They were recieving missions in two weeks. Partner missions, which meant they were testing the new pairs. Each team of two would be sent to check out a different grimm sighting, and it would often be a few days of travel through wild terrain before finding anything. That is, assuming there was still anything to find. More days still, as they would then have to backtrack to an extraction zone so they could return to Beacon. First year teams never got assigned partner missions, as they needed more time to bond before having a complete trust in each other.

And now they had to build whatever trust was lacking between them and their new partner in two weeks.

Blake was conflicted.

On one hand, she knew she could trust her team. Yang especially, as they had been partners for a year and a half. Weiss was more questionable, but she trusted her to do what she thought was best, at the least. On the other hand, she trusted Ruby too much. Or so she thought, her sense of trust hadn't been normal in a long time. Maybe it was the innocence she often expressed, or how kind she was to her team. Either way, trust in Ruby didn't come with a second thought.

And that was terrifying.

It wasn't an active decision, it was simply a lack of doubt. It was different when they first met, when Ruby was too young and missing two years of education. She could doubt the girl then, easily. However Ruby was now seventeen, the same age they were at the start. Blake was certain of herself then, how could she doubt Ruby now? She had proven herself capable time and time again. But then that was just her ability, did she really know Ruby well enough to trust her?

No, she didn't. They had almost never spent time together outside of the team, let alone taken the time to talk. They were friends, teammates, but not close. Not partners, not really.

And yet, her subconscious had decided to give Ruby her trust.

Not that she had anything against her leader, of course. Ruby was making to be an exceptional huntress, and didn't hesitate to take control when need. She was considerate and intelligent. She was reliable an- oh.

She supposed she was just answering her own question.

Blake showed up to the training room late. Not by much, five minutes at most. Apparently it was enough that Ruby was deep into a lecture. Though she wasn't the type of leader to do so often, she had spent enough time with Weiss to pick up on how to berate her teammates when needed. They must have really crossed a line this time, Ruby was going red in the face and her voice was carrying across the room, drawing the attention of the other students that hadn't already left.

" -and it's ridiculous! You are nineteen and acting like complete children! You should be thankful that Goodwitch doesn't know about this! Do you even know what you're supposed to be doing today?"

Weiss managed to reply, but she was even paler than usual. "Training for our next assignment."

"Oh, so you have been paying attention. I couldn't tell!" Ruby's voice was the firmest she had ever heard it, wide-eyed expressions on her teammates they were feeling similar.

"R-Ruby-" Yang tried, but was cut off.

"No! This is done." Ruby pulled out her scroll and started typing into it quickly. She gave them a quick glance before looking down to it again. "I'm pulling you from your mission."

Weiss let out an indignant cry, "You can't do that!"

"I can." Ruby stated. "It is part of my job to decide whether my team is ready or not. You two clearly aren't, so you are benched from all fieldwork until you start working as partners."

"Wha- Bu- What?" Yang had clearly lost the ability to make sentences.

"There is nothing more to say. Blake and I will spend the next two weeks training for our mission, you two will learn to love each other and stay out of our way. Understood?"

It was like their brains had completely vacated their skulls. They just stood their, unresponsive, occasionally blinking.

"Am I understood?"

Blake never though she'd see Yang Xiao-Long and Weiss Schnee scamper away in fear, but that's exactly what they did.

It was fantastic.

They shouted out a "Yes ma'am!" and ran out of the room like they were on fire. Ruby stood in the same place until they were gone, before turning to Blake. Her expression had softened, the anger no longer necessary. The onlookers that had gathered quickly started turning away, as if they hadn't just been playing audience. Ruby let out a sigh, but it didn't seem to help. Her body was tensed up, like a tightly coiled spring.

She wouldn't be able to relax on her own.

Blake acted quickly, taking Ruby's shoulders and gently massaging them. The younger girl leaned in to the touch, resting her head on Blake's collarbone. She needed time to calm down before anything else.

After a few moments like that, Ruby tilted her head a bit. "I don't like doing that."

"I know. You did what you had to."

Ruby took a deep breath, exhaled, and gently push off Blake. She rubbed her eyes before saying anything. "Thanks, Blake. I needed that."

Her partner gave a small smile. "No problem. Do you still want to train today?"

Ruby smiled at that. "Yeah. But, uh... after this, do you wanna go into Vale with me?"

Blake was half way through a good book, but how could she say no? "Sure. Need something specific?"

"Yep. Ordered a new scope a while ago and it finally arrived. Gotta keep my sweetheart looking good."

Vale was pleasantly quiet that day. Not many people were out, and those that were seemed content to keep to themselves. Ruby's order took no time to pick up at all. Unsurprisingly, she ordered new parts whenever she could, and that meant she was no stranger to the local shops. On the way back to the Beacon airships, Blake suddenly realized she was alone. Turning around, she spotted Ruby staring into the window of a small restaurant.

"Hungry?" She asked, walking up next to her partner. The cloaked girl blushed and dragged a hand through her hair.

"Sorry about that, Blake. I guess we should hurry back."

Blake looked through the glass for a moment, observing the dishes getting served. Her stomach growled, and it was her turn to blush. Ruby giggled at her.

"So, I think we should probably eat here." Blake said. Ruby, in her defense, looked embarrassed when she replied.

"I uh... am actually kinda broke right now."

Blake stared at her for just long enough to make her squirm before smirking, "It's on me."

"Huh? Are you sure? You don't need to..."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm sure, Ruby. Don't worry about it."

Dinner went well, the food was good and the company excellent. Ruby was quiet, but not subdued. She had got on to Blake's wavelength faster than Yang did, keeping a calm but friendly atmosphere. It was just getting dark when they left, and their conversation didn't end until they returned to Beacon.

Even then, it only ended because they stepped into some sort of bizarre alternate reality.

They entered their dorm quietly, and found themselves listening to a soft talk in hushed tones. Weiss was working on a history report way before it was due, and Yang was leaning over her shoulder. They were whispering to each other, seemingly getting along quite well.

To the shock of everyone ever.

Ruby cleared her throat, announcing their arrival. The two shot apart and spun around, then Weiss walked up to her leader.

"Ruby, you were right. Yang and I have been acting inappropriately, and that is not acceptable."

Yang stepped up, bumping Weiss on the shoulder a bit. "Yeah. Sorry about that, Rubes. But we're gonna be awesome together from now on!"

Weiss' eye twitched, but she held back any comments on that. "...Yes, that is one way of putting it. We will be ready in time for the mission."

Ruby smiled, "I'm sure you will be, but I need to clear you a days before. You have 11 days, starting tomorrow. Think you can handle it?"

Weiss and Yang looked at each other, then back. "Of course we can."