruby sitting on her lap hugging her. She embraced each child as she saw John come up from the basement in a set of charcoal grey cargo pants and boots with a navy blue shirt with the S-II logo on the front. A gift Cortana made him. She also got a black leather jacket with the same symbol on the back. Blue, white and with gold trim sown on the back. But it was a bit too warm for the jacket.
He looked at her and had a smile grace his lips at the sight. " Are you ready to go?" he asked.
She nodded as she set Ruby on the couch before she kissed her on the head as well as Yang and Blake before she told them to behave and made for the door. He held his arm out for her to take and led her out.
Once out on the deck, she led him off the deck and into one of the many paths in the woods. John had long ago cleared any and all local Grimm with in the area. She wouldn't be surprised if he actually did clear the entire island of Grimm. Well, most of the Grimm. There are those that he can't fully anticipate. Like the Gricks or other small and insect-like Grimm. Unless he wanted to burn down the entire island and kill all the inhabitants and lose all the trust and support he gained over the years.
The two didn't talk all that much, just enjoyed the company they shared. They just listened to the song of the birds and other sounds of the woods. A river can be heard as the two were walking along. The trail they were on led to a local trail for hikers and alike with the river running right next to it. The two walked the trail to a junction where a bench had been placed. Summer led John to the bench and sat with her leaning onto his shoulder with a smile.
The sat in silence enjoying the other's company as the wind blew through the trees and the river sloshing away. There were even some ducks on the surface of the water. Summer sighed as she looked to see that John was in a state of contentment. Eyes closed and breathing calm.
Summer worked up the courage to ask him if he would like to give 'them' a shot.
' Well, now I know what it is like to be the one asking for once. If women knew how much presser a guy is under, then they may be more respectful if they decline.' Summer thought as she gathered her thoughts.
" John." she called to him gaining his attention, " Beacon is having its prom in a couple of weeks,' she started as she twirled a lock of her hair, " I was wondering if you would like to go with me?"
John didn't answer right away causing her to sweat a little bit out of nervousness.
" What is a prom?" he asked.
Of course. Cortana said that he was always on the front lines and never did go to anything fancy like that.
" A prom is a formal gathering where people gather and socialize. The ballroom is decorated and music is played. The people gather and dance and have fun." Summer explained.
" And you are hoping for me to escort you?" He asked in return.
She shook her head, " No. I was hoping you come with me as my date." She told him.
John looked at her processing what she means by 'date'.
"John, I am asking you if you would like to be in a relationship with me." She said cutting through the crap.
He still had a confused look. " Why me?"
" What is not to love about you. Aside from your looks, of which are amazing, you are respectful and kind. You are not the kind of guy to blow his paycheck at the bar or sleep around with the first woman you see. And my daughters adore you. And I trust them. I trust you. They trust you. And I don't want to be alone anymore. I want to be with you and I am hoping you at least would like to see what it is like to be with someone." Summer said hoping he would consider it at the least.
John was surprised that Summer would ask such a thing. Sure he did find her to be not just beautiful, but also a great person. She seemed to think highly of him. So he was left with a question, should he take the risk that he might hurt her if he declined or to go in unprepared with little to no intel. Play it safe or take the risk. He sat a little longer thinking it through.
Summer, on the other hand, was starting to think that he did not see her in the same way and was going to decline.
It was when he blew out a breath to answer did she brace for it.
" Summer, I don't know what or how to do this or say. I am sure you know why I would be hesitant to take part in such an action." he started with Summer starting to gain a downcast look, " But a certain few things have either happened or were said that is pushing me to it."
She gained a glint in her eyes hoping he was going to accept, " Part of it comes from the girls often referring to me as a father. And a certain AI of mine have been needling me into doing something more." he finished.
Summer smiled looking at him. " John, I am more than willing to take charge until you know what to do. I know it's a bit backward but with what little I do know of your background I am willing to try. Plus it gives me a new perspective on what men go through when approaching a woman to ask her out." she said.
