I am so, so sorry, I know I just got back but I may have to take another hiatus...
My mother keeps getting sick and I need to take care of her. Her blood pressures and blood sugars keep dropping, and she's a type 1/2 diabetic, she's been to the doctors but they don't know why she's like this.
I'm also working on expanding my wolfdog's pen with my Dad outside, which can take a lot out of someone in this horrid heat..
So if I'm actually at the computer to write, I'm mentally exhausted... Plus, I'm at a loss with what to do with Ice Flower right now.
WARNING: Attempted rape + homicide

Chapter Fourteen
Hold
[Weiss]
Date: Thursday, March 25th-March 26th
Stand By You - Rachel Platten
Hands, put your empty hands in mine

And scars, show me all the scars you hide

And hey, if your wings are broken

Please take mine so yours can open too

'Cause I'm gonna stand by you

Oh, tears make kaleidoscopes in your eyes

And hurt, I know you're hurting, but so am I

And love, if your wings are broken

Borrow mine so yours can open too

'Cause I'm gonna stand by you


"You two light the explosives while I find Reaper… Our little friend has located her for us, hopefully he's restrained the bitch, too."

Golden eyes flickered back in her direction and an almost knowing smirk crossed the tall woman's features. "And if you find the little heiress… Kill her, too."

Weiss remained as still as she could, watching as the ashen-haired woman disappeared in the building. She couldn't just sit here, she had to do something. The lady was going to kill her… She was going to kill Ruby.

A light buzzing sound echoed at the back of her head and she opened her eyes, her vision hazy and blurred. Every inch of her body trembled, her eyes wide and locked on the door to the storage room. Somebody was in there... She could hear them...

A nearly inaudible voice echoed through the room, just barely managing to interrupt her line of thought. "Weiss…? They're gone."

"RUBY!" She shrieked, electrical adrenaline rushed through her body and Weiss threw herself over the slippery rocks, running straight for the building. She had to find her… She didn't know where she was…

"Ruby! You've got to get out of there, now!"

Weiss flinched as the door slid open and she cowered back into her corner, covering her ears in an attempt to block out any noises around her and praying to any god that might exist that they wouldn't see her. He was back... He'd recovered and he'd come to find her. 'Leave me alone.' She tucked her knees to her chest, trying to make herself appear smaller so that she wasn't recognized.

A rough hand darted out from a dark room and grabbed her, snatching her back towards them. Weiss let out a yelp before another hand clamped over her mouth, hauling her back and into the room. Shock struck her for just a brief moment before the feel of a hand wrapping around her waist snapped her back to her senses.

A vaguely familiar figure stepped in front of her and knelt down, she could hear their voice speaking to her, but she couldn't comprehend what they were saying.

"Weiss?" She knew that voice…

Feeling an unfamiliar breath breathing down her neck, she reared her head back and grunted when the back of her head clashed with her attacker's jaw. The impact loosened his grip and she tore herself away from him, "Don't touch me! Get away-"

She was cut off by a strong fist shooting out to strike her; she found herself on the concrete floor the next moment, stunned and frozen. It took all of her willpower to ignore the stinging, throbbing pain, burning at her cheek. When her vision cleared, she saw her damaged earpiece laying to the left of her.

"Weiss…"

'What?' She squinted in an attempt to make out the person in front of her; releasing a heavy sigh when she saw worried silver eyes staring back at her.

Ruby... She was safe. Tears stung at the edges of her eyes at the sight of the brunette, a sense of relief embraced her. It was Ruby who was looking for her, calling for her… Ruby was here.

"I-I didn't mean to…" Weiss murmured, her voice low and nearly inaudible. She remained frozen in her corner, her body physically unable to move. If she stood up, she'd crash back down to the floor. Warm arms wrapped around her and she leaned into her girlfriend's embrace, feeling herself relax a little bit. "I'm sorry…"

She felt Ruby heave against her and dread pooled in the pit of her stomach. What if she didn't see her the same anymore? What if she left her?

"You're okay…" Ruby's soft voice whispers as her fingers rubbed gentle circles across Weiss' back, effectively soothing her tense and jittery nerves. Weiss felt weight lift off her shoulders, melting into her girlfriend's touch as her adrenaline faded away. "You're okay…" Ruby repeated as Weiss loosely wrapped her arms around Ruby's shoulders, timidly tucking her head under the brunette's chin.

