Weiss shoved her bowl away, finished with her menial breakfast of yogurt and fresh fruit, while scrolling through the news on her phone, reading anything interesting but mostly just glancing at headlines. She didn't look up when one of the housekeepers swept the bowl away, returning the island to its immaculate condition before disappearing as if never truly being there. Maybe they hadn't been…though Weiss certainly hadn't done it herself. She couldn't even remember the last time she cleaned a dish or discarded a piece of trash on her own.

Too late, she remembered that she needed to find out where the baked goods came from, and she could only do that if she actually acknowledged the housekeepers. Another tray sat on the island in front of her, just as it had for the past…well, for as long as she could remember. Months, at least.

The pile of chocolate chip cookies drew her eye, and a smile wormed its way onto her lips. Several days had passed since she 'invited' Ruby over, but the memory had yet to fade. On the contrary, it grew stronger and more compelling with time. She wanted to see Ruby again, and she had an idea for how to make that happen.

Just as she wrapped two of the cookies in a napkin and slipped them into her purse, footsteps entered the kitchen. They were too heavy and slow to belong to any of the housekeeping staff, so she glanced over her shoulder and instantly wished that she hadn't.

"Fancy finding you here," Henry drawled, leaning his arm on the counter beside her. "What're you up to?"

"Well, I was reading. Now I'm being annoyed by Vale's most clueless bachelor."

Proving just how clueless he was, he had started grinning as soon as he heard 'Vale's most' but frowned when he heard the rest.

"Hey, plenty of girls are dying to go out with me, you know."

"Perfect. Why don't you bother one of them and leave me alone?"

Weiss grabbed her purse and tried to leave, but he stepped in front of her.

"Because you're the one I'm supposed to go out with. So just…stop being a bitch for five seconds and let me take you out to lunch."

"How sweet." Weiss lightly touched her fingers to her heart before scowling. "But please go fuck yourself - because I won't be."

She gave him a patronizing smile before brushing past, but he grabbed her arm and spun her back around.

"Where are you going?"

"None of your business," she snapped, yanking her arm away. "And if you want to keep both hands to jerk off with, you won't touch me like that again."

His eyes widened, but she flipped her hair over her shoulder and marched out of the room. Blood now boiling and thoughts an angry mess, she stormed out of the house and impatiently motioned to the first driver she found loitering near the garage.

"I'm going downtown," she told him while he hurriedly opened the passenger door for her. "The police station."

"The…police station?"

"I'm meeting someone there."

That was all the explanation he needed or deserved, so she settled into the backseat and clutched her purse in her lap. Several deep, slow breaths helped temper her fury, and passing through the estate's gates into Vale helped even more. Her mind gradually shut out Henry and his aggravating advancements and returned to more pleasurable subjects, such as how she planned on acquiring Ruby's company and imagining Ruby's reaction to seeing her again.

Those thoughts were so distracting that the police department appeared in the blink of an eye. The old, gloomy building brought back surprisingly fond memories, and she looked forward to making some more today.

"No need to wait," she instructed the driver once he'd opened the door for her. "I'll get my own ride home."

He probably nodded, but she walked through the sliding glass doors without waiting for his response. The worn-down lobby, complete with flickering fluorescent lights and an atrocious black-and-white faux tile floor, greeted her like the beginning of a horror movie. Her gaze immediately swept across the officers' area but found no trace of a certain brunette. That, in and of itself, was mildly disappointing, but persistence never died at the front door. Instead, she strode over to the receptionist - a middle-aged woman with frizzy, light brown hair who was currently typing on the computer.

"Excuse me," Weiss interrupted. "I'd like to speak to Chief Fowler."

"Sorry, honey. The Chief's available by appointment only."

"I should rephrase that. My name is Weiss Schnee, and I think you should ask Chief Fowler before telling me to make an appointment."

Realization slowly dawned in the woman's eyes, and she grabbed the phone before Weiss even mustered her most patronizing smile.

