Hey guys! Real quick, just want to give a huge Thank you to all my readers and followers of this story. Thank you for all the sweet reviews and messages, you are truly wonderful! I'm so sorry I took so long on this chap. I'm so slow! Please enjoy!

-WhiteTigerLily

As soon as the yacht came into port Ruby instantly put her guard up. They were in one of the most dangerous places in all of Remnant. Mistral. Compared from where they came from, the trading town that they were in yesterday was a lavish kingdom.

Mistral was humid and muggy. Filled with swamps and low Canopies and dark surroundings. The homes were unclean and the people there were just as filthy. Curious stares watched on the land and intrigued smiles crossed their faces. The yacht reached the poorly developed docks near the muddy town.

Ruby's hand began to cramp with nerves, she wanted to rub it but didn't want to let any person there know that she was on edge. She ignored the sharp pains in her palm and counted in her head to calm down. Ruby grabbed her bag and walked up the bank from the docks. She kicked at wet sand and waited for Adam to finish talking to the crew and Emerald.

After a few minutes Adam ran up the shore and ushered for Ruby to follow. They walked into the dingy town that seemed to be rotting away from the humid weather. When an old man lounged at Ruby; Adam grasped her hand and pulled her close by him. The old man licked his lips at her and she cringed disgusted.

"I don't leave my side understand." Adam ordered quietly and Ruby swallowed the lump in her throat. Was Mistral really that bad? Ruby remembered Qrow's words and did what Adam said. They walked up to a building with 'SALOON' written on the front but before they could enter inside, the doors flew open.

"Get your nasty jack ass out of my bar, you pigs nipple!" A women's voice roared and a man flew out in front of them mid air. Ruby rose her brows out how far the man flew across the yard into the middle of the muddy road. Ruby swung her head back to the open doors and there stood a beautiful ginger haired women, she was an older women who swayed her hips to her side and placed a hand on her head. She peered down to the man groaning and standing back to his feet angry.

"You think your such a sly wench don't ya?" He spat.

"Sly is a perfect word for me isn't it?" She flipped her hair to the side and revealed fox ears. "Sly like a fox."

He cracked his neck and reached behind his back gripping two lassos. He whipped them in the air in each hand and they snapped into double edged blades. The women huffed irritably and slowly walked down the stairs of the saloon to the road.

"Oh honey, you sure you want to do this?" She asked and grabbed from the holster on her thigh a dagger gun and clicked it off safety. The man spat at her feet and she sighed. "What a child." She took the first shot and he dodged the bullet and flung his sword into the air, directing the blade it at her face. She bent her body back as it grazed inches above her and flipped over the man while still shooting but he was quick to get out of the line of fire.

She jumped again but this time into a round house switching her gun to a dagger but he ducked down with ease falling to the ground and swiping his leg around toward hers. She saw it coming and jumped while swirling to his side. Just as he went to stand she threw a punch. Ruby gasped when suddenly multiple versions of the women surrounded the man. He swiped his weapons at the duplicates to find they were mirages.

Confused he turned in circles frantically until one hit him square in the jaw and like a blur, the original was in front of him and she headbutt into him. He lost his balance and fell to ground loosing his blades. He went to grab them but froze when she kicked them away with her boot. He looked up into the barrel of her gun and rose his hands in the air in defeat.

"Get out of here." She kicked his side and he slumped to his weapon, picking it up and walking away. She started back up the steps until she met the eyes of Adam. "Addie!?" She grabbed Adam picking him up into a bear hug and Ruby could of sworn she heard bones crack.

"Please don't call me that." Adam whimpered which Ruby couldn't help but laugh. She placed him back down and rubbed his arms.

"My gracious you have gotten so tall?! It has been to long." She quipped and glanced down at Ruby. "And you baby look just like your mama. Little Ruby all grown up." The women strained to cry but manged to hold back tears.

"Do we know each other?" Ruby asked.

"I know you baby girl but you may not remember me. The last time I saw you, you were just coming out of diapers. That was the same day I met Addie."

"Adam." Adam reminded. Ruby put tongue in cheek and glared at him.

"But you call me Rose...Addie." Adam opened and then closed his mouth. Ruby was intrigued to see he had nothing say.

"Oh sorry, sorry. Adam. But ya'know Hank liked that little nick name for ya too." The women mentioned and Adam adjusted his shades un-amused.

