"Thank you for choosing Vale Air, where there is only one method of travel. The safe one!" The woman's voice over the intercom spoke in a blithesome tone, so cheery and sweet that Jaune wondered if her teeth were rotting. "Please enter Vale Air's facility in an orderly fashion. A trampled person is a negative person!" Though considering how overly happy the voice was, it probably belonged to an A.I. so cavities were something it would never get.

For once, Jaune hated the bustling activity of Vale. It usually helped calm him to know that there was life all around him. He wouldn't go so far as to say he felt safe in the crowd, as anyone could be a potential threat. But at least he didn't feel completely alone.

Now he couldn't help, but glare as yet another person bumped shoulders with him to walk inside the entrance to the airport. Even though it was late at night and so damn cold his fingers felt like they would fall off, there seemed to be no discernible end to the mass of bodies that entered and vacated. All he wanted right now was to be alone with Winter, but it seemed the masses wouldn't give him that.

If Jaune were a betting man, he'd gamble away his entire bank account that at least half of the people here were flying to Vacuo, where there wasn't a word for the concept of "cold."

"Will you be okay going back to Atlas?" He idly wondered why Winter didn't want to go to the kingdom where she could enjoy the warmth of the sun and wear a bikini. And wasn't that image a pleasant thought?

"I'll be well, Jaune. What concerns me is your performance without my guidance. You always seem to make critical errors whenever I'm not looking."

"I resent that." He smiled despite the sharp response. "You don't have to go back, you know. You can stay at the apartment while I'm gone."

"It's not as if there is much for me to do in Vale," she replied easily. "And since you won't tell me how long you'll be on this mission for, I'd rather not waste my military leave on the possibility that you'll be back."

Jaune rolled his eyes but didn't argue any further. Winter was right, of course. He wouldn't be back before her month-long furlough. His mission in Mistral could take a year at a minimum. Not only did he have to find the enemy without a single lead, but he also had to evaluate whether Haven's headmistress could be trusted. That meant watching over Winter would be impossible. Not that she needs my protection. He felt the need to remind himself.

Winter, who still wore his jacket over her shoulders was the most dangerous woman on Remnant. And that was not a biased opinion. It was the truth.

The winds of Vale brushed against him, biting at his exposed skin like ants made of ice. The beautiful woman in front of him shifted, wrapping the jacket around her more tightly so as not to suffer a similar cold fate. And while there was not an ample view of her body, it didn't matter to him. His attention was on her flushed face, down to pink lips that intoxicated him with every kiss. She looked at him with her light blue eyes, a faint smile in place as she watched him watch her.

"See something that interests you?"

"Not at all," he lied.

"So you always say when we're not in bed." She walked toward him, hands still gripping the black jacket. Their eyes were on each other again, and like every other time, he marveled at how pretty she was. But sometimes when he looked at her eyes, they became a familiar green, like shining emeralds that were too precious to touch. Other times they became a bright silver that always seemed to inspire hope within him.

But like every dream, they would vanish, and reality would rear its ugly head.

Blue eyes drifted shut as shame filled him. How could he have thought such a thing? He had no right to look at the woman in front of him after such a thought. He may have loved Pyrrha, and he still loved Ruby to this day, but Winter was the one by his side and who gave him comfort. She was the warm body that helped him forget about how shitty his life had become.

While he was sure that Winter saw him in the same light, a form of stress relief to bury away her pain, Jaune refused to believe that she would ever be disappointed at the sight of him. They were partners, friends. And he would not change it for the world. His eyes opened once more.

They widened when her lips found his. Gloved hands held his cheeks, drawing him closer.

It still amazed him that no matter how many times she kissed him, it was always a marvel at how smooth her lips were. Her name was a disservice to how warm she was. From one kiss the world around him no longer felt cold. He wanted to keep his eyes open like every other time they kissed, but it didn't seem possible. They closed of their own accord.

An image of Ruby popped into his mind.