"Hey Chief, Weiss Schnee is here to see you. Yes, in the lobby. Ok, I'll let her know."

Weiss was smirking by the time the woman returned the phone to its cradle and clasped her hands in front of her.

"She'll be right up to get you."

"Thank you."

Weiss moved closer to the gated entry leading into the main office area for what turned out to be a short wait. Chief Fowler appeared from one of the offices almost immediately and hurried to the lobby.

"Miss Schnee," she greeted Weiss as soon as she stepped through the thick glass doors. "To what do I owe this honor?"

Her stiff posture and strained smile suggested this was more of a stressful situation than an honor, but Weiss took the words at face value.

"I have a request for you. Can we speak in your office?"

Weiss extended a hand toward the room the woman just came from as if she was issuing the invitation. Chief Fowler haltingly nodded but moved in that direction regardless, already pulling out her badge to let them through the security doors. "Of course, of course," she half mumbled as she did so. Only on the other side did she retake the lead and guide Weiss to her office.

The cramped, cluttered room would scare away the claustrophobic, but it was the crumbling armchairs that nearly did Weiss in. The leather looked so old that it must be decaying in front of her eyes, and the wood had been reduced to near-splinters. Despite wrinkling her nose, however, Weiss perched on the edge of one of the seats and watched the Chief of Police sit across from her.

Chief Fowler had to push several haphazard stacks of files out of the way just so that they could have a clear view of each other. Then she set her hands down, steepled her fingers, and tried her best to seem authoritative and in control. They both knew who was really in control though, and it wasn't the one wearing the badge.

"My father sends his regards," Weiss began. "He was particularly impressed with that large drug bust last week."

Chief Fowler's eyes searched Weiss' for any hint of whether her father was actually impressed or secretly annoyed by the successful raid. Finding nothing, she shifted in her seat.

"Yes, that was…that investigation was in the works for quite some time. I never expected it to be so successful, but we're always happy to clean up the streets."

"Well, you and your officers did fine work." Again, Chief Fowler searched for help guiding the conversation, and Weiss decided to throw her a lifeline. "But that's not what I'm here for."

Like air from a balloon, the stress released from the woman's shoulders. "Oh," she even said, a relieved smile sneaking onto her lips. "Then what can I help you with?"

"I have to run several important errands today, and I'd like an officer to accompany me."

"Oh. Well, you see -"

"I would take one of my father's…associates…" Weiss carried on. "But these particular errands require a…softer touch, if you understand."

Chief Fowler's brow furrowed, but she still nodded.

"I realize that the department serves an indispensable role in Vale," Weiss continued. "But I'm hoping you can spare one officer for the day. It would mean a great deal to me and my family."

The family didn't care about Weiss' trivial desires, but Chief Fowler didn't know that. All the woman knew was that Weiss Schnee sat in front of her with a 'request' that she had the power to fulfill. The wheels turned in her head - wheels greased with dollar signs - before she smiled and nodded.

"Absolutely, Miss Schnee. I'm more than happy to accommodate such a reasonable request."

"Perfect." Weiss smiled to reinforce the correct decision. "And I'd like it to be Officer Rose. She has proven most…skillful…in handling my protection."

"Of course. Let me figure out where she's at."

Anticipation bubbled through Weiss' veins as Chief Fowler picked up the phone and called someone. "Rachel, can you find Ruby and send her to my office immediately?" The chief paused for a second before adding, "Thank you," and dropping the phone back onto its cradle. "She'll be right here," she told Weiss, who sat even further forward on her seat. "What kind of errands do you need to run?"

"Oh, just, personal matters." Weiss waved away the invasive question and followed it with, "When's your re-election campaign starting again?"

"Ah. Not for another two years."

"It must be nice. Not to have to worry about that for a little while."

The woman swallowed once before hesitantly nodding and saying, "Yes. Yes, it is." Fortunately for her unraveling nerves, the door opened and Weiss' focus swept to the person who stepped through.