He looked at her not sure what she meant by the last part. But decided that it didn't matter at the moment. They sat on the bench with Summer explaining to him what a relationship mostly entails and some other smaller things that came along with it. It was only when the first threats of rain started did they start to make it back for home. They were almost home when the rain poured down on them, soaking them to the bone. To John, it was just another run in the rain, something he has done many times. But for Summer? She was struggling to keep up with him. He finally just picked her up and carried her back to the house. When he got on the deck he set her back on her feet. She had a smile on her rain-soaked face as she looked up at him with a hint of a blush but was giggling nonetheless. " That was kind of fun." she said in between giggles.
John just gave her a smile as he opened the door for her and let her in.
Cortana and the girls were watching a movie when the door opens to reveal two waterlogged figures in the doorway. They stepped in to show that both John and Summer were caught in the rain as their clothes clung to their bodies. Summer's hair clung to her face in places with her makeup being messed up as well. John motioned for her to take the first go in the shower as he went to his room to get out of his soaked clothing and into something dry.
" Do you think they are now together?" Ruby asked as she saw her mom with a bright smile before she went up to get some dry clothes.
Cortana looked at her with a smile, " I think they are."
The other two girls shared a smile at the thought of either their mother or father was finally going to make the family whole again. And they could not wait for that time to come.
Over the next couple of weeks leading up to Beacons Prom, Summer and John have spent more time together. Summer would visit John both at the company and at the ship. She was surprised to see the Dawn. Not just because of its state of construction, but the fact that a starship was right under her nose. She would come not only to visit but also have lunch with John even coming home or to Signal and have a bit of a lunch date.
The day of the Prom had come. June had come and taken Summer to get ready and to surprise John for when he picks her up. Cortana had helped John in what all goes into a prom. If they were in high school, 'royalty' would be voted on. A court with a prom King and Queen. Both the men and the women would get in their outfits and take photos. Then if they had dates, go out for dinner and even more photos would be taken before they arrive at the ballroom. Then dance the night away until it was over or until they get tired and decide to head out.
John was going to make a reservation but Cortana insisted that she makes dinner for the two with the girls even wanting to chip in. As for a suit, he went with a modified dress uniform from his time of service. It was modified in such a way that it had Remnant patches and medals rather than UNSC that stood for the equivalent.
Over at June's apartment, we can see that June was doing her sister's hair and doing what she can to keep her sister calm and lose.
" Soooo, how did you and he get together? Was it a romantic date? An accidental confession that just led to you getting together?" She kept asking with a smile beaming with joy as she worked a brush through her hair.
" No, I sat at home wrestling with my heart and feeling trying to make sense of it all and just talked to Cortana." Summer said as her head slightly jerked as the brush hit a tangle, " Ou, take it easy sis. I still want my head at the end of this. Anyway, I just talked to her to help bring my feelings into focus and what to do with them. I took a shower, met a ghost and then just asked John out for a walk. We went to a nearby river and that is where it happens. Did get caught in the rain though."
" Ohhh isn't that sweet!" June squealed out as she started to do her sister's hair up the way she was wanting. " Any ideas as to where John is going to take you to eat? And how does it feel that you are with probably the most dangerous person on the planet?"
Summer kept her head straight as June was folding and putting bobby pins in, " Cortana said to us that she and the girls would love to make dinner for us. So it is a home date. And as far as the most dangerous person on the planet, try the universe. And it feels good to have such a man that can protect me. I am just worried that I won't be enough for him. I can't bare any more children and I would like to have one with him." She replied.
June stopped what she was doing and gave her sister a loving hug. " Summ, I know for a fact that John won't up and leave you for someone else simply because of fertility. I am sure he loves you more than just your body. He strikes me as the person who looks deeper than just looks. If it wasn't for me being gone constantly, I might have tried for a booty call on him. But that would just be a carnal desire. I know he wouldn't be interested in anything like that. But it is nice to fantasy." June confessed. She then turned Summer around and went back to work on her hair.
A few minutes went by before Summer asked if she would look nice in her dress and if she should try and make a move on him. Well, maybe not that last one but June did inquire in a joking manner if she was going to make a move on him.