Weiss could feel her consciousness slipping; she vaguely heard Ruby whispering to her. Strong arms slid under her legs and tenderly lifted her up.

"I've got you, Princess..."


A hard kick was delivered just below her navel and Weiss tumbled to the concrete below her, she hauled herself up with one hand, grasping at her stomach and breathing in shaky breaths. It required all of her willpower not to capitulate to the power of the blow.

Ace knelt down in front of her, roughly grabbing her chin and slamming her against the wall. The grin on his face was sickening, loathsome, and creepy. "Relax, girl, we're just gonna have some fun."

"Fuck you." Weiss growled out, discreetly reaching her hand down behind her while the man cackled. Her nimble fingers touched the blade and she folded her hand around it, slowly rotating it so that she'll have a better aim.

A familiar voice cried out her name from somewhere within the building and Ace's head jerked up with a bewildered look on his face, "Damn it, Zero." He murmured under his breath, his grip on Weiss' neck loosening just a little bit. "You stay here, Pet, I'll take care of ya little girlfriend first-"

Rage filled Weiss' veins and she thrusted the blade upwards with a strength she didn't know she possessed. "You won't touch her!" She hollered as Ace's head whipped around to look at her, her eyes widened in horror as the sharp edge pierced deep through the man's neck just below his ear, blood instantly pooling out from around the penetration wound.

Weiss became rigid and Ace jerked away, the knife still embedded in his neck causing the blade to cut down through his throat and down to his collarbone. Weiss' grip on the handle fell.

The man staggered to his feet, crimson liquid trickling from the edge of his mouth as sightless eyes stared at Weiss, all sources of life draining from his body. His weight leaning back, Ace toppled backwards, colliding with the concrete ground in a crumpled heap of blood and flesh.

Weiss opened her eyes, blue orbs flickering around in bewilderment as her mind slowly awoke. Once she returned to her senses, she found herself laying in a vaguely familiar offwhite room. A feeling of familiarity coursed through her and she weakly sat up, she groaned as the room began to spin again and the aching in her gut revealed itself.

"Gah…" Weiss murmured painfully, clenching her teeth and doubling over to clutch at her gut, overwhelmed by the searing agony rushing through every nerve in her body.

Her limbs felt heavy, and each time she moved her midsection, even by breathing, she felt queasy and miserable; it was like her need for air was restricted by only a few short breaths. Her vision blurred and her heartbeat became erratic.

Images of a muscular redheaded man flashed through her mind and her entire body strained; Weiss felt bile rise up in her throat and she released a quiet hacking noise as her gut churned with nausea. She could still feel harsh, calloused hands grabbing her jaw and forcing her to look into his menacing yellow eyes.

She would never be able to scrub away the feeling of his unforgiving hands on her skin…

Weiss let out a heavy, forced sigh and shaky fingers reached to grab the hem of her nightgown. She lifted it up and grimaced at the sight of the bruising imprint of the man's boot on her abdomen.

Suddenly, a chill raced up her spine and blood splashed across her vision, briefly startling the young woman. Her sight cleared and her heart stopped as lifeless yellow eyes stared back at her. Ace rose to his full height and stumbled towards her, his body slumped over and his steps heavy. One limp hand extended towards her-

"Get away from me!" Weiss shrieked, tossing herself as an attempt to escape from the man's grasp. For only a second, she felt vertigo move towards her as her body rapidly descended towards the floor. The back of her head collided with the wall and she released a pained grunt, stiffly sitting up to realize that her back had taken most of the impact.

"Weiss?!"

Weiss groaned and pushed herself up to rest her bruised back against the wall, rubbing her eyes as the bedroom door was flung open.

Another splash of blood flashed through her eyes and her entire body froze. She was trembling, her breaths were hard and uneven, and she felt like everything in her body was slowly shutting down, her legs became weak and she sunk down into the corner.

Everything inside of her was heavy. For some reason, she also had the strong urge to get up and run, to get away from everything and just hide, but something told her that if she tried to move she would simply scramble helplessly across the floor.

"Weiss," there was Ruby's voice again, and it sounded like she was right next to her, "talk to me, please. What's happening?"

