GMG, ready to roll! I'm here with chapter 5 of Stealth, Speed, Observance. I was planning on waiting to write this, but I have a few reviews and PM's asking for Blake. I will add Blake and try to set that in motion on this chapter.

Disclaimer: -_- Don't own RWBY.

Emerald clicked her scroll shut and sighed. She had planned to hang out with Ruby, but Cinder needed work done for their plan. "Alright, Mercury, let's get this over with."

The other teen chuckled. "Why? Do you have a hot date or something?"

"Yes, I do, actually, and I'd appreciate getting this out of the way." Emerald said, glaring at him.

Mercury just grinned. "Who is this date of yours? Maybe I know him."

The thief pinched the bridge of her knows and sighed. "First, you don't know them. Second, her, not him. My date is a woman."

"Can I tag along on your date?"

Emerald slapped him across the back of his head. "Not a chance, you perv."

"Ow..." He whined, clutching where he had been smacked. "Why do you have to be so mean?"

She glanced at him. "Because you're an annoying pervert who enjoys wasting my time." She started dragging him along. "Now, let's go!"

XXXGMGXXX

Team RWBY had been curious as to why Ozpin called them to his office, but didn't argue and came straight away. So here they were, watching him sipping from his ever ready mug. "Do you know why I have brought you here?"

Ruby shook her head. "No sir. We have no idea." An excited look appeared on her face. "Are we getting a mission?!"

"In a way of speaking," started Ozpin. "Yes, but not for the normal reasons."

Weiss spoke up, a little miffed. "What's so different?"

The headmaster sighed and motioned towards his tablet. "We have noticed a pattern of sorts in the places Roman has been targeting." He twined his fingers together. "As such, we have a slight idea of where next he will strike. Given the frequency and locations, we believe he aims to target the newly re-opened dust shop, From Dust Till Dawn." He nodded to Ruby. "I believe your leader is acquainted with the place."

Blake eyed Ozpin. "And what does this have to do with us?"

"Experience in the area." He replied. "Ruby has fought in that particular setting, so has an advantage, no matter how slight, that the other teams lack. She also can better prepare a way to prevent his escape given the same reasons."

Yang grinned. "So you want us to catch him if he shows up. You can count on us."

Ozpin smiled. "That's why I chose you."

XXXGMGXXX

As Team RWBY approached the shop, one of the windows exploded out with a loud bang as a man leaped out. He had dark hair and something similar to Ember Celica on his ankles.

He turned, glancing through the window. "Come on, Emerald. We have to get going."

A blade to the throat made him freeze. Blake was glaring at the man. "You aren't going anywhere."

Before Mercury could respond, Emerald strolled out the door. Waving at the old shop keeper. "Sorry, old man. My annoying partner wasn't supposed to kick your window out. We were only trying to get the dust." She looked at her partner. "And you got caught, dumbass."

"Emmy?" The thief turned to see Ruby.

"Hey, Rubes." She waved. "Sorry to disturb you four, but, eh, it's my job."

Mercury narrowed his eyes at her. "Make some friends, Emmy?"

Emerald growled. "Don't call me that."

"The girl in the hood just did. I don't see you getting mad at her." He pointed out.

Emerald sighed. "She's a friend."

"And I'm not?"

The thief shook her head. "I had the unfortunate luck of being your partner."

Weiss interjected. "Would someone explain what's going on? Why is nobody mad at Emerald? I though we could trust her."

Ruby glanced at her partner. "I do trust her." She smiled at Emerald. "She told Yang and I about this. We agreed not to let it in get in the way. We do what we do, she does what she does. No ill feelings towards whoever wins."

Weiss gaped. "But she's a criminal."

Blake quirked a brow. "I used to be one too. It's not always a choice."

Mercury chuckled. "As much as this entertains me, I'd like to finish my job." He nailed Blake with his elbow, knocking her back, before planting a kick to her hip and sending her flying.