Once she was done with getting her hair styled and done up was Summer ready for makeup. She stood in front of the mirror applying the foundation followed by some blush. Once her face was done up she applied some silver eyeshadow to her eyelids, mascara to her lashes and eyeliner. When she was done her silver eyes just seemed to pop more. Last and not least was her lips. She had a special colored lipstick that she liked. A cherry red. She applied it as well as a protective gloss. When she was done, her face was perfect. No blemishes were seen.
When she exited the bathroom, June gave her an approving whistle and a nod.
" So, do you have a dress picked out? Or are you going to use something that you already have in your wardrobe?" June asked her sister.
Summer thought about it. Her dress from when she was in Beacon was gone. Wait, did she have her dress here? Yes, she did. She went over and grabbed it. It was simple as it was pretty. Silver with a black ribbon around the waist with a black mesh covering her chest. ( Think Ruby's prom dress but in silver.)
She slipped back into the bathroom with the dress and the nylons and put them on. She exited the bathroom all dressed up and ready. June gave her a look over with a smile and nod of approval.
" Sis, if I was not your sister, I would ask you out in a heartbeat. Damn you look absolutely beautiful...and hot." June told her by way of compliment.
Summer looked down at that with a blush on her face.
" June. Stop teasing me."
Lune laughed as she grabbed her camera and started to take pictures until John came to get her.
A short time later a knock was heard.
" That is your date." June sang out to her as she went to the door. She opened it and " Oh mama. If you weren't dating my sister I would stip you down and have you all to myself." June said drooling a bit.
She opened the door wider and June saw her date in all of his dressed-up glory. He was in a black Dress Uniform that was modified to hide the fact that he was of a wholly different government and world. The left side of his chest was, like the uniform, were modified to reflect a more Remnant style of medals, was covered in medals and awards and campaign ribbons. The amount of metal on his chest could be melted down and used to make a statue. But it all looked good on him. And the sent she was getting off of him? The cologne he has on is flipping a trigger for her.
John, in turn, gave her a very quick once over. And are her eyes deceiving her or did his eyes widen a bit? He didn't say anything right away. When he found his voice, he had a sense of awe in it.
" Summer. You look beautiful." he complimented dumbstruck.
Summer blushed at the praise but felt a confidence boost. She smiled and said that he looked handsome as she snaked her arm around his.
" Have fun you two! And use protection!" June called laughing.
Summer groaned as John led her to his Warthog.
" What did she mean to use protection?" he asked.
She just groaned again and said that she will tell him later. He nodded as they reached the vehicle. He opened the door and helped her in as he went around and got the driver's side. It overall wasn't a long drive and she rather enjoyed the time.
When they got to the house it was clean and the aroma? She took another sniff of the air and smelt garlic. And if it has garlic in it, it is Italian. And if it is Italian, it is going to be good. John escorted her to the kitchen and was greeted with a clothed table with candles. John led her to a chair and slid the chair out for her and then under her before sitting down himself. She thanked him and just talked.
They were talking when from the kitchen Cortana, Yang, Blake and, Ruby came in. Each girl decided to play the part as they were in semi-maid looks with different items in their hands. Cortana had a steaming platter of pasta, Ruby had a bowl of salad, Yang with a basket of breadsticks and Blake was holding a couple of bottles of non-alcoholic wine aka sparkling grape juice. They set them on the table with smiles as Ruby and Yang gave Summer a long loving hug before they retreated into the kitchen with Blake doing the same. Cortana stayed and pointed to each dish that was prepared.
" So for starters, we got salad straight from the garden, chicken and broccoli alfredo, breadsticks drizzled with garlic butter, and grape juice to wash it all down. And for dessert, we have a chocolate zucchini cake with cherries and chocolate frosting. Now enjoy and be sure to leave a good tip." She said walking back to the kitchen.
The couple said their thanks as they set their plates and ate exchanging small talk and John wondering what all happens with such an event.
Summer told him that prom was what she has been saying, a gathering of people where they dance.
John looked at her right in the eye, " Summer. The only dance I have ever known was the dance of war. I don't know how to dance in a setting like this." John confessed to her.
She gave a small laugh before telling him that she will think of something.
After supper Summer grabbed her silver shawl to cover her shoulders, puffed some perfume on her, hugged everyone, and then left with John to dance the night away.