What was happening? Weiss couldn't recall where she was, everything looked unfamiliar and frightening. Where was her voice coming from? "Can you hear me?" There it was again. Focusing on her, Weiss turned her head towards Ruby's voice, searching for the woman through her blurred vision.

"Alright, tell me what you see." Ruby softly whispered to her, but Weiss was still unable to see her. She barely recognized the shapes and colors in the direction of her voice, she couldn't make them out. "Anything?"

"N-nothing. . ." Weiss cautiously reached her hand out to the disfigured colors in front of her, her girlfriend was right next to her, she could hear her, but where was she? "Ruby. . ." She called out weakly. She felt a calloused hand grab her own and her mind detected the touch as Ruby's. Lunging forward, she wrapped her arms around the woman.

"You're okay…" Ruby repeated soothingly, gently lifting Weiss to her feet and prompting the older woman to slowly but surely return to her senses. "Come on, Snowpea, let's get you cleaned up…"

Weiss huffed a light, yet strained laugh, her frame still quivering. "Don't… don't call-" she trailed off and lifted her head to look at Ruby, sighing in relief when her vision cleared to see warm silver eyes staring back at her. "Okay…"

Ruby moved from Weiss' arms slowly, her fingers just barely running over the length of Weiss' arm. As Ruby left, the older woman staggered back into the wall with a soft thump, curling around herself again and tucking her knees to her chest. She listened to Ruby walk in the next room, focusing on the familiar sounds of her girlfriend living to calm her frazzled nerves. She heard the water begin running and her mind immediately focused on the sound.

Soon, Ruby's rough, but familiar, hands eased back into hers and Weiss lifted her head. Her eyes met with a gentle pair of silver.

"Hey, I have the shower ready for you." Ruby's voice was soft, but cautious with the hint of playfulness. "Boilin' hot, just like ya like it."

Weiss choked out a soft laugh and stumbled to her feet, glancing over her shoulder when Ruby's hand grasped her waist to steady her. Having regained her balance, she allowed herself to be led into the small, already steamy room.

Breathing in the humid air, Weiss let out a sigh of content. She was moved when Ruby's hand gently pressed on her shoulder, guiding her to the toilet and seating her down. "I'm gonna undress you now, okay?" Ruby whispered and Weiss nodded her consent, trying to focus on Ruby's touch as she disrobed her.

He wasn't here.

After a moment, a gentle hand came to grasp Weiss' chin and she tilted her gaze upwards. "I'll be in the other room if ya need me." Ruby smiled, leaning into place a sweet kiss to the bridge of Weiss' nose. "Don't miss me too much, Snowpea."

Weiss scoffed at the pet name and averted her eyes as a light blush crept to her cheeks. Hearing Ruby's footsteps moving away from her, panic rolled through her and Weiss' hand shot out to grab her girlfriend's wrist, her breaths uneven. "No!" Ruby looked back at her. "Don't leave..." Her voice was soft and shaky, dread rising again at the thought of Ruby leaving. "You can… You can shower with me."

Ruby's eyes widened in surprise, but she made no further movements to exit the room. "I don't know if that's the best idea Weiss." She murmured carefully, "I don't wanna hurt you-"

She cut her off. "No, not like that." Weiss gave Ruby's wrist a gentle tug and switched to the hem of her shirt as Ruby came closer. "I just don't want to be alone…" Weiss confessed. 'I don't want to be without you. I'm… Scared.'

Uncertainty flashed through Ruby's eyes and the brunette gave a slow nod, carefully stepping away from Weiss' grip and undressing herself.

Tearing her eyes away from her girlfriend, Weiss unsteadily made her way towards Ruby's shower, using the wall to keep herself upright. Her nerves were still jumpy and her legs felt like they'd give out beneath her at any given moment.

Electricity coursed through her as familiar hands came to rest on her waist, easing her into the shower as if she would lose her balance. The near scalding water instantly poured down upon her, Weiss flinched in surprise and leaned against the shower wall. She heard Ruby join her, but she kept her eyes fixed on the floor of the shower.

Slowly, Weiss opened her eyes and her breath caught in her throat, her heartbeat increased.

Ruby stood in front of her, one muscular arm over her chest, and her eyes downcast. Weiss' hands twitched at her side as she took in the full view of her beautiful girlfriend. She'd certainly both gained muscle and put on some weight since the party...