The moment Ruby spotted Weiss, she scoffed and said, "You're shitting me."

"Officer," Chief Fowler scolded her. "Watch your language."

Ruby clenched her jaw but nodded at the reprimand. Weiss beamed at Ruby and slowly crossed her legs, making her skirt ride up and capturing Ruby's brief attention. Before Ruby got a glimpse of anything racy, however, she straightened her posture and pointedly stared at Chief Fowler.

"You asked for me?"

"Yes, Miss Schnee needs a police escort today, and she's requested you."

Ruby's gaze flitted to Weiss, so Weiss rested her chin on the palm of one hand and smirked.

"What does she need an escort for?"

"That's for her to inform you."

"Shouldn't she explain what she needs before we help? Or are we just giving her whatever she wants?"

"I've already made that determination, Officer."

Weiss' jaw clenched harder the longer they spoke about her as if she wasn't there, but the finality in Chief Fowler's tone ended any argument.

"Fine. Of course." Ruby returned to the door, pushed it open with one hand, and motioned Weiss through with the other. "After you, Miss."

After shooting Ruby an annoyed look, which received Ruby's fake smile, Weiss stood and nodded to Chief Fowler. "Thank you so much for your help," she added, much to the woman's delight, before leaving the office with Ruby in tow.

"I can't believe you," Ruby muttered as they returned to the crowded room with too many desks.

"I didn't call 9-1-1," Weiss pointed out. "I requested your protection, and she said yes. Apparently, there are more than enough officers to help the rest of the people."

Weiss dismissively waved a hand through the air, but her triumphant smile faded when Ruby stopped at her desk and yanked the drawer open so hard that it slammed against its hinges.

"I have an actual job, you know," Ruby said while grabbing a set of keys. "And it's not ferrying around princesses all day." Ruby shoved the drawer closed with just as much force before adding, "Wait here. I need to make sure someone covers my shift since I'm needed elsewhere."

Weiss frowned when Ruby brushed past her and marched to the other side of the large room. There, Ruby flagged down a tall blonde holding a mug in a prosthetic hand. The blonde greeted Ruby with a big, bright smile that instantly renewed Weiss' jealousy from the other day.

That jealousy became a tempest when Ruby began explaining the situation and the blonde's smile fell. She moved closer, set a hand on Ruby's shoulder, and listened with such unwavering focus that Weiss knew that she was the date that Ruby mentioned. And Ruby was right - the blonde was something of a looker, who obviously took pride in her appearance. Her hair, in particular, looked radiant as the sun as it cascaded in waves down her back, and she clearly spent more than her fair share of time in the gym.

Simmering in envy, Weiss watched as they blatantly talked about her. Ruby didn't look over, but her frequent hand gestures sent the blonde's gaze flitting to Weiss. She frowned, so Weiss scowled back. The conversation ended with a few more words, a reassuring shoulder squeeze, and another opportunity to frown at each other while Ruby made her way across the room.

"Alright, let's go," Ruby said, walking past Weiss without even waiting. Weiss shot the blonde one last glare before following Ruby out of the police department.

"I'd think that interdepartmental dating would be frowned upon," she quipped while Ruby led her to one of the police cruisers parked outside.

"Inter-department - what?"

"The busty blonde."

Ruby yanked the passenger door open before frowning at Weiss, who crossed her arms over her chest and waited for an explanation. Ruby glanced at the building and scoffed.

"That's my sister."

The disclosure took a needle to the balloon of jealousy in Weiss' chest, and an exhale escaped her lips as Ruby got into the driver's seat.

"You look nothing alike," Weiss commented while slipping into the passenger seat and pulling the door closed.

"Thanks. Really appreciate that."

"Why don't you look alike?" Weiss demanded.

"Gee, I don't know. Genetics?" Weiss scowled at the sarcastic remark, but Ruby rested her hands on the steering wheel, looked at Weiss, and said, "Where to, Your Highness?"

