Author's Notes:

Oh I'm so thankful for the reviews and your support readers. It's so great to have your ideas well received and I have so many more to develop. I went to Anime Expo in Los Angeles and after seeing so many great cosplayers, seeing the staff of Fate/Zero and roaming artist alley I am SO into the writing mood. Being away from my laptop gave me 2 weeks of delightful dreams which I stored until I could jot them all done on paper…a week later haha…hope you enjoy!

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(Archer's POV)

"And you're here again why?"

I just have to ask because Lancer sitting on the sofa, drinking a cup of tea across from Rin is an odd scenario. I'm currently leaning against the wall with my arms crossed and I'd like to think that I don't look put out with him being here, but I'll admit I trust this guy as far as I can throw him.

"Because we're partners now," remarks Lancer, sipping his tea nonchalantly before regarding Rin, "I shall deliver the news to my master that you are quite a hospitable woman."

Rin smiles in amusement, glancing past her tea cup and taking in the scene before her while Lancer helps himself to a crumpet.

And more compliments…

"Did you make these?" I watch as Rin smirks and confirms that she did. Lancer whistles and then turns his attention back to me, "You're a lucky bastard, you know that?"

I really do not wish to have this conversation. I resist the urge to pinch the bridge of my nose. Rin looks thoroughly pleased now.

"Yeah, Archer; do you know that?"

And so it begins…

"You really do have a wonderful woman; I can tell," Lancer voices his opinion on the matter, "She can cook, that's always a plus; she's feisty, she actually seems to give a damn about your position as her servant and she's attractive. You should keep her."

With his two cents given he helps himself to another crumpet and chomps thoughtfully. Rin leans back comfortably, feeling quite content with the situation.

"I should have drawn you in this war," she thinks aloud.

This hits a nerve, yet her eyes lock with mine and I can see her playfulness coming through as she shrugs, sounding rather dramatic.

"Ah, to be appreciated and to have an obedient servant; isn't that what a master truly seeks?"

Lancer smiles coyly and points his thumb at Rin, facing me and exclaiming, "I like her!"

And I'd like for you to leave.

In fact it was Rin's idea to invite him for tea after the discussion of tactics had concluded. As I see it, Lancer will be available to Rin in order to collect and relay information on Caster's growing strength. Rin in return made Lancer aware of Caster's plan to use her as a vessel to summon the grail. At which the chivalrous side of Lancer jumped at an opportunity to declare that he would not allow for her life to be endangered. He doesn't realize what a difficult job it is to keep someone as headstrong as Rin out of danger.

This guy's a real piece of work.

And…oh that's a shame; his master's summoning him home now. The bum wishes Rin a pleasant evening, stuffs a crumpet (possibly his twelfth as the tray is surprisingly empty) in his mouth and disappears.

I push myself away from the wall and take a seat on the sofa beside her glaring at the spot where the letch (as I've declared him to be) once sat. I'm annoyed but for all the wrong reasons.

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(Rin's POV)

"You know he's using you, right?"

Archer's always ever so quick to let me know the obvious. I take another sip of tea before replying.

"Yes, I do know that," I respond disdainfully, then sigh, before reclining back in my seat, propping my heels on the coffee table and folding my arms across my chest. I look upward at the ceiling. "But what can I do?"

"You can let me protect you."

I return my gaze to him at the edge in his voice. Archer looks frustrated with our current situation; I can't say I blame him. Archer class servants are known for their independence and are not known to work in groups; first, I order him to protect Shirou and Saber, now I'm ordering him not to attack Lancer and to work with his master whose identity has not been declared. God, he must think I'm hopeless.

"I'm sorry," I murmur, because I'm really at a loss for anything else to say.

He lets out a long sigh, before settling into his seat and propping his leg up over the other.

"So now what do we do, master?"

We sit next to one another on the sofa as I return my gaze and meet his inquiring stare. "We win this war; we utilize those that are willing to help us; watching our backs first, and foremost, we win the Holy Grail."

I watch as Archer closes his eyes, contemplating my words before smirking. "I accept those orders, Rin."

I grumble in my seat, that damn smirk indicates that he was just messing with me; to see what I would do. "Baka…what was with that, let me protect you bit?"

He opens one eye and regards me, "Is it wrong for me to want to protect you?"

"That depends," I counter with a smirk of my own, "Are you protecting me from potentially dangerous masters and their servants or are you protecting me from Lancer, who has shown an interest in me?"

We're at an impasse; both observing the other for any telltale signs that could give our thoughts away. Finally, Archer responds.

"Why should I care if a lecherous servant has a fancy for you?"

His voice is so nonchalant and he closes his eye for effect; I cannot contain myself as I pick up the plush pillow and smack him in the face before exclaiming, "Baka!"

I am rewarded as said, Baka, has a look of shock on his face.

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(Archer's POV)

Damn, that pillow was forcefully thrown. Getting hit with a pillow is degrading; they don't prepare you in combat for dodging pillows. I can't say that I'm not satisfied with the haughty expression planted on Rin's face; and knowing that I put it there is gratifying. I always liked seeing this side of Rin; when she radiates a confidence like this, I believe that we can truly win. We need to win; especially since I've decided to give everything toward this plan of eliminating myself from the past and future entirely. Besides, I was of no use to her in my time; yet I still carried her jewel with me until the day I died.

I hold up my hands in defeat of her actions.

"I surrender."

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"So both Rin and Archer agreed to our terms?"

Lancer leans against the wall, "After I explained our intentions, the girl was willing to join us. You didn't tell me that your student was such a wonderful girl," he remarks casually.

"Wonderful? Hardly a word that I would use to describe Rin; however, if she amuses you, then I suppose there can be no harm in that. Tomorrow I would like you to track Caster's movements. If she or her master, or if anything out of the ordinary occurs, you are to report back immediately."