"Hank?" Ruby asked very amused.

"Rose this is Trish. She was a member on Hanks team." Adam answered.

"Oh my goodness! You must be hungry come on in ill set a table in the kitchen." They followed Trish through the building and it was full of excitement and dancing and laughter. The people there from all over remnant were so animated and loud that Ruby felt the silly that hung in the foggy air. The first good thing that Mistral had shown to Ruby so far.

"It's so lively in here." Ruby exclaimed noticing that Trish and Hank had the same taste in jobs. They made their way to the kitchen doors and a small table sat in the middle. Two other people were in the room cooking and taking orders. Trish offered some drinks and offered them to sit down, Adam and Ruby settled into their seats adjusting the hair to be closer to the table. Trish scrunched her nose and tapped her head looking at Ruby.

"Let me see that pretty face of yours honey." Trish directed and took a seat herself.

Ruby gazed at the brim of her cap and went to take it off but Adam beat her to it and gently took the base cap off Ruby's head and hung on the back of her chair. Ruby grinned at his little gesture.

"Ah so much better." She complimented and Ruby's cheeks flushed a settle pink. Trish gave a small grin and told her staff to bring out some food.

"So What team were you on?" Ruby was so curious. She fought like pro earlier and in a way she was star struck.

"That's right. Addie mentioned that huh? I was Team HART. If you don't know i'm the T."

"What? Team HART? That was the team my mom's team always partnered up with."

"That's right."

"How in the world did you end up here?"

"My team...We all went our separate ways. Trust me Hank begged me not to move back here but this outlawed town is where my roots are and its home even though its considered the unlikely places to live." She paused and placed her arms on the table. "Mistral is very misunderstood in my opinion because I believe you can still find beauty in the middle of the chaos here."

"So you knew my mom?"

"Yes..Do you remember when Adam came to see your Mom for the first time?"

"Um," She glanced at Adam sadly. "No." Adam noticed her long sad gaze and rose a brow. When Ruby saw that she looked to her lap. Trish let out a quiet giggle and and leaned back in her chair.

"Well then i'll tell you,"

How ever before she could begin Adam interjected.

"Trish we don't have time for stories. I need what we came for." Trish's easy expression turned to a glum distasteful tone.

"Ah...So the Witch did send you..." She rolled her eyes. Ruby knew that they had to pass through the border and get to Menagerie but didn't know there was another motive to be in Mistral other than getting supplies and passing the border. Ruby focused back on the discussion that quickly became cold and defensive.

"I need it Trish." Adam pleaded. Ruby looked to him. Need what?"

"No. I won't give it to you Adam."

"Then give it to Ruby."

"No." Trish said again.

"But its her's!" Ruby jumped when Adam hit the table with fist.

"I don't care."

"What's mine? What are you talking about?!" Ruby stood in her chair and looked at Adam. "You told me you would not lie to me." He didn't say anything. Trish sighed and scratched at her scalp.

"It's a key. Summer gave it to me, like she knew the future. It's to pass into the chamber that holds the ember. True if you hold the key, any normal person could enter the chamber but only someone who has the bloodline can hold the ember."

"So that's what it is."

"That why Adam needs it so badly...So to please his mistress." When Trish said that something tugged in Ruby heart. It hurt. Why did she care?

"She has no hold on me...At least anymore." Adam confirmed and Ruby felt her mussels tense less. What strange feeling this was? What is it exactly she wondered.

"I find that hard to believe I-"

"Trish...Could you please give me the key." Ruby asked as Trish looked upon her confused.

"What?"

"I'm the one that needs it the most right now...If I don't get the Ember, something horrible is going to happen to people I really care about. Adam," She looks behind her and smiles. "He may not admit it but I feel like he wants that for me too. I know the consequences but I have to take that them. I would do anything to keep the ones I love safe." She looked back to Trish hoping that she had convinced her.

"I see," Trish pondered on what she said and sighed. "Summer forgive me." She reached behind her neck and hidden under her shirt was necklace that held a wooden totem. She let it slide off the chain into her hand. She gave it one last look before placing in Ruby's palm.

"Thank you." Ruby clenched it in her hand.

"Your Mama would have done the same thing." She glared at Adam behind her and pointed a finger at him" Summer would be disappointed in you." Adam folded his arms sadly.