Winter gasped as he tore his lips from hers, and the hands over his cheeks were pushed aside as well. She looked at him, doleful eyes and glistening lips. He held her wrists again, trying his damnedest to make sure his rough hands were gentle in his hold.

"Did I hurt you?"

"I am not injured," she said softly.

Not in the physical sense perhaps. And it seemed the people around them knew that as well. Their eyes were on him as they walked by, most just spectating but he could feel the glares from others. They were well deserved.

With injuries to the body, aura, and by extension his semblance could heal it. But wounds to the heart were beyond him.

He couldn't love Winter. And she couldn't feel that way for him it was impossible. His body was hers, as hers belonged to him. But there was only one woman who had his heart. And she was still in her long slumber.

"This can't be any more than what it is," he remembered saying to her after their first night together. And she agreed. What they had was purely physical, emotions were never supposed to get involved. Winter knew that, so it must have been a lapse of judgment on her part. Perhaps the cold was getting to her worse than he thought. It had to be that.

Winter couldn't love someone as undeserving as him.

Jaune let go of the Specialist and rubbed the back of his head while he laughed nervously to feign embarrassment. "Sorry, it's just..."

"You don't have to say it," Her words came like the tolling of a bell, and the scene before him seemed to flicker. Winter looked helpless as she stood before him while hugging herself against the wind. His heart skipped a beat when he stared at her flushed face.

Her flushed face didn't make his heart skip a beat; it instead composed a rapidly paced symphony. She looked helpless as she stood before him while hugging herself, accentuating her tempting cleavage that her black dress scarcely covered. Blue eyes roved over those valleys, for a second longer than he perhaps should have, before drifting up the dangerously alluring skin, up to an elegant and smooth neck. Then straight into hungry light blue eyes, that was solely on him.

"You don't have to say it," her words came like the tolling of a bell, one that rang sorrowful notes.

She sauntered forward, somehow making it look more elegant than what should be possible for an intoxicated woman. He retreated as she approached, the distance between them never closing until his back hit a wall.

Jaune could have moved to the side. It would have been easy to outmaneuver the inebriated woman. Regardless if she was a Specialist or not.

But he no longer moved away as she approached. It was as if the wall behind him was a good enough excuse for the hormones he thought discarded to give in to the temptation of her alluring body. So when she held his cheeks, he did not resist. And while he did not meet her pink lips halfway, he did not move away.

He wondered what the taste of those lips would be. Would they be as hot as her body that was flushed against him? Jaune wanted nay needed to know. Just one taste and he would be satisfied.

"You don't have to love me," Winter whispered. The burning scent of alcohol wafted into his nostrils. Those light blue eyes of hers that seemed to yearn for pleasure from him of all people became lidded. "Just be mine for tonight."

He sighed, his breath mingling with hers. His eyes closed.

How could he say no to this?

They were outside again. The dress that let her body flare his hormones to life now gone, replaced by her uniform that was engulfed by his black jacket. The dark fabric made him see that dress again for a second before his eyes corrected the image.

"There are people around." He quickly explained. "It's embarrassing, is all."

It relieved him to see those pretty eyes of hers look up at him once again. Even more so to find that she seemed to have a look of understanding. When she smiled, he almost fell apart.

"Forgive me. I guess it is improper to display affection in public."

It was perfectly fine, Jaune wanted to say. He didn't only because he was still reeling from the warmth of her kiss. Her heat lingered still, and he almost touched his lips. "You should leave. Who knows how much longer they'll keep your ship docked before they start yelling for you."

The smile she gave was soft and beautiful. But it looked like there was very little joy in the act. "Will I see you soon?"

No.

"Yeah," he lied. "I'll be around before you know I'm gone."

It was better this way. To lie that was. When Winter found out, then she could finally move on to someone much more deserving of her time. She'll find someone who would appreciate her, who could love her with every fiber of their being. She'll find a man who wouldn't think of another woman when looking into those gorgeous eyes of hers. His nails bit into the skin of his palms.

It would be for the best.