Ruby's broad shoulders shifted under her stare, and silver eyes met blue, she softened. Weiss wasn't sure if she was even breathing anymore, her eyes wide and watching Ruby move towards her. Her gaze instantly flicked down to the woman's hips and her breath caught again. A careful, gentle hand cupped her cheek and Weiss glanced up to see mischief sparkling in her girlfriend's eyes.

"Keep looking at me like that, Snowpea, and I might have t'a back on my decision to not leave you a quiverin' mess in my bed." Ruby purred.

Warmth spread through Weiss' chest, wondering if the offer was really such a bad idea. Dark hair and darkened eyes flickered through her head, and she shivered beneath the hot water. She shook her head.

No Ruby was right, now was not the time, she should keep her eyes to herself.

Movement caught her attention, Ruby reached over her to grab the familiar blue bottle of shampoo. "Ocean breeze?" She asked playfully.

"S-sure."

After six months of dating, Ruby had made sure that Weiss had her own shower products available for the nights she didn't go home. Weiss was eternally grateful to have such a courteous soulmate.

Soaking her long, thick hair, Weiss moved out of the spray to allow Ruby into the heated water. She smiled when Ruby grimaced in the hot water, dunking her head into the spray and out again. "You tryna burn me alive?" Weiss just chuckled. The brunette grinned from under soaked dark hair and reached to grab Weiss' shampoo from the older woman's hands. She gestured for Weiss to turn around, to which she obliged.

Weiss braced herself against the wall as Ruby lathered the soapy foam into her hair, Weiss sighed into the touch, letting Ruby tilt her head this way, and that, making sure she doesn't miss a single inch of silver hair.

With her eyes closed, Weiss is led back into the spray, then back out for the conditioner, before moving on to washing her body. Mesmerized, Weiss watched as Ruby lathered up Weiss' lufa with her rose scented body wash and moved to let Weiss brace herself against the shower wall again. Ruby offered her a small smile and gently began lathering at her shoulders, rubbing soothing circles into her skin and down her arms.

"Harder." The older woman said softly, and Ruby paused briefly. Noticing this, Weiss tilted her head back to look at the taller girl, stifling a quiet giggle as Ruby's tongue darted out to lick her lips, reeling herself back to her senses. She moved to scrub Weiss's sides, careful not to tickle her, then shifted down her legs.

Weiss stayed quiet and watched as Ruby rinsed her off, taking note of the hunger hidden behind her focused silver eyes. Suddenly the lufa dropped and Ruby leaned against Weiss's body, pushing her further into the shower wall and peppering her shoulders with soft, gentle kisses.

Weiss released a gasp of surprise, but allowed the woman to shower her with affection. "Is this okay?" Ruby murmured into her shoulder, her breath warm against Weiss' bare skin. Her voice held a twinge of worry. Weiss nodded and the brunette continued.

Ruby placed a few more sweet kisses to her shoulders before moving down her spine Ruby settled on her knees and kissed the arch of her spine, pulling Weiss into a warm hug.

"You're okay."

The statement sounded to Weiss like it was more for Ruby herself, than for Weiss.


Weiss was easily convinced by her girlfriend to have a 'day out'; although, she'd kept insisting that Weiss should wear something simple, and that's where the two of them learned that their definitions of 'simple' varied greatly.

Weiss eventually compromised and ended up wearing an old sleepwear sweatshirt of Ruby's, snow boots, and a pair of leggings, while Ruby wore a plain black, long-sleeved T-shirt, her black leather jacket and blue jeans.

They were very underdressed for a stroll out in the cold of Solitas... But Ruby repeatedly told her that they would be fine, Weiss decided it was best to trust her judgement.

Within a few minutes, she'd be led out to the parking lot, her hands grasping at her sides as an attempt to shield her from the freezing air. Ruby guided her to the truck and opened the door for her, waiting until the woman was inside before shutting the door and jogging around to the other side.

"Where are we going?" Weiss asked as Ruby climbed in and quickly shut the truck door, reaching over and sticking the keys in the ignition and turning on the heat. The brunette released a sigh as heat began to flow through the truck freely, "You said that we were going out for some fresh air?"