"I know." he admitted and Trish pulled him into a hug.

"I just want you to be happy Adam and safe. Have a life and move on."

"Move on?" Adam questioned and Trish flicked his ear.

"You know exactly what I mean." She looked to Ruby who was now wondering what Adam was moving on from. She hated all of these questions. "Promise me that you both will be careful." Adam and Ruby nodded Trish let out a breath of concern.

After that was settled they ate, laughed and talked about the good old days. Ruby learned that Summer was Adam's favorite person in the world and liked her more than his own father, Qrow. How he would only visit Ruby's family once in a blue moon because he lived in Beacon. Ruby even found out that her mother would take special trips to train Adam on a regular basis. Lucky him but Ruby really couldn't complain, Qrow her "uncle" would her and Yang. Ruby kept looking at Adam to see any expression but he never took off those stupid sunglasses. Trish noticed.

"Oh Ruby did you know that Adam has the most prettiest e-"

"Trish." Adam blurted out and Trish lifted her hands in the air. Ruby groaned. What?!

"Guess I gotta zip my beak because he's so self conscious of himself."

"Okay we done lets go Rose." Adam stood up from the table. "Emerald is probably done with getting supplies." Trish perked her ears in his direction and clicked her tongue.

"Your leaving?"

"Yeah we have to get Menagerie."

"I would hope air?"

"By boat actually." Ruby answered and Trish rose up quickly.

"Oh no no no. No. We have been having terrible storms the past few days and since we don't the C.C.T.S. we have no way of knowing what the conditions are like. There may not be any clouds in the sky right now but how the weather has been I am certain there will be a storm."

"We'll be fine."

"Tell that to the idiots who were killed yesterday "We will make it back before the storm." They said and now they are sharing a grave in Mistral cemetery." Adam growled annoyed.

"Trish shut up. Rose wait here." He kicked the door open and marched out of the kitchen and soon out of the saloon. Ruby blinked confused and Trish cackled behind her.

"Interesting he never listens to me I wonder what changed his mind." She asked . Ruby shrugged grabbing her cap hanging on the chair. She was glad she remembered it. Trish grabbed the dirty plates from the table but before leaving she poked the hat in her hand.

"Ya'know Your Mama gave him that right." Ruby eyes widened. Her eyes traveled from Trish to the cap. She grazed it with her fingers and caressed the hat to her chest. Is that why she gave the hat to her when they first met? Her heart fluttered, there was that feeling again except Ruby was not at all worried about it. She was happy. She loved hearing about her mom. All the stories. Ruby frowned sadly and her eyes stung.

"Mom." Ruby wondered...Could maybe Trish know...What happened.

After a few minutes Trish closed the saloon and walked back to the Kitchen. Ruby got up from the table and walked to the sink to help Trish with the dishes She gladly gave Ruby a plate to dry and they contiuned with the dishes. Ruby was going to ask. She had too.

"Trish...Could I ask you something?..Its really important." Ruby was careful to ask and Trish hummed in reply, curious to what she was going to say. Ruby took in a breath before starting again. "Do you know how my mom died?" Trish stopped and looked at Ruby then to the sink. She slowly lifted her hands out of the water and grabbed her towel and wiped her hands.

"Ruby. I have asked myself that quite a few times as well." Trish was sad she couldn't give Ruby the answer she was looking for and tossed the towel to her side.

"Are you sure?" Ruby tried again...Hoping.

"The only one who knows is the person that brought her body back to your house, Baby." Trish patted Ruby's shoulder and Ruby started to cry.

"I miss her." Trish pulled her into a hug and Ruby cried.

Adam jogged back up to the Saloon and went to open the Kitchen doors until,

"Trish...Could I ask you something?..Its really important." He paused and listened to Ruby. What is she going ask? He wondered. He waited and what he heard next took Adam by surprise. "Do you know how my mom died?" Adam walked to the wall beside the door and leaned against it. He shook his head and waited for response from Trish.

"Ruby. I have asked myself that quite a few times as well." Trish sounded sad. "The only one who knows is the person that brought her body back to your house, Baby."

"I miss her." Once he heard Ruby cry Adam felt tears sting at his own eyes and his heart throbbed painfully in his chest. He was hurting, especially when he knew that he was that person to bring back Summer's dead body back to the porch of her home. He had to tell her now...But when? How?