She removed the jacket from her shoulders and put it forward in an offering. Jaune's hands were on hers, as he nudged the coat to her chest. "Keep it," he said softly. "To remember me by." She did nothing as he placed the jacket on her shoulders, like how he did earlier tonight at the cemetery. Without even realizing, his chin came to rest on her shoulder.

"I thought you didn't want displays of affection in front of people." A sigh sounded in his ear, disappointed. "Or is it only when I do it?"

Jaune said nothing. Even though there were a million things he wanted to say to dissuade her from thinking that, he couldn't because there wasn't anything that could be said to justify his hypocrisy. Instead, he let her go, and she faced him once again. Those soft sil-... blue eyes looked to him for answers.

He had none.

"See ya later,"

She sighed, her breath crystallized before them, becoming a cloud of mist that was whisked away.

"Until we meet again, Jaune."

She walked away and didn't turn back once when she entered the airport. That was good. It made it easier to stop himself from going after her. Seeing her face again would have made letting her leave far too difficult for him.

The image of Winter in the arms of another man struck him. The thought felt like a chasm opening up deep within him.

Jaune took a step forward. The muscles of his left leg tensed, ready to follow his right. He took one step back in place.

They were partners, friends. But they could never be lovers. Jaune had to let her go. It was for the best... it was the right call, he knew that. He kept telling himself that. He wouldn't change what he had with Winter for the world.

So why didn't it feel right to let her go?

/-/

General Ironwood sighed for what must have felt like the hundredth time today. With a practiced flourish, he wrote his signature down and moved on to another document. Paperwork was a harrowing constant, one that only became worse as he gained rank throughout his career. Being higher in the military hierarchy meant more of people's problems became his problems.

There was never a day without a problem.

And how could he be so foolish as to forget the paperwork that came with being a headmaster and a council member? Impossible to do that when two other stacks of papers were waiting to be marked by his sloppy handwriting.

The price one pays to hold seats of power; Ironwood frowned when he picked up his mug, realizing that it was far too light to have any coffee inside the porcelain. The general glared at the work before him again.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in." He said dryly.

To Ironwood's surprise, it was his most trusted Specialist who stepped into the office as requested, closing the door behind her. She had a tray in hand, atop which lay a mug and thermos.

"Winter," Ironwood said, setting a page down to focus on something that wasn't paperwork. As always she wore her uniform cleanly without any noticeable wrinkles. He eyed the dark blue brooch which replaced the red one only a year ago. It was a gift from someone she did not name, but it wasn't difficult to guess who it was.

Here he was ignoring his job to inspect jewelry. I can't get distracted now; he examined the pile that contained dozens upon dozens of request forms. They ranged from an inquiry of additional supplies from captains and majors for their platoons, a budget increase of R&D by Doctor Polendina, troop allocation to assist with the construction of Thermopylae, the new city expansion. The last one brought a frown upon his features.

Thermopylae was a mountain that was recently discovered to have natural hot springs above a large dust depot that would hopefully attract tourists to increase the kingdom's revenue, and to amass even more dust. It was a joint effort between the Atlas military and the SDC to make the first giant leap of expanding the borders of Atlas. Twenty thousand souls were to colonize the area, with thirty percent of the population consisting of Atlas military and SDC personnel. The rest were civilians who would aid in the city's construction.

Ironwood gave it his approval, despite the dread he felt at the possibility of Atlas facing an event like Mountain Glenn, and the fact that he was against the council's decision of such a massive expansion in the first place. While he may hold two seats, his vote had still been in the minority.

There was more to the council's decision than creating a vacation spot in Atlas, and to acquire more dust (though having both would be a huge boon). There was a legitimate reason for their choice of that Ironwood couldn't dismiss. With the ever-increasing population rate, it was only a matter of time before there were too many mouths to feed, and not enough space to accommodate those said mouths. Ironwood couldn't fault the reason, but what the council proposed was a death sentence to the people who would colonize this new territory.