"For the last time, I'd prefer that you use my name."

"And I'd prefer getting to do my job."

Faced with Ruby's stubbornness, Weiss huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Are you hungry?"

"No."

"Then Crescent Avenue."

Ruby shook her head but put the car in drive and navigated out of the parking lot without a word. Stiff silence attempted to smother them, broken up only by sporadic chatter from the police radio. Weiss had just noticed the string of voices when Ruby reached out and turned it up.

"Do you always listen to this?" Weiss asked.

"Again. It's my job."

"Just like it's your job to help old ladies cross the street and listen to neighbors bicker about hedges?"

When Ruby huffed but didn't respond, Weiss frowned and stared out the passenger window. This hadn't started out how she had hoped, but she still got what she wanted: Ruby's company and a wide-open slate of opportunities ahead. If Ruby was going to be all bent out of shape about it, well…Weiss could make her even more miserable.

But she didn't want to make Ruby's life hell. The strained atmosphere was the opposite of what she wanted, actually, but she would have to dedicate effort into changing it.

The opportunity presented itself when Ruby parked along the most popular section of Crescent Avenue. The entire street was renowned for its shopping, but this particular section catered to a much wealthier clientele. Small clothing boutiques, art galleries, and home furnishing stores clustered together with some of Vale's best restaurants and one exceptional spa.

"You do know me," Weiss teased, earning an eyeroll as Ruby got out and walked around the front of the car to open Weiss' door.

"What now?" Ruby asked once Weiss stepped out of the vehicle.

"What do you think? We go shopping."

Ruby's sigh probably released every ounce of oxygen from her lungs, but she still followed Weiss to the spotless, decorative sidewalk running the length of the street. Every store had a unique awning and color scheme, and a steady stream of pedestrians roamed in and out of the open businesses. Ruby's uniform drew plenty of curious glances, but the added scrutiny was easy enough to ignore.

No particular need or want drove Weiss here, but she told Ruby that they were going shopping, so she ducked into the first boutique that caught her fancy. Most of her attention remained on the surly officer though, who was lightyears away from blessing her with another one of the smiles she coveted.

"You're frustrated today," she came right out and said while thumbing through some blouses.

"Surprised you noticed," Ruby remarked, trailing Weiss to the next rack. "You see, some stuck-up rich girl has decided that I work for her so keeps making me drop everything to do what she wants. Which, shockingly, isn't why I became a cop and doesn't help me reach any of my goals."

"I could live without the sarcasm, Officer." Weiss reached the end of another rack of clothing and glanced at Ruby, who still wore a scowl. Something Ruby said had caught Weiss' interest though, but Weiss would never get a response if she didn't ask delicately. And she couldn't ask delicately without first squeezing every shred of sarcasm or biting wit from her tone.

"What goals are you working towards?"

The question sounded so genuine that Weiss nearly added a curse word just because. But she held her tongue and, remarkably, it worked. Ruby didn't scoff; she sighed and answered.

"I'm trying to make the SWAT team, but I need a certain number of patrol hours before I can join and these don't count as patrol hours."

"Oh."

It took several seconds for Weiss to identify the sour feeling in her stomach as guilt. If what Ruby said was true, then she was rightfully irritated. Weiss hated being told what to do, so she shouldn't be surprised that Ruby hated it too. That was especially true if Weiss was preventing Ruby from accomplishing something that she actually wanted to do.

"I'm sorry I took you away from that. I'll request someone else next time. Perhaps a competitor you'd like to see fall behind?"

When Weiss stopped searching through the clothing and waited for Ruby's response, Ruby glanced over out of the corner of her eye and then huffed.

"You should stop requesting police escorts for anything. I doubt you need protection"

"I do need protection," Weiss argued. "My family is well-known and wealthy, as you're aware."

"I know you have personal security if you're actually worried." Ruby finally met Weiss' gaze, challenging her to argue, before nodding. "And if you just want company, I don't work all damn day."