When they arrived at the ballroom, the first thing they saw was Ozpin waiting for them along with Glynda. The two faculty approached and greeted the two.
" Summer. John. It's good to see you both. I hope you two have a wonderful night. Both of you have earned it. I will admit Summer, when you called and asked if you and John could attend, I was surprised. Pleasantly surprised." Ozpin said to the new couple.
Glynda walked up to them and gave both of her friends a hug before telling them to enjoy themselves.
And they did. They had partaken in many of the slower couples dances while leaving all of the grinding shit to the young people who think it is hip to have dry sex on the dance floor.
Not to say all the dances were bad or a moshpit, there were some good solo and team acts that even had John nodding in approval.
But for the most part it was good couples fun. And John and Summer enjoyed every minute of it. In fact the closing shot of the sean is of Summer with her arms wrapped around his neck and John with his hands on her waist gently swaying to the music. Summer even pulled herself up and placed a small quick kiss catching the SPARTAN by surprise.
They were fighting again. She could hear it. Her birthday was only a couple of months ago and mom and dad got into a really big fight. She saw her mom ask why he missed the dinner. He just blew it off and she kept pressing until he blew. And the ramifications of that fight are still being felt. The fight she is hearing is one such.
She knew she shouldn't but she let her curiosity get the best of her. She got out of bed and walked the halls to her father's study where the fighting was coming from.
"...DO YOU THINK I CARE!?" her father yelled, " I only married you for the name and now that I have it, you are worthless. The only thing you are good for now is to keep appearances for the public media and to pump out children when I ask. Other than that I don't care about you."
" What did I ever see in you?" She heard her mother say.
" You only saw what I wanted you to see. And because of that, you lost everything to me. And no divorce will give it back." her father jeered.
She heard her mother began to tear up as she said that the worthless wife is moving out of the bedroom.
" Good. Get out of the master bedroom. Your shit is taking up way to much space. Get it out with in the next twenty-four hours or I will burn them."
" You are a bastard Jaque. If given the option to redo everything, I would tell myself to run as far and as fast as possible and that you are nothing but a snake." she heard her mother say.
Her father chuckled, " And then you wouldn't have that failure of a daughter Winter, Weiss, or Whitley. Would you risk not being able to have them if it weren't for me?" she could hear the smirk in his voice.
Her mother said nothing. Weiss started to back away from thinking her mother was fixing to leave. The door opened and her mom walked out of the room crying. Before she could get fully out of the room her father made one last statement, " At least the secretary is a better fuck then you! You hagg!"
Weiss didn't really know what he meant but she saw her mom slam the door and start to silently cry.
Ahhhh. So as you can tell this was all Summer wrestling with her heart and whether or not she should get together with John or not. Now I was never married and lost them so I can't even begin to understand that kind of pain. She wrestled with a few things within each flashback. Seeing John training the girls and her and Cortana making their own Spartan armor, cosplaying as John's female blue team teammates, jealousy creeping into her thoughts when another female is present and makes advances, her getting a job and worrying for John's safety and the comfort he brings her, and then her learning about the truth. John and Cortana are from space. Gasp! Shock! Horor! Lightning crackle lightning crackle! And a bit of a, I don't know what you would call it with her finding John's briefing room and her thinking that John and Cortana were into some kinky shit so let's just call it a thing and be done.
That all led up to her at the beginning. Should she move out and not be part of John's team because he lied to her about who and what he was? Or stay and learn more about the man that saved her life and even possibly get a new relationship. Now we all knew how this was going to play out. Summer and John were going to get together. The question was when and what would the lead up be. I doubt I did a good job and I do think I could have done better but I will let you guys decide.
I actually had the talk between Cortana and Summer planned a few months in advance to even a year. Now it is different compared to what you got but that is what pre-planning is for right?
But what about them getting some action in!
Cortana? How did you get into this AN? And what action are you referring too?
I am compiled of code you dingus. I hacked into your computer. And I want to see them make babies damn it! I want to be an aunt already!