Whether the expansion ended in success or failure, didn't matter. The outcome would be the same; there would be fewer people in the city.

While sending troops could give the civilians a better chance of survival if the Grimm were to attack, it would also mean the deaths of his soldiers. There were only bad options available to the general. And no matter what choice he made it would still hurt.

"Perhaps you need a distraction, sir. You look stressed." The pouring of steaming coffee accompanied Winter's voice.

Yes. Maybe Ironwood did need a distraction. And any distraction was a good one right now. "I was under the impression that you went on leave. What brings you back after only two days?"

The ex-heiress shrugged, the motion seeming elegant with how she raised one shoulder and let it fall. "I already did everything I wanted in Vale," left unspoken was what she did. Or in this case, who she did like some of his students at the academy would say. Ironwood sighed for what must have felt like the hundredth and one time.

Damn Ozpin and his excessive need to know everything about the people around him; what Jaune Arc and Winter did in their spare time was not information that should be found out and then shared. For someone who lived thousands of years, his old friend had to be the most socially insensitive man that Ironwood knew.

"Regardless, you should be enjoying more of your vacation. And thank you," he said, accepting the mug of freshly poured coffee. He stared into the black liquid, noting it to be a brew of Atlas Black, no sugar or milk. The general let out a pleasant sigh as he took a drink. "While I appreciate this, I find it a waste of Atlas resources to take you away from leave to give me my caffeine fix."

"The way I see it, sir. If my being here can alleviate just a small amount of your stress then that is an acceptable reason to cut my leave short. Besides, I rather enjoy my job." The corners of her mouth turned up by a fraction. "But if there is an assignment that needs the expert touch of a Specialist, I am more than ready to complete it."

"Not the point, Winter." Ironwood rubbed his temple while nursing his coffee with his robotic hand. He soon adopted a smile though, pleased to note the built-up stress from the day was beginning to melt away. "While I am thankful for your commitment, there aren't any assignments to take. And while I would trust you to complete a mission by yourself, I doubt Ozpin would be happy if you went on your own."

Ironwood mentally cursed when he saw the small frown that came from Winter. It was not aimed at him but toward the mentioned name. He smiled at the thought of a different name, though.

"And I'm certain Jaune would be worried if he learned that you went on a mission without him."

She seemed startled at the mention of Arc. Shock turned to an embarrassed expression in a second.

"I don't know about that," she looked to the side, perhaps in some vain attempt to let her bangs hide how her face darkened. Ironwood made it a point not to mention that he noticed. Instead, he took another sip of his coffee, both to enjoy the bitter taste and to hide his smile.

"Any updates on our enemy's location, sir?" Winter asked. Her face was back to its pale complexion.

It was an attempt to change the topic and a sore one at that. The fight against Salem was something Winter focused far too much on ever since she learned the truth. And Ironwood realized the irony that it came from him of all people.

He had sacrificed more than his body in this conflict. They all had. Ironwood considered it a lesson as much as a tragedy. It helped him learn to enjoy the smaller things in life, and that he couldn't dedicate his entire life to fighting. Like a camera flash, there was a memory of Glynda, much younger and happier smiling.

Smiling at him...

"I know you want to find Salem," he said, ignoring the past for that way led to regrets. "But I haven't been able to locate a hint of her whereabouts. For all we know, Ozpin's paranoia is just working in overdrive, and she may very well be dead. Miss Rose did use her eyes against Salem in our last battle."

Winter's reaction was complicated at the mention of Miss Rose. Her eyes flashed, her lips tugged down, but it all lasted for barely a second, gone and replaced with an easy smile not moments later.

Gone, but not missed. Jaune Arc was an impressive man to be able to have a woman like Winter be jealous of a comatose girl.

"You may be right, sir. But until we can confirm she is truly dead, I believe it is imperative that we do not let our guards down." Ironwood couldn't fault her logic there. Unlike the statue that the Grimm dragon became at the battle of Beacon, they never found Salem's body after that blinding display of silver light.