Weiss intercepted Emerald, parrying a strike and sending a stab at the thief. "I won't let you get away with this."

Emerald ducked under a swipe and brought her own blades up, causing Weiss to dodge. "Try your best then."

Ruby and Yang were fighting Mercury, the former helping her sister counter their opponent's kicks. Mercury handled their assault rather well, blocking, dodging, and countering with ease.

Blake had joined Weiss, Emerald having to struggle to block both women. Three blades against two, leaving her at a disadvantage. Her only fortune being that both of her opponents wielded their weapons with one hand per blade.

Yang blocked a hook aimed to her temple, only to be kneed in the stomach and knocked away, leaving Ruby alone against Mercury. Ruby struggled because he was inside her guard. She couldn't use Crescent Rose and had to put it away, trying to defend herself in close combat. Given that she lacked the advantage, she was taking a beating. A beeping from her scroll pointed out that her aura was near depleted, but pulled her attention from the fight and allowing Mercury an opening. He planted a kick to her stomach and everyone froze when a shot rang out.

Ruby was sent tumbling, rolling across the ground as she screamed in pain. A pool of blood formed below her and she fainted. Yang rushed to her sister's side, trying to stop the bleeding.

Emerald pulled away from her fight, grabbing Mercury by the neck and shoving him. "Get back to the base. I'll hold them off, but you need to go. If you get caught, they won't go easy on you."

"What about you?" He asked. "You were part of this."

"Yes, I was." She growled. "But not the potential murder. Now, GO!" He fled and she rushed over to Ruby. "Someone call for help!"

XXXGMGXXX

Ruby was lying on a hospital bed, a swathe of bandages around her stomach and the girl herself in a induced sleep. On either side of the bed she had visitors. Blake and Yang on one side and Emerald on the other. Weiss had gone to report what happened to Ozpin.

Emerald brushed Ruby's bangs aside, tracing the younger girl's cheek. "You'll be okay, Ruby. I'm sure of it."

Opposite her, Yang was trying to talk to Blake. "Why'd you tag along? You could've gone with Weiss to help report."

Blake grumbled. "I don't see you questioning Emerald."

Yang shrugged. "She cares for my sister. Hell, they're dating."

Blake frowned. "She obviously doesn't care enough."

Emerald heard that one. "Don't imply that I do not care. She is very precious to me." Red eyes reflected her anger. She truly cared for the girl and no one could say otherwise.

Amber eyes narrowed in anger. "This is your fault. If you and Mercury weren't committing crimes, we wouldn't be here."

"My fault?! Oh that's rich." The thief snapped. "It's Mercury who's to blame. Why are you so pissed at me?"

Blake stood with a growl. "Because I love her!" Emerald froze. "She was one of the first people to accept my faunus nature. She doesn't hate me like so many humans would. She's so sweet and you are directly involved with a person who brought her harm."

Yang stood and walked to the door. "I'm not need here. You two settle this yourselves." And she left.

Emerald leaned back in her chair and exhaled. "I love her too. I was ready to kill Mercury, but she needed help."

"Why are you two arguing?" They looked to see Ruby awake. "Please, don't be mad at her Blake. It's not we fault."

Blake nodded. "Fine, but how much did you hear."

Ruby looked down. "Enough to know how you feel, Blake."

The faunus slumped in her chair. "I'm sorry. I didn't want you to find out. You didn't need to know and you have her." She pointed at Emerald. "I didn't have a chance anyways."

Emerald smiled softly. "We could share." Two heads snapped around to look at her. "You like Ruby. I like her. If we all get along, who says we can't share?"

Blake nodded and looked at her leader. "Ruby?"

"Um..."

End...

Cliff hanger! Yeah, sue me. You probably already know what's gonna happen. So, I can't wait till Thursday for a reason all RWBY fans know. I also managed to get a pic of Yang saying "you activated my trap card." Adieu for now.