Weiss' gaze flew to Ruby, but Ruby moved to the next clothing rack and forced Weiss to pursue her.

"Why would I want company?"

"Because you're lonely."

"I'm not lonely."

Ruby touched a pair of pants and arched her brow.

"Oh, yeah? I'd be pretty lonely if I was trapped in that huge house by myself."

"I'm not -" Weiss clenched her jaw and shook her head. "My family lives there, too."

"And which one of them would be shopping with you if I wasn't here?"

"My mom if she was sober, or my brother if I bribed him -" Weiss stopped talking and scowled. "I have plenty of people to go shopping with if I choose to."

Done with that conversation, she spun on her heel and stomped out of the store. She set off down the sidewalk without waiting for Ruby, though footsteps and that incessant jingle soon caught up to her.

"There's nothing wrong with being lonely."

Sighing out loud, Weiss reached into her purse and shoved the chocolate chip cookies against Ruby's stomach. "Eat these and shut up," she grumbled, ignoring Ruby's reaction and anything other than striding down the street.

Thankfully, Ruby did as instructed, and her soft, delighted hum lightened the storm clouds above Weiss' head. It was a fucking cookie, for chrissakes, yet it might as well be a diamond necklace based on how much Ruby enjoyed it. The ensuing silence, which was much less stilted than how they began their time together, presented the perfect opportunity for Weiss to remember why she sought out Ruby to begin with. The oddly comforting presence. The strangely unending tolerance. The stubborn yet eventual obedience. And an appearance that was definitely easy on the eyes.

Weiss snuck a glance at Ruby and, upon finding the cookies long gone, motioned into the next clothing gallery. Ruby ducked inside without a word, seemingly too appeased by the baked goods to comment on the gaudy exterior.

"This is one of my favorite stores," Weiss explained before rolling her eyes at herself. Ruby, however, looked around with more interest.

The spacious, well-lit store had carefully curated displays of the latest fashions and neatly arranged clothing racks. Legitimate works of art adorned the walls, and Weiss' heels tapped nicely against the polished wood floor. Soft music played in the background while designer dresses, skirts, and blouses drew attention in a pressing yet inviting way. A middle-aged woman wearing a smartly coordinated blouse and skirt approached them before they made it far from the front door.

"Welcome." The woman's gaze lingered on Ruby before reaching Weiss, and her smile quickly brightened. "Miss Schnee! It's lovely to see you again. Our newest pieces just arrived - you'll find them along this wall."

The woman extended her arm toward the left of the store, so Weiss headed that way with nothing more than a, "Thank you."

"Let me know if you need any help," the saleswoman called after them, but Weiss had already reached the first rack and started perusing with passing disinterest. Ruby stood close enough that Weiss could quickly turn and walk right into her, which Weiss considered doing for several brief moments before an even more tantalizing idea sparked into her mind.

Her fingers trailed down the sheer white blouse that she just stumbled across, admiring the fabric but also the plunging neckline. The top should be worn as part of an ensemble - a middle layer that a jacket would cover and a thin shirt would go under - but, for the confident or salacious, it could very well be worn on its own.

Finding her size, she pulled out the hanger and spun into Ruby. Blessed with the element of surprise, she clinched one brief, intimate moment in Ruby's personal space, with the smell of roses so close, and those silver eyes - slightly widened in surprise - mere inches away.

Ruby quickly moved away, so Weiss held up the hanger with the shirt dangling from it.

"Maybe you'll help me?" she asked, smiling sweetly, but Ruby frowned.

"You want me to undress you?"

"I want you to help me change," Weiss reiterated, though a pleased smile slipped onto her lips. "If you're suggesting something else…"

Ruby didn't wait for the end of that sentence before striding to the back of the store, where three dressing rooms stood open. Smirking at the response, Weiss followed at a pace that masked her rapid pulse. She expected Ruby to put up more of a fight, honestly, but Ruby picked the dressing room on the far left and motioned Weiss inside.