"I agree," he downed the rest of his coffee, setting the mug down with a content sigh as his eyes drifted shut. He heard pouring, the scent of a still much-needed caffeine boost filling his senses once again. He opened his eyes and accepted the newly poured coffee with a strained smile. "The Grimm are still active, albeit at numbers lower in recorded history." It was admittedly a rather small margin, roughly a three percent decrease in Grimm activity. But any reduction in Grimm presence was a victory in the eyes of the people. But to those who knew the truth?

"Whether it's because Salem is gone," he continued. " Or because she is gathering her Grimm it doesn't change the fact that we've made little progress on finding the truth. There isn't much for you to do, Winter. So why not enjoy the rest of your leave?"

If he was anyone else in Winter's presence, Ironwood was sure that he would be the target of her infamous glare. She nodded instead and gave a crisp salute.

"Permission to leave, sir?"

"Granted," he went back to his paperwork and already dreaded the fact that he sent away his distraction from work. It also nagged him that Winter cut her military leave so short. But what could he do to change her mind? Ironwood glanced up, seeing his young friend about to open the door to leave. "I was told that Mr. Arc went on an assignment."

Winter stopped in place. She didn't respond, probably to listen intently on what his next words would be if they were about Arc. Only her late younger sister could have garnered such a reaction from Ironwood's best Specialist. He supposed it was further proof that Winter finally had her eyes on someone.

"I'm surprised you didn't decide to use up your vacation time to be with him. I doubt accompanying Arc on one of his assignments would have stopped you."

She spun at that, her cheeks flushed with color as she stammered out protests. From how Arc was just a 'boob' and a 'good for nothing flirt' to 'why would I want to take the time to be with him?!'.

Ironwood supposed there was some benefit to knowing their little secret if he could get such a reaction from her. He chuckled, which somehow got Winter to settle down before she popped a blood vessel. "While I'm sure spending time with Arc is less than ideal,"

"Agreed! Why would anyone want to spend time with Ja- Arc?! His only redeeming quality is that he didn't take after Qrow's habit of excessive drinking."

"Agreed," he teased, repeating what she said before. Admittedly, Ironwood took great satisfaction in his subordinate's barrage of insults for the man she detested. Was this what being a teasing father was like when he knew their daughter had an obvious crush on a boy?

"I mean, how ill-mannered can one individual be?" She continued with a huff, an action that was rare to see from the proud woman. "He would sooner try flirting with a random woman than focus on the mission."

"A real degenerate,"

"And he has no appreciation for how patient I am with him." She glowered, glaring ice daggers at his paperwork. He wished it was in the literal sense.

"Thankfully he'll be in Haven for quite some time which means you won't have to go on missions with him for a long time."

That got a different reaction. Instead of more scathing words for Arc, or false satisfaction that she wouldn't have to be near him any longer, she was silent. It was as if the words he spoke were the same he gave to the families of the soldiers who died in service.

"Did Ozpin say how long he would be gone?" She asked after a few more seconds of silence.

"He didn't say," Ironwood began. "But considering his new position as a member of Haven's teaching staff, I assume his stay there may encompass a couple of years."

"I see." Winter's brows drew down.

"You have to understand," he started, offering the young woman he saw as his own child a reassuring smile. "Ever since Leo's betrayal came to light, Ozpin has been desperately trying to find someone he can fully trust to handle operations in Mistral. For now, that means Arc. But rest assured!" He added with raised volume, just a dynamic higher to stop Winter from interrupting. "From what Oz has said, Headmistress Theodora seems like a prime candidate to be that new agent for us. But first Jaune must determine if she is someone we can trust."

"He won't be there forever." He finished, still smiling.

Winter was one who always hid her feelings well. Always the strict disciplinarian, like a younger Glynda if he had to make a comparison. Complaints from the younger soldiers were proof that it was an accurate comparison.