Ruby chuckled and started the truck, the vehicle whirred to life and mischievous silver eyes glanced over to Weiss, who felt a chill of apprehension race up her spine. "Oh we are," Ruby smiled, putting the truck in reverse and backing out of the lot, "we're just gonna have some fun. Y'know, to get your mind off things."

"Ruby, I'm not having sex in a truck." Weiss deadpanned.

Instantly, Ruby let out a bark of loud laughter and she heaved an amused sigh, leaning into the steering wheel as her giggles died down. She shook her head. "No, no, Weiss, that ain't the plan. Though, I'm not against it." The brunette rolled her eyes when Weiss glared at her in response.

Weiss frowned in perplexity, "Okay…" She muttered as they pulled out into the road, Ruby's eyes now focused solely on the pavement in front of her. "So, where're we heading?" A wide grin crossed Ruby's face and Weiss let out a groan of realization. "Where are we going?" She repeated, correcting herself and ignoring the blush of embarrassment rising to her cheeks.

"Well first," Ruby started carefully, her expression going blank, "we're headin' to see Penny so she'll stop callin' me every ten minutes."

Weiss sat up quickly, a worried look crossed her eyes. "Um, why?"

Ruby's eyes flickered over to her briefly, her brows furrowing. "I dunno," she answered, watching her girlfriend out of the corner of her eye as the woman cautiously sat back, "she just called me, many, many, many times today, I finally answered and said she didn't say much, so I'm gonna check on her.." Ruby paused for a long moment, while Weiss' attention focused on the scenery outside. "Between you and me, I think she just got lonely because she's home alone all the time."

Everything looked familiar… Subconsciously, she followed the route and frowned as the image of a two-story, pristine white house flooded her mind.

"Do you not like Penny?" Ruby's voice snapped her back to her senses.

The addressed woman sighed nervously and shook her head, avoiding eye contact with the brunette. "Ruby, it's not that I don't like her…" Ruby's eyes glanced down to Weiss' hands wringing together anxiously. "It's just… She's not exactly the best at keeping secrets."

Ruby bit her lip and caution rose up inside the heiress. "Well," Ruby replied, her voice high-pitched, "I kinda already told 'er?"

A deafening silence filled the truck.

Weiss leaned back against the seats, feeling defeat wash over her. "Oh, we're doomed." She muttered under her breath, her voice barely louder than a whisper. "You know she works with the General, who in turn is affiliated with my Father, right?"

Ruby nodded. "And your Father is overseas, plus the General don't really seem like a bad guy…" She trailed off, her jaw clenching in doubt. "Okay, maybe a lil' paranoid, but still."

Weiss groaned, "She could tell someone she works with, who would report it to the General, and somehow it will get out. I bet she already told her father-"

"Weiss," Ruby was quick to cut her off, not even taking the chance to look at the woman, "I know you're worried, but trust me, Penny knows how critical it could be. I wouldn't tell 'er if I didn't think she could keep it a secret." She turned off into an unfamiliar driveway, Weiss looked up and around her. Panic surged through her like a wildfire. She knew this place… "She's also kinda the reason I even met you in the first place, so I owe it to her."

Weiss' eyes fixed on a familiar, pearly white building in front of her. Oh no.

"Why are we at my sister's house?" Weiss asked frantically, trying to sink down into the seat as an attempt to hide herself. Ruby locked the truck in park, watching the woman with a puzzled expression. "She has surveillance cameras that can be easily accessed by the General!"

Ruby blinked in disbelief. "... Your sister has a house?"

Weiss glared at her girlfriend, sliding herself into the floorboards to hide from the camera facing the red truck. "Of course she does!" Weiss snapped, "Where do you think she stays when she's off duty?!"

The other woman quirked a brow questioningly, staring at Weiss as she huddled against the dash behind her. "At work." Ruby answered, a small smirk of amusement creeping to her lips. "Also, you're like… So small."

Horror flickered through Weiss' eyes and humiliation brewed inside of her chest. "Ruby!" She shrieked, her face burning as the younger woman started giggling.

Ruby sighed and Weiss felt her heart flutter at the sight of complete, total content on the brunette's face. Ruby cracked a smile. "You look like an upset puppy who just got their food bowl taken away."