After awhile Ruby had stopped crying and Trish made her a cup of tea. They talked about Summer a little more and it made Ruby feel better. She appreciated Trish's patience and time because she needed it. Trish reminded her of Yang. That big sister quality that she wanted for the past year. Suddenly Adam entered the room.

"Hey Addie. Took you long enough." Ruby teased and Adam gave a small grin. Ruby cocked her head. He didn't fight back with her. Is he okay? And over Addie?! And Trish noticed...Again.

"I told Emerald to be ready in the morning-"

"Well you two must be tired...So you an stay here. There is spare bedroom upstairs. Follow me." Trish cut off Adam and before him and Ruby could retaliate she grabbed their bags and ushered them to follow. They did, reluctantly and Trish shown them to the room. "Here you are." It was great..except their was one bed...so. Ruby turned to tell Trish but- "Goodnight kids sleep tight." She shut off the light and shut the door.

Adam walked to the light switch and turned the light back on. He turned and Ruby looked at the bed. Adam laughed and pulled out a long piece of cloth from his pocket and turned away from Ruby to take his glasses off and wrapped it around his head. Ruby rubbed her arms.

"Why are you laughing." Ruby questioned and Adam tied the cloth in the back and folded his arms.

"Trish thinks that you and me are.." He stopped pressing his lips together not really knowing what to say but Ruby understood immediately.

"Oh. Yeah that..That is funny. So..Funny." Ruby's cheeks flushed red and she laughed strangely and then came to an awkward pause. Adam sighed. He turned off the light and took of his shirt. Ruby turned her head away. Thank goodness it was dark because she was now red tomato.

"Goodnight." He got in the bed and pulled up the covers.

"Goodnigh- Wait what?" Ruby asked confused, pointing at him.

"What?"

"Oh no."

"No..What?"

"You are on the floor." Ruby demanded and Adam glanced to the ground and made a wincing sound.

"Yeah no. That's not gonna happen."

Ruby whined when he said that.

"I am not sleeping wit- next to you."

"Might be for the best. I am told I swoon alot and that i'm a frisky cuddlier." Ruby grimaced. She didn't know what made her more uncomfortable, the fact that he cuddles in his sleep or that he had a murmured tone when he said it just then. "Well there is room if you want to take that chance." Adam offered.

"No, Adam." She squeaked.

"I see...Well enjoy the floor."

Ruby blinked annoyed. She tried adjusting her body to a more comfortable position but it didn't help. It was a floor. A hard cold floor. It sucked. She sat up and looked to the bed. Adam was asleep.

She pouted. When he said he tends to spoon with out meaning too it made her cringe. The thought of is his hands around her made her cringe and blush. It was a strange feeling to have. She sighed. Whatever.

She stood up slowly and tiptoed to the other side of the bed. She looked to the empty space that seemed to be reserved for her. She sat lightly, maybe she could sneak under the covers without him realizing. She tucked herself in and manged to get the covers over her. She grinned when she successfully did that.

Ruby snuggled into the blanket and lay her head on the pillow and closed her eyes. For a few minutes everything was fine...Until Adam gravitated toward her and wrapped his arms around her tummy. She sucked in a breath and glanced over her shoulder at him. He was still asleep. I guess what he said about cuddling without knowing it was true. His breath tickled her neck and when she tried taking his arms off her, he held tighter and snuggled his chin in the gap of her neck and shoulder.

He mumbled and took a deep breath. Ruby watched his gaped mouth mutter words that weren't understandable. A grin spread across her face and she rolled her eyes. Though she didn't like this one bit...It was okay. Ruby placed her arms over his. She felt his heart beat on her shoulder and the strength of his arms adjusting around her. He was warm and safe, she had never been held like this nor had she ever felt the tenderness of a man's embrace. This wasn't so bad, so she closed her eyes and went to sleep in the arms of Adam.

Aloha! I hope you all like my story! I just wanted to let you guys know, I write stories rather quickly sometimes and for fun! Yes I am an amateur writer. Writing is a hobby " So if there are a few grammatical mistakes I apologize :/ I'll try to find time to edit my stories when I can ;) Again thank you so much for reading!

-WhiteTigerLily