But those walls seemed like they could crumble at any moment. Winter's usual stoic expression was on the verge of twisting to one of anger. Perhaps it was because Jaune wasn't the one to tell her? It seems you still act like a scared teenager when it comes to matters of the heart, Mr. Arc.

Ironwood cleared his throat and gave a reassuring smile when Winter looked to him again. "For whatever reason, this reminds me of the fact that you only used two days of your military leave. You still have twenty-eight days, but what could you possibly do with all that time? Sure, Vacuo has nice resorts, but I'd only stay for a week at most. Mistral on the other hand..."

Ironwood took pleasure in the way Winter's eyes widened as her mouth fell open. The boiling anger on display a few moments ago began to simmer.

"If you ask me, I think Mistral is a wonderful place to go for vacation. Plenty of things to do there to fill the time. Museums, plays, musicals. And someone of your station wouldn't even be fazed by the underbelly of the kingdom." If it wasn't obvious now, then his offer was as subtle as a Goliath in an open field. "What do you think? Does going to Mistral sound like something you would like to do?"

It was clear that she wanted to say 'yes' to his proposition. Despite how tall she was, Winter seemed more like a little girl trying to decide which doll she wanted from the toy store. Though in this scenario the pink pony was a trip to Mistral and the gray pony was to stay in Atlas and continue the status quo. Ironwood hoped that the pink pony looked more appealing to take.

It was a sad day when General James Ironwood started using stuffed ponies as metaphors.

"And if you enjoy your time there so much that leaving seems impossible," his smile became one of melancholy. "Then perhaps you will consider resigning."

"Sir?!"

"I'm not making this suggestion because of a lack in performance." He reassured. "I do this because you have served your kingdom loyally for years now, Winter. And while your service has not reached the length of many senior officers, it cannot be denied that you have sacrificed just as much, if nor more than them." He sighed, feeling the stress build up again. In truth, he would rather keep her as a Specialist to have someone in Atlas he could trust implicitly. But what he wanted did not matter.

"You and I will still keep in touch of course. We'll be fighting Salem till the very end whether or not you remain a Specialist. But why not become a huntress, and gain at least a tiny amount of freedom?" There was so much weight on her shoulders, more than any single individual should have to bear. If he could lighten the load just a little, then he would be happy. Just like you do for me all the time, he thought with a tiny smile.

"I'm afraid I must decline both your recommendations."

What?

It seemed it wasn't just Ironwood who was surprised. Winter looked stunned at what she said but took on a stoic face a moment later. Her lips formed a thin line. But Ironwood could easily see her trembling lips.

"While I appreciate the offer and your kind words. The truth is, Atlas is my home, and this military is my family."

"What about Arc?"

"What about him?" Ironwood rolled his eyes at the half-baked counter.

"It's not a well-kept secret of what you and he have."

To Winter's credit, she was composed when he called her out. She smiled even. Perhaps glad that he knew, that it was proof that who she cared about was something that wasn't judged. But what happiness he could glean from her was accompanied by an abyss of despair that anyone could see.

Love was one of the few things that never got any easier. Ironwood knew that well despite what others may think, and how his body was as much machine as flesh. People felt he lacked a heart, but he would like to believe that they were wrong. He did have a heart — one that loved and grieved like any other. His proof was whenever he thought of Glynda.

Like right now at this very second, he felt his chest ache at the thought of her. Somehow his cold robotic hand could still feel the warmth of holding her. It was both a sad, but satisfying image. It was a reminder that he still had a heart; that he was still human.

"Winter," he sighed. "I was once in the same position you were in." He somehow found it easy to smile as he thought of Glynda. "I was married to the military. I believed any day I was away from work was a missed opportunity to make the world a better place. Even when I found someone who could find it in their heart to care about a worthless man such as me," his hand, the human one clenched the center of his chest.

"I ignored her." His hold tightened. "Ignored what I could have had."

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Don't apologize," he laughed. He wasn't sure why he certainly didn't find anything funny. "The mistake was mine, not yours."