Again with the puppy thing…

"A'ight," Ruby offered Weiss a soft, understanding smile, "I'll head in and see if I can find anything for you to wear so you aren't recognized…" With a soft click, she pushed the truck door open and slid out of the seat, looking back to Weiss before shutting the door-

"Greetings!" A familiar voice says loudly from outside, followed by an ear-piercing shriek; Weiss' head snapped up instantly and she proceeded to clamber over the seats to check on her girlfriend. "Are you alright?" She paused upon seeing Penny standing next to the window, wearing a puzzled expression and her eyes downcast.

Weiss let out a sigh of relief, fixing her fingers around the handle and easing the door open, ignoring the cold chill that assaulted her and looking at the woman below her.

Silver eyes glanced up to her from the snow-covered ground. "I'm fine…" Ruby murmured, understanding Weiss' silent question. Ruby looked back to Penny and climbed to her feet, "You just scared me."

Suddenly, green eyes and auburn hair filled Weiss' line of view. "Hello, Weiss!" Weiss snapped back instantly, blinking as an attempt to comprehend what she'd seen. "You two are behaving very strangely." Penny commented.

"Someone's gotta get a bell for this girl…" Ruby muttered, "Penny, could you find somethin' Weiss can wear?"

Penny frowned and stepped to where she could thoroughly examine the heiress. Weiss felt mortification prick at her chest, wondering if she would notice that the sweatshirt belonged to Ruby. Penny turned back to Ruby. "But, she is clothed."

Weiss released a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

Ruby shook her head, "Penny, this is her sister's house. They have security cameras. People, like the General and her Father, can't see us together."

The redhead stared at Ruby for a long moment, "I do not understand… Are you and Weiss not courting?"

"Penny." Ruby muttered blankly while walking away. "Help me find somethin' for her to wear. Now."

Penny followed in suit, it was as if a light bulb appeared over her head. "Oh I see. She does not own clothes of her own!"

Every nerve in Weiss' body recoiled, her blood ran cold and she swore her soul left her. She groaned and sat back, shutting the door in the process and leaning against Ruby's seat. Sure, she loved Ruby, but sometimes she wondered whether or not the mortification was justified.

Weiss' eyes flickered down and she frowned upon noticing a white shape behind Ruby's steering wheel, she rose up with one hand to look at the picture resting against the dash. Her heart did a flip in her chest and an involuntary smile crept to her lips, she carefully reached out to brush her fingers across the image.

It was a photograph Ruby had taken while they'd been out for their second date; an ice skating rink with a buffet attached. Ruby had pulled her aside just before they'd left to eat and withdrew her phone with a happy, yet questioning look in eyes. The grin that crossed her face when Weiss accepted was unforgettable.

Weiss' arms were comfortably draped across Ruby's shoulders, her head tucked under the woman's chin and Ruby's arm wrapped around her waist. Ruby's face was one of pure delight and joy, while Weiss wore a warm, lopsided smile.

Weiss chuckled softly, remembering the jealousy written across her girlfriend's face when she'd found out that Neptune would be joining them so that nobody grew suspicious, insisting that he had no problem with his 'girlfriend' hanging out with her friends with him around.

Blue eyes glanced up to the torn edge of the picture and Weiss snickered in amusement, one hand covering her mouth as an attempt to conceal her smile. The area Neptune had occupied in the background of the picture was torn out.

A knock came at the window and her attention snapped towards Ruby standing outside the door. The brunette offered a tiny smile and held up a navy blue cloak and hoodie.

Weiss smiled back and opened the door ajar slightly, quickly taking the cloth from her girlfriend. "Thank you…" Without another word, she shut the door and sat up to slip it on and across her shoulders, she flipped the hood up to cover her face and tucked and spare strands of white hair back. "That will do…" She murmured, examining herself in the rearview mirror.

A flash of red splattered through her reflection and Weiss jerked back, her eyes widening as dull yellow eyes stared back at her. 'No!' A voice screamed at her. Weiss shook her head, glancing downwards as her vision cleared and her chest heaved with adrenaline, she looked up to the mirror again to see her own reflection.

She was safe.

Noticing something move in the front of the truck, her attention flickered towards a familiar woman outside the building, waiting for her.

Weiss drew in a breath and opened the door to get out.


If anybody has song suggestions, lemme know