...

Oscar woke up to find himself on a couch in an unfamiliar living room. It took him several moments to remember what happened. He had been taken in by Roman Torchwick.

What in the hell was happening? How did he get so far into the past? Did it have to do with Ozpin's cane?

Patting himself down he searched for Long Memory. It was not there. There was a flicker of panic in his chest. Where was it? Did Torchwick take it?

It only took him a second to sit up and something fell off of him. It was a white jacket that he recognized as belonging to Torchwick. Looking around he found that he was completely alone. He was thankful for that. Seeing Neo had been a shock to his system. He needed to get Long Memory and leave. Oscar didn't trust himself not to attack her.

Moving through the living room he did not find his cane. Gritting his teeth he moved into the kitchen. It was empty of anyone or anything.

Oscar then moved out of the kitchen and tried to decide what to do next. He could try looking in the rooms but that came with risks. Torchwick might think he was trying to steal. Or might think that he was planning on attacking him.

Still, Oscar could not leave Long Memory here. So he went to the room that Neo had not come out of. There he found a sparsely decorated room. Near the bed, he saw two canes. One was obviously Roman's and the other was instantly recognizable as Long Memory.

Quietly he made his way across the bedroom. Just as he reached out for his weapon the floorboards under his foot creaked. Oscar froze fear caused his heart to pound in his ears. Torchwick turned over and his eyes opened. There was a dark look in his eyes that sent a shiver down his spine.

Oscar snatched up Long Memory and held it out defensively in front of him. He widened his stance to keep his balance in case of an attack. Green eyes stared at him coolly. There wasn't any anger in the eyes. All he saw was the thief assessing him.

Torchwick sat up his movements slow but with a purpose. With each step he took toward Oscar, the boy took one back. To his surprise, Torchwick did not reach for his own cane. Instead, he stopped just before it, leaving the weapon in easy reach as he folded his arms.

Torchwick asked, "What are you doing? You need to rest."

"Rest? I can't just stay here. I need to figure out what is going on."

"Because you're from the future? That Beacon is going to fall?"

Oscar growled and his aura still weak flared over his chest. When it faded he was left feeling drained. Concern flashed in Torchwick's eyes.

Why did this man seem to care? Did he actually care or was he trying to lull Oscar into complacency? It could be like with Ironwood. Oscar wouldn't risk getting hurt again.

Roman's eyes flicked up from his chest to his face before he suggested, "You might want to sit. Otherwise, you're going to fall."

"What do you..." He didn't get any further with his question.

A sudden surge of weakness took over him and his knees buckled. A strong pair of arms caught him before he hit the ground. Slowly he was lowered into a sitting position.

"What's happening to me?" Questioned Oscar breathlessly.

Torchwick replied his voice sounding grim, "It must have something to do with how torn your aura is. The doctor said it was shredded to the point he was surprised you were even alive."

Shredded? But what could... Ozpin it had to be his connection to Ozpin. Was this a byproduct of traveling to the past when he was trying to merge with Ozpin? Not that it was his choice to do so.

"You know something," that was not a question.

Was he really so easy to read? Most of the time the others had difficulty reading his emotions. Did it have anything to do with Ozpin?

Oscar said as he brought a hand up to rub at his chest, "I have an idea but if it's right then there is nothing that can be done."

"Seriously?"

"Unless you want to kill Ozpin," Oscar said half-jokingly, "Though I would try my best to stop you."

Torchwick was looking as if seriously considering the possibility. Oscar made a mental note to keep Ozpin as far away from the thief as possible. Which should be easy given that Ozpin didn't know he existed.

Why did it feel as if Fate was laughing at him for that thought? Ozpin didn't know about him. He couldn't.

"We could kill him," Torchwick said with a thoughtful look, "Of course, that would mean figuring out Beacon's weaknesses and breaking in. Likely it would require faking being a student. Neo could do it though it would be difficult given she can't speak."

A snarl escaped Oscar and he grabbed Torchwick by his shirt collar. He pulled him close, "Don't you dare! Stay away from Beacon! Don't touch, Ozpin!"

"I won't," promised Torchwick as he held up his hands in surrender, "You would have to give me a damn good reason to go after one of the Headmasters. Even I'm not crazy enough to do it without a good reason. The Headmasters could make my life very difficult after all."

Oscar gripped Torchwick's collar even tighter as he snapped, "Swear it! Swear you won't attack Beacon and you will leave Ozpin alone!"

Roman swore, "I won't. At least not without consulting you first."

Oscar searched his face for a long moment then nodded. For now, he could accept the man's word. Accept but not trust. Not until it was proven.

"Take my bed," suddenly ordered Torchwick, "I'll go out and take the couch. Nothing can be decided tonight."

"But..."

"You're too exhausted for anything else," stated Torchwick matter of factly, "We will decide what to do in the morning."