The room could have comfortably accommodated four or even five people. A small sofa sat along one wall. A floor-length mirror took up the wall across from it. Several empty hooks waited for hangers and outfits to be hung upon them. There was even a plush area rug that Weiss' heels sank into. While Weiss wished the room was smaller, Ruby took the hanger from her hands and slipped the blouse off of it.

"What're you doing?"

"What's it look like?" Ruby held up the shirt but lowered it when Weiss arched a brow and looked down at the shirt she currently wore. "You can undo buttons on your own," Ruby added, but Weiss held up her hands and wiggled her manicured nails.

"These are only a day old. I'm not chipping them already."

Truthfully, she couldn't care less about her nails - she could have them redone tomorrow if necessary - but she wouldn't let a situation like this go to waste. She would use any excuse or coercion at her disposal, and she prepared to do that when Ruby scoffed again. But then Ruby shook her head, tossed the shirt over the arm of the sofa, and said, "Fine."

The solitary word shot through Weiss' poise like a cannon, and desire burned so hotly through her that her skin warmed when Ruby's hands reached for the top button of her blouse. She had never considered herself an exhibitionist, but she suddenly wanted Ruby to look at her. She wanted that silver gaze on her skin. She wanted to feel something. She wanted a reaction.

Ruby was annoyed. Frustrated, even. She could have roughly undid the buttons, tugging and pulling at the fabric, but she worked softly. She treated Weiss…tenderly…even though Weiss had forced her to do it. Even though a blush crept up her cheeks with every button undone and inch of skin exposed. That blush deepened when the last button came apart, fully revealing Weiss' stomach and her lacy white bra, yet Ruby didn't flinch.

"You must be so gentle in bed."

The comment slipped out, and Ruby instantly withdrew. Even the tips of her ears were red now, but Weiss smiled and shrugged out of her shirt. She then leaned forward, pressing her chest into Ruby, and grabbed the new shirt from the sofa. For a second, she considered making Ruby button this one up for her. But, considering the level of Ruby's blush, she pulled it on and buttoned it up herself.

"What do you think?"

Weiss was sold the instant Ruby's eyes lingered on her cleavage. "My eyes are up here, Officer," she teased, smirking when Ruby's gaze shot away.

"It looks fine," Ruby mumbled, rubbing the back of her neck and looking anywhere but at Weiss. She only turned back when Weiss stepped back into her space, craving another intimate moment. This time, Ruby didn't back away. Not even when Weiss reached up and ran the collar of Ruby's starchy uniform between her fingertips. Ruby's eyes locked onto Weiss' instead, the closeness sending another thrill down Weiss' spine.

"I think I'll wear it home," she concluded. She then grabbed her original shirt and left the dressing room - and Ruby - behind. A satisfied smile found its way onto her lips when Ruby hurried after her, but she went to the register without acknowledging the flustered officer.

"I'll take this one," she said, extending the sleeve with the tag to the woman behind the counter.

"It looks lovely on you," the woman gushed before carefully removing the tags and pulling out a bag to put them in. "Would you like me to put that in here, too?" she asked, motioning to Weiss' discarded top.

"Yes, please."

Once the bag had been packed, the woman ran Weiss' credit card and added the receipt on top. "Please come again soon," she said while handing it across the counter. "We get new items in all the time."

Weiss flashed a smile before grabbing the bag and leaving the store with Ruby in tow. Her steps felt light and carefree now, and not even the crowded sidewalk dampened her spirits. Ruby could have said no, and perhaps Weiss would have allowed it. Ruby could have said no and simply walked away, forcing Weiss to switch tactics or give up the idea entirely. Refusal would have been met with dogged persistence, but Ruby had already proven to have a stronger spine than most. If she didn't want to help Weiss change, she wouldn't have.

Now, Weiss wanted more of that. Whatever that was.