"Yeah, I get it. You know, that girl made the best little cookies," continued Lancer, clearly his lack of respect for his master indicating their current relationship, "A shame I couldn't have gotten her as a master."

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"Shirou, was that Rin on the telephone?"

"Yes," replied Shirou with a yawn, "She's made an agreement with Lancer's master to defeat Caster first."

Saber nods, sitting on her bed and regarding Shirou as he stands in the doorway. "That's a good plan. We shall assist them then."

"That's what I was thinking. With Caster out of the way, Berserker would be our next target," he explained all in between a couple of yawns.

"Good. Until then, Shirou."

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(Midnight – Tohsaka Residence)

Rin's POV

No matter how hard I try, I just can't sleep. Not knowing who Lancer's master is, the golden figure that Archer and I saw still has yet to be determined, Caster and Berserker are still potential threats; I need something to settle my nerves.

I leave my bedroom and head down the stairs in my nightgown. Some tea is sure to do the trick; I think, as I let out a small yawn. It's funny, no matter how many times I walk down these stairs I never fall. Even as I child I would get up, yawn, and sleepily walk downstairs to greet my parents. I probably have the number of stairs memorized somewhere in the back of my mind.

My house used to be different. Sakura and I would chase each other around or play hide and seek within these halls; mother, when she was well, was always smiling, and father…father would nod his head approvingly. Along the way my memories became jumbled; timing, order, events, they didn't make sense anymore. Mother and I were sent to live with the Zenjou, the last time that I saw father I knew then that he would not come back, and then shortly after, my mother had some sort of mental breakdown. I remember thinking about something after my father's funeral, my mother kept doting on the fact that father needed a fresh suit to wear to the funeral and that Sakura would need a dress, and then Kirei gave me my father's dagger…but through my grief and my mother's confusion there was something that I know I have forgotten.

I leave the stairs and turn toward the hallway heading toward the kitchen. Maybe I'll have tea and something sweet to brighten my mood; my childhood memories are depressing to say the least. I enter the kitchen, walking effortlessly in the dark and to the fridge. I use the light of the fridge to make my selection…carrot cake, yes, a very good choice to go with a cup of tea. I take hold of the cake tray and upon standing let out a yell of alarm.

"Couldn't sleep?"

I nearly lose the tray in my hands and send a glare at my servant. "Don't do that," I yell angrily, "You nearly made me drop the tray."

I close the door as Archer flips on the kitchen light and make my way toward the bar. I place the tray on the counter top as Archer grabs not one, but two plates from the cupboard. Apparently I'm not the only one who has a sweet tooth late at night. I get the tea kettle and fill it with water before placing it on the stove.

We occupy stools on opposite ends of the counter and regard one another before I break the new found silence and slide him a piece of cake on his plate.

"I have a lot on my mind and couldn't fall asleep," I inform my servant, while cutting a piece of cake for myself.

"It's understandable; however, we need to make some strategic moves soon and narrow down our opponents."

I contemplate his words over my cake and then I realize, "Archer, how would you defeat our enemies?"

I've been spending so much time trying to think and be the kind of master that my father would approve of, that I've forgotten that my servant (like all) became a heroic spirit due to his skills in defeating his opponents.

Archer seems thoughtful on the matter, "I would let those around me take care of them. Then we would face the victor."

And his words are the smartest thing I've heard since this war began. I truly am an idiot…

…And the whistle on the tea kettle shatters my thoughts…

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(Archer's POV)

I watch as Rin removes the tea kettle from the stove and starts to gather the cups and fixings.

"You haven't said anything. Do you find this way to be cowardly?"

I observe her demeanor as she continues with the tea preparations and await her answer.

"Yes and no," she explains, bringing the tray to the counter and setting out the tea cups, cream pitcher and sugar bowl (always so perfectly mannered), "I suppose I've always wanted to show my servant's and my own strength to our opponent so I openly face them; however, it is a war and in order to ensure victory…maybe I should change my tactics, yet again. It just feels…"

"Dishonest? Not being true to your character?" I question, helping her to put her feelings into words.

"In a way, yes," she honestly replies, passing me the tea cup in her hand, "Sugar?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Cream?"

"Please."

Rin returns to her seat, stirring her spoon in her cup absently and staring at the swirls in her cup.

"I wonder what my father chose," she ponders, looking up and meeting my gaze, "He lived until the last day of the grail war; so he must have chosen right, up until that moment."

"Kotomine, he was with you then, right? What did he say about your father's death?"

I wait, watching a mix of emotions move across her face; she closes her eyes for a moment as if trying to recall the memories.

"Kirei said that my father was overpowered; he died in battle, that's all I know."

"That seems vague," I suggest, taking a sip of my tea and contemplating the idea.

"Yes, but my father had sent Kirei away for his safety. Kirei told me that he wasn't there when my father died."

"It bothers you, doesn't it?" I sympathetically ask, noticing the pained expression on her face, even after so many years.

"I wish I could have helped him. I ordered Kirei to protect my father when the war started. My father even told me not to be rude to Kirei and to put my faith in him, as my father had; a good student wouldn't have left even if his master wished it," I watch as she pauses for a moment and her expression changes to sorrow, "I don't know which servant or master killed him; the manner of how he died or what his final thoughts must have been. I do know one thing though, and that's that I don't want to die alone, Archer."

God, when she says things like that; it brings memories to the surface that I don't think that I can ever push down again. If she only knew who I was, what I had become; even without the catalyst, even if she had never summoned me; I could have never harmed her.

I make a vow to her in that moment, "You will not die in this war, Rin. Even if I must disappear to prevent it; I promise you, as your servant, I will protect you with my life."

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