Cortana what did I tell you before? If it is a lemon with no build up it is just a porno and no one and I mean no one wants that. They may think they do but they don't. And I don't want to objectify women either.
But, but, they need this. I need this. Both need to be happy and this is a way they can form a deeper bond!
Grrr. Cortana. When they go on their honeymoon, she will show John the pleasures of being in a relationship like that. Tell you what next chapter I will add in a lemon. That sound good?
Yes. Yes it does. And I get to watch.
Sure. In Fact I will put you right in the room and you three can have a threesome. Sound good?
-happy AI noises-
With that out of the way we can continue. Summer confessing to John about her feelings and starting a relationship is a little backwards I know. But this is a woman who has been in a relationship before, John has not. So if she was wanting him to start it, she would be waiting forever. So yes she started it. Something you don't see often and it is a nice change of pace.
Some background lunch dates before prom. June and Cortana teasing the person they are watching over with June mostly teasing her sister as she did her hair and make up.
John I put in a modded UNSC uniform to hide the fact that he is, you know, from a different world.
Now some of you may be wondering, WHY THE HELL DO YOU ALWAYS GO INTO DETAIL WHEN FOOD IS INVOLVED! IT IS MAKING ME HUNGRY!
Well that is simple. I love to cook. And Italian is awesome. And since part of my family tree is from the motherland of Italy, well Dracula would be dead before he could even get in the house. Garlic is not only in the house, but infused into my blood at this point.
Then the dance itself and the ending kiss. Awwweee.
And I planted a seed there at the end that will be resolved later. So yes Weiss is seeing some things that will...well I will let the next chapter explain it. I don't see Jaque being faithful and just being a dick. Punching below the belt and treating Willow like shit and rubbing everything he does in her face.
Ok so let's talk about something else, somethings that has been going on IRL.
Darkside Royalty Lore recently came out with a new series of videos. The Greatest Flexes in both Destiny and Halo. Go check it all out. Really good.
Halo Reach is out on the MCC. Season of Dawn is up in Destiny2. And RWBY Season 7 is done. Aaaaand I got words to say. So let's start with Reach.
I could go into detail as to what I like and dislike about the game itself when it came out on the 360 but that is not why we are here. Do I think that Reach was a good port to the MCC? Yes it was. New achievements to earn. It does have its flaws though. You only get XP for playing multiplayer and firefight. No campaign. No customs. No forge. Now I did hear from HiddenXperia that 343 is looking into that as well as the next thing I want to cover. Of witch is right now, that being the unlock tree. Do I really need to say anything? It is so linier. No real customization until you get to the end of the second page. Does anyone remember in OG reach when the game gave you 10 thousand credits to make your own badass? It was enough to get a couple of shoulders pieces, a helmet and attachments. Just enough to make you stand out on your journey to better armor. And like I said, I herd that 343 is looking into making it less linier.
Destiny 2 and Season of Dawn. Meeting and Saving Saint-14 was amazing and I am not going to lie, I was riding that hype for a while. And I am close to getting the gauntlets ornament. I thought I would not get it. But, like Joker from Darkside Royalty Lore has said, it is kind of boring. The Sundial is fun but don't get attached because it is going to be gone in the next season. Season of the Dawn? More like Yawn. Look I love Destiny. I love the world and lore. But Bungie, you left an abusive relationship. You don't need to be like this. Make the game you want to make.
RWBY V7. Ok. I got some words here. First the positives.
The charter designs were great. Each charter looked great in their new outfits. And the fights were pretty good as well.
Then we get the bad. I am sorry if it seems like all I want to do is bitch about what this season did wrong...in my opinion of course.
So let's get started. First off I want to say is that RWBY needs more than 13 episodes. RoosterTeeth needs to realize that. That or sell the rights to someone who will take care of the show. It needs more than 13 episodes. That is the disease of how the show is running in my opinion. And that leads to a few symptoms.
The first being charter growth and development. The ACE OPPS were supposed to be training team RWBY to explain how they got so good at doing thier job, fucking show us. Not just a montage either. Show the mentor and mentee relationship. Show them out and about. Show everyone how they are improving. This volume took place in Atlas. Supposedly the worst place for faunas civilians. Racism galore. Yet all we get is a single slur, a truck full of miners and Marrow mentioning it. Again SHOW US! Hell even when they were clearing out the mine, there should have been a flashback to when Weiss was a child and the event she was referring to. Hell even more flashbacks to her childhood.