She said nothing in response. What could she even say? Try and apologize again, and offer pity? Winter no doubt knew that it was something he didn't need or want. Ironwood made his bed, and he was going to lay in it.

"Sometimes I imagine her being with me still," he continued and linked his hands on the table. "I imagine little faces looking up at me as I hold her hand. It's silly,"

"It's not!" She protested with pink-tinged cheeks. Winter's outburst was short-lived, as was the color on her face. She linked her hands behind her back and stood at attention. It was an attempt to regain her composure by falling in a familiar stance, something he learned from his many years of knowing her.

Maybe Winter was right in saying that his fantasy wasn't silly. But Ironwood could confidently confirm that it only led to regretting his decisions all the more.

"It's as if I'm looking into a mirror." His gaze never strayed from Winter.

The woman before him remained silent, her eyes now focused on the ground, avoiding his gaze. That was good. It meant that she was seriously thinking about her next choice. Whatever it was she decided, he would support her, not only as a general but as a father.

"My place is here," she said with closed eyes.

Ironwood smiled not out of cheer, but resignation.

"Very well," he replied. "And what of your military leave?"

She shook her head.

"Permission to leave, sir?" She asked for the second time.

"Granted." And this time he didn't say anything to stop Winter from leaving. He couldn't force her to go on military leave, or resign. She was a grown woman who could make her own decisions.

He just hoped Winter wouldn't regret her choice.

/-/

The first thing Winter did when she entered the bedroom of her apartment was to fall head first into her mattress, her cheek digging into the pillow after landing. It was an undignified act that she only let Jaune see her do. He was the only person she showed things to about herself.

It was a tiring day. Not difficult, just long with very little to do. An uneventful day in the Atlas Military was as taxing as a busy day, but for different reasons. A day that consisted of work could be stressful on the mind and body, but it let the advancement of time feel much faster. But a day that lacked tasks made for a long day that seemingly had no end in sight.

The start of her day was perhaps the most frustrating. Like a leech, the events in Ironwood's office drained her of the necessary energy to push through the dull day.

Winter did not regret her decision to stay in the military. It was the career path that let her escape the suffocating life in the Schnee manor. She was able to establish order, and peace in Atlas as a Specialist. And now that she was within Ozpin's inner circle, it was the entirety of Remnant that she was tasked to protect.

But why did she say no to that trip? Surely a month to ease the ever building stress of this silent conflict was acceptable. It would have been the perfect opportunity to see Jaune. Four weeks in Mistral with him was a vacation that she would have loved more than any of the trips she took part in with her family. Winter wanted to leave now. The fact that it was close to midnight wouldn't have stopped her.

So what was the harm in going? Winter couldn't say. No. No, she did know why.

Jaune wouldn't want to be with her. At least, not in the way she wanted to be with him.

Winter touched the pillow that laid beside her head. It was his pillow whenever they spent a night here together after a mission in Atlas, or when he came to visit on the rare occasion. Rare is putting it lightly.

He almost never came to see her of his own volition. Her partner was only around during missions, and a day or two after. He did visit on her last two birthdays, but it was towards the end of the night. She could still remember her heart skipping a beat when Jaune had brought a tiny black velvet box last year.

And how her heart broke when it opened to reveal a blue brooch.

Winter brought the pillow closer to her bosom, clutching it as if it was Jaune in her bed. "I'm such a fool."

She had made sure to smile when Jaune replaced the red jewel she usually wore for the one that matched his eyes. Winter also made sure not to hint at her disappointment when they made love that night. And she also made sure to smile when he left early morning the next day.

Winter was even able to hide the ache she felt when Jaune pushed her away.

Hiding how she honestly felt was one of the many skills her father taught. It was unfitting for a Schnee to let their feelings be known. "Don't let our enemies know what we're against or what we're for, Winter. Fools who wear their emotions on their sleeves are bound to fail." She hated her time at the Schnee manor, but for once she was glad to have those lessons though Winter had severe doubts that father would ever expect her to use that lesson on matters of the heart.