"Do you need me to carry that?"

Ruby pointed at the shopping bag, but Weiss pulled it closer to herself.

"No, thank you. I'll carry it."

Ruby's brow furrowed, and Weiss also wondered why she hadn't just shoved the bag onto Ruby, but a bustling coffee shop captured her imagination.

"Thirsty?"

"I'm good, but feel free."

So Ruby wouldn't fully play along, but Weiss hummed and led them into the coffee shop. The noise greeted them first - coffee grinders and multiple conversations taking place at once - but the heavy aroma of caffeine and thick syrups followed close behind. Weiss joined the line with Ruby at her side and again noticed how much attention Ruby drew in her uniform.

Or did Ruby draw attention because she was fundamentally and unequivocally attractive? That would explain the young woman struggling to tear her gaze away, sending possessiveness swirling through Weiss' veins. She made sure to catch the girl's attention before setting a hand on Ruby's arm. Ruby looked down, brow furrowed, but Weiss slid her fingers across the coarse fabric of Ruby's uniform and then squeezed Ruby's firm bicep.

"You must not be getting your daily dose of donuts."

"It's mostly cookies these days."

Ruby didn't smile, but there was a sparkle in her eyes that made Weiss want to smile.

"What can I get you?" the barista interrupted, and Weiss clicked her tongue while turning away.

"I'll have a skinny, half-caf soy double shot vanilla latte." Hearing Ruby scoff, Weiss smiled at her. "Sure you don't want anything, Officer?"

"I'm good. That'll take long enough as it is."

"Are you suggesting I'm high maintenance?" Weiss asked while paying for the order and moving away from the line.

"Yes."

Weiss scoffed at the blunt response but, ultimately, tilted her chin up and said, "Well, I am." She expected a scoff or eyeroll in return, but Ruby smiled. Ruby smiled at her, and her heart nearly found its way out of her chest from the sheer, unexpected radiance of it. Even after Ruby turned away, surveying the other patrons, Weiss remained stuck in that moment, replaying it so diligently that she missed the barista calling out her order. She only caught on when Ruby's attention slipped to the counter.

"I think that's yours."

Ruby pointed at the solitary cup, so Weiss finally turned away and grabbed it. Ruby's attention lingered on her, but she took a sip and clawed her heart back into its place.

"Want to sit outside? It's nice out."

Ruby's gaze flitted to the patio, where umbrella-shaded tables waited for customers, before returning to Weiss.

"That's up to you, isn't it?"

"Then why did I ask?" Weiss shot back with a little more haughtiness than intended. Fortunately, Ruby didn't retreat at the tone; she glanced outside and shrugged.

"Sure. I'm just going to use the restroom real quick."

Ruby gestured to the restrooms and waited for Weiss' nod before heading that way. Someone almost immediately stopped her to talk, much to Weiss' annoyance, but the conversation appeared friendly. So, drink in hand and shopping bag dangling from one elbow, Weiss flipped her hair over her shoulder and went outside.

She sat down at the table furthest from any other customers. Her feet thanked her for the reprieve, but her mind sent waves of adoration as she poured more energy into her system. This little adventure had already blown away her expectations, which only raised her expectations for what might come next.

Smiling at the thought, she sipped her coffee and glanced inside. When Ruby returned, Weiss wanted another smile. If that required poking fun of herself or stripping down to her underwear, she would do it - the latter option being most enticing.

Those scandalous thoughts had nearly consumed her when someone suddenly pulled out the seat across from her and sat down.

"Quiet," the man warned when she opened her mouth to tell him to leave. He set a gun on the table, hidden beneath his mammoth hand but clearly pointed at her. "You're getting up and walking out of here with us."

She glanced up at the second man standing over her shoulder before glowering at the gun-wielding idiot.

"You should really walk away while you still can."

"Not happening. Stand up, slowly, and no one gets hurt."