Then thier is the fucking shipps.
My God. You know I did not mind Saphron and Terra being lesbian. Both were not established charters so they could do whatever they wanted. But Bumblebee? I don't feel like it had the time nor the build up nor does it carry the evidence that I think it should have for any relationship. But with today's climate and rise of PC SJW bullshit, they had to have it up front and in your face every chance they get. And like I told Cortana, you need to make sure a relationship is done right and let it fluish and be natural otherwise it is pandering. And Rooster Teeth pandered not to the Bumblebee crowd, no no no, Bumblebee shippers are OK I guess, I am referring to the fanatics. Those that ree and scream that some one would dare to criticize the shipp. Grrr.
And that is on top of charter desisions. Like Ruby withholding information...and Roben Hill being an idiot.
Ok, You know what I am feeling a bit ragey so I am just going to fucking leave this and move onto another topic. God I sometimes hate talking about shipps. We all know that there is only one true ship in RWBY that is better than any other shipp, and that is Ironwoods warship.
So with that said I am going to say fuck you to any shipping nonsence and move on.
So. Is there anything else I need to say and or talk about? I can't think of anything off of the top of my head. So let's go to the comments because I can't seem to think of anything else to talk about. OH but before I do go to the comments, I did get a book of One-shots up. RWBY one shots and other junk. It is in the regular RWBY section of FanFiction. So go check it out. The only thing that is up in it at the moment is just the Christmas special at the moment. But that is where I am planning on putting well, one shots and AUs of stories and holiday specials.
SO ON TO THE REVIEWS!
Sm0keyPanda
Okay, so I'm reviewing to say this.
YOU NEED TO TAG AT LEAST CHIEF AND CORTANA FOR THIS FIC.
Seriously, I literally just spent the past hour looking through every goddamn Halo x RWBY fanfic because every time I searched for Chief or Cortana, this fic wouldn't show up.
I just spent an hour looking for this fic just to reread it.
I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DO THIS.
TAG THE CHARACTERS. LITERALLY A FEW MOUSE CLICKS.
Uhhh, I thought I did. Hang on, let me look. So if I didn't then my bad and my apologies. But I could have sworn I did. It was not intentional if I didn't. But thanks for pointing it out. Hopefully it has been fixed.
TheFrinkyDinkMan
This is hands down one of the worst pieces of media but I've ever had the displeasure of interacting with.
-SKIP-
OK ok I do need to respond to this. You sir need to keep one thing in mind. You have no Idea what I could be going through. For all you know I am going to go and blow my Goddamn head off because of this. If I have to say one thing, follow a saying that I am sure you have heard from your mother or school teachers. If you have nothing nice to say, SAY FUCKING NOTHING! The one thing I have asked people is that if you are going to leave a negative comment, make it constructive. You have not. And I hate to come off as an ass or dick or whatever you want to think or say, but good riddance.
ChaoticChaos212
Hello there, so to start this is a good concept, I like what ya got going on, but it's very bare bones. This isn't bad, just shows how new you are to writing. What you should do is find someone to proof read your chapters before you post them, possibly post more but shorter chapters, and finally reread for grammer and such. I wanted to like this so much, but I couldn't get past the third chapter. Gl in writing and sorry to leave a bit of a negative review.
Well thank you. Compared to the the guy I just had to answer too, you are a breath of fresh air, and I am hoping at some point you will be reading this. So I guess I should respond to your points now. I do have a beta to look things over and I have been doing a double grammar and spell check. Well now I am. Google spell check alone is horrible. So it is both Google and Grammerly. So no, you are not leaving a negative review. You are leaving a constructive review. And for that you have my respect and approval.
Wolf
(Clapping in approval) Very fitting end for Gallen Very brutal indeed well done. Now is John gonna be the new be with summer and possibly raven because that's what it look likes from my perspective?also James is acting very out of character in canon he's stubborn and does things behind ozpin's back but it's for the greater good here he's acting like a selfish jealous prick because he see's armor and weapons that are superior to his own. Was that intentional?