Whether Jaune realized it or not, it pained her that the bedroom was the only place where they could be intimate. They would never kiss in public, nor did he let her embrace him. There were only whispers of affection, and even that was rare and far between.

Winter ignored her despair. What they had wasn't ideal. She would go further to admit that she hated only being friends with... benefits. Her face twisted in irritation at the term. It was good enough for her two years ago, but then her foolish heart had to ruin everything.

Falling in love was never part of the plan.

It seemed Jaune had the same plan though unlike her, it didn't seem like his heart would be swayed. It frustrated her to no end.

But she did nothing to change the status quo. Because as long as she was with Jaune, it didn't matter to her whether there was a ring on her finger. Nor did it matter if the man she took to bed would watch the recording of a dead girl when Winter was in earshot. She didn't even care that his heart belonged to a woman in a deep slumber. She would shoulder it all if it meant being with him.

Because she had fallen in love with him.

"Such a fool indeed..."

/-/

The door of the Bullhead slowly groaned open, revealing the tall structures of Haven Academy to his eyes. It was beautiful though it could never compare to Beacon. Jaune realized the bias in his comparison, but he couldn't care less.

"But this is home now," Jaune mumbled to himself. He didn't think this place could ever replace Beacon, but Haven did not have to. He was on a mission, not on leave like Winter. He idly wondered what she was doing now. Maybe home in bed, letting her body take some much-deserved rest? Perhaps she was at a bar, cutting loose for once. If so, it wouldn't surprise him if all the men there were drooling at the sight of her. And why wouldn't they? Most women would kill to look half as gorgeous as Winter.

Staring was all they better be doing...

"Does the sight of my school upset you that much?" A chipper female voice spoke up. Quite literally too, as he noticed a figure atop the stairs that led to the heart of the campus.

"Of course not," he said. "My apologies, if I offended you."

"Not a problem." Was her smooth response, as she waltzed down, low-heels clicking on concrete. "And there is nothing for me to be offended by."

Jaune stopped in place, surprised that she was walking down to meet him.

That and the fact that he couldn't help but stare at the woman's creamy legs, which soon disappeared into the four high-cut leg slits of her black dress that hugged her body. The dark fabric lacked any pattern or markings, making it easier to follow the contours of her svelte figure. Unlike those smooth legs of hers, she hid her arms in long sleeves. Finally, his eyes met hers, a pair of green eyes that complimented her pretty face that short raven hair framed, which several of its strands hung between her eyes.

"Jaune Arc," he offered as he brought a hand out to shake.

Pastel green eyes looked him up and down, the corners of smooth lips rose.

"I know." She took his hand in hers, letting him feel callouses that spoke of an arduous and successful huntress career. Considering her position it didn't surprise him to see this beauty have such rough hands.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, headmistress Theodora."

She gave a dainty smile that would have made most of the men and women on Remnant blush.

"The pleasure is all mine."

And there is chapter 2! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.

A few announcements about moving forward. The first thing is about this story. Before I chose to limit this to only 10 chapters at most, but as I was planning ahead, I realized that there was so much I wanted to do with this. So expect this story to be a long one potentially.

The second announcement is about future stories. I already have story ideas in the making. What they are about will be on my profile at a later date. If you want an idea of when that will be it will most likely be before I release chapter three of 'Choice,' so once you read that go to my profile to see what I have planned.

The third thing I'd like to say is that I want to clarify my goal of making a p4treon. This will not happen for quite some time as I am still uncertain whether to make one. I am unsure at this exact moment if I am reliable enough to be trusted with writing paid content. When I feel confident enough to ask for your hard earned money to provide well-written stories, then I will create a p4treon. When that day comes though, I want to make it clear that whether or not you decide to donate will not stop me from writing. Content by me will be free for everyone, but to those who wish to endorse me, there will, of course, be benefits. What that will entail is still up in the air, but I'll think of something cool.

On to the last piece of news I have for you all.

Next Chapter: December 15th

...

Dear God what have I promised?!