Gallen's death was great wasn't it. And now he is in DarkSides tourter chamber in all sorts of different realities. I hope that this chapter helped clear up any confusion. John is going to become Summer's new husband...in a future chapter. I actually had a few people ask if it was John and Raven. It seems that I am good at making it look like John is going to get with many different ladies. Well I guess that's just John's luck. Stand by and be on the lookout. I will be having an AU where John gets a small harem of MILFs. Summer, Raven, Willow and maybe someone else.
As to James actions, I am placing him as a recent promotion and as such he is still trying to prove his worth. That, and while I hate politics, I am using the House Democrats attitude for him. At least for now. I hate how for three year, even longer, since before Trump was sworn in, they were having a hissy fit to the point that a new sickness was made. TDS. Trump Derangement Syndrome. Now James does not have that but he is making shit up and pin it on John. So yes it was intentional. Good eye on you mate.
dovah117
Well dont worry about the borde, using Ikora's Vex Gate I bring it here and it was burned using Prometheus Lens and I killed the fire with water imbuded with the Travelers Light and the ashes were launched to the deeps of the HELL Mouth, now about the chapter HELL YES SUMMER ID SAFE! Poor SUMMER, here give her this * a bunch of cookies appear* if she is like Ruby she silo love them, so I can torture Gallen? Well *creepy and scary voice* I hace some work to do, *Vex Gate behind me opens, I cross it an Gallen is in front of me* Im going to enjoy what I will do to you, first of I will crucificar, but to hold you there I will use these *show a Thorn bullet* these little things will prevent your Aura to be restored and they will poisong you, then these Hive thralls will eat you,very, VERY slowly, oh and dont worry of going into shock and not feeling it, you are going to stay concious and feel how they eat tour body, also you will feel all your pain ten times more of what a mere human feel, also *Shoot Hallen in bis crotch with a Golden fin shot* thats for SUMMER *the Vex Gate opens and the torture begin* fuck that bastar deserved more but I tan out of ideas, about Shadowkeep, by the Traveler, it was good, the Darkness was more close that what se thought, when I saw the Pyramid I got chills, about Oryx well the lore is telling that the Hive is searching a way to revive him, not like the Nightmare, we can talk about the game in PM if you want, now if you excuse me I have to go to other dimensions using this Vex gate *the gate activates and in the other side is the Pokémon world* hell yes! These will be a good place to relax, just I hope that I don't piss off any legendary, so bye! And see you in the next chapter! *cross the gate and it slowly desactivate*
Sky is the limit. Have fun. Also a common misconception, Ruby's favorite food is strawberries. Not cookies. A lot of people seem to get that wrong. No worries about it. Aaaand since I said I would tell you where that canon is from, it is from the greatest CAS ( Close Air Support ) jet in history. The A-mother fucken-10! Sorry. The A-10 ThunderBolt II AKA Warthog. A slow but durable aircraft. DId you know that the canon is bigger than a damn car? Look it up. You might learn some interesting facts on aircraft. I love airplanes. Big rigs and planes are in my blood...and garlic.
So your thoughts on season of DAWN? Pretty boring like Joker said, but Saint-14. I hope that those missions will become part of a rotating playlist. It was fun to meet and save him. Who can forget that last cutscene where he beat a minotaur with his skull. Or Vibe Checking the Mind? Ahhh. Seeing him kick ass is amazing.
Well! I got nothing else, nice talking to you as all ways. Have fun!
Sooo. That is all a thing. I know there's more I can say but I can't seem to figure it out. So I wish you all a good day. So with that my fellow Spartans, Ace's, Guardians, Assassins, Slayers, and fine lovely people of all ages, I bid you all a good night and or day. Please let me know what you think of the chapter. And please for the love of God, don't be that ass hole that is just a flamer. If you have a problem with something, point it out in a respectful way. Otherwise don't say anything.
Now to all of you guys, Fly Fast, Check Six, And I will see you fine people on the Virtual Battlefield. May God Bless you all!