Pulse racing now, Weiss glanced at the coffeeshop before slowly pushing herself to her feet. The man behind her moved the chair out of the way and handed her her purse while the other slipped his weapon into his coat pocket and grabbed her elbow.

"Follow me," he said, though he mostly dragged her to the sidewalk and then to the next corner. A white van with opaque windows and no license plates waited at the edge of the street.

"Not at all suspicious," she quipped.

"Shut up and move." The man behind her nudged her forward, so she kept walking.

"How much are they paying you? Because my family will triple it."

"Stop talking," he warned her with another shove that made her grate her teeth.

"Weiss?"

Weiss' heart skipped at the sound of her name, and she silently cursed the men with an eternity in hell for being here the first time Ruby called her by her name. Now, instead of gushing over how much she liked the way her name sounded sliding through Ruby's lips, she had to turn around with a gun barrel digging into her back.

"What the fuck's a cop doing here?" one of the men whispered while Ruby slowed to a stop several feet away. Her silver eyes flitted between the two men before locking onto Weiss.

"Where're you going?"

The man behind Weiss shoved the barrel deeper into her back, which annoyed her to no end. So she did what any honest citizen would do - she cleared her throat, tilted her chin up, and said, "It's Miss Schnee to you."

For a split second, time stood still. Then Ruby blinked once and her weapon practically flew into her hand.

"Hands in the air!" she shouted, gun already aimed at one of the men while he roughly grabbed Weiss and pointed his gun at her head.

"Shit, man," he mumbled under his breath.

"Put your weapon down and let her go," Ruby ordered, her tone calm and authoritative while her posture remained tense. The man holding Weiss pulled her a step backwards instead, which Ruby matched in one measured movement. "I'm going to count to three," she warned. "One…two…"

Weiss didn't wait for 'three.' While the man behind her was distracted, she slammed an elbow into his stomach and then stomped on his foot with her stiletto. He howled and reached for his foot, giving Ruby the chance to charge forward, lower her shoulder into his chest, and send him crashing to the pavement. The gun clattered across the ground while his partner grabbed Ruby around the waist and yanked her backward.

Ruby yelped as her knee slammed into the ground to stabilize herself, but the man was already rushing her for another attack. With the first man scrambling to regain his feet, Weiss skirted around him and grabbed the gun before he reached it. The weight of it calmed her, in a way, as she aimed at the man lunging at Ruby and squeezed the trigger.

The sound was near deafening without earmuffs, but she hardly confirmed that it hit him in the shoulder before spinning to the idiot who thought he could touch her. When she pointed the weapon at him, he raised his hands in the air. She lowered her aim and squeezed the trigger again. The bullet blew right through his kneecap, prompting a pained howl as he dropped to the ground and clutched the wound with both hands. Unmoved by his theatrics, she rushed over to Ruby.

"Are you ok?" she asked, checking Ruby for any injuries.

"You shot them," Ruby gasped while rolling onto her side, breathing heavily. "I haven't even shot anyone."

"Would you like to? It's remarkably cathartic."

When Weiss offered Ruby the gun, Ruby stared at it with wide eyes. "What is wrong with you?" she got out before pushing herself to her feet and grabbing the weapon. Weiss froze at the question, which reverberated through her mind like a semi-truck striking a gong. She didn't have a comeback, so she just stood there and watched Ruby check both men for weapons before returning to her.

"Are you ok? Did they hurt you?"

The concern in Ruby's tone and expression only rubbed salt in the wound. "I'm fine," Weiss said but offered nothing more. Ruby looked her over to confirm that she was unharmed before unclipping a radio from her belt.

"This is Officer Rose. I need immediate backup at the corner of Crescent and Pine Avenue for an attempted kidnapping. Two perpetrators, both need medical assistance. The victim is here with me."

The next few minutes passed in slow motion. Ruby applied pressure to the shoulder of one of the men. The other clutched blood-stained hands around his knee and held back tears. And Weiss just…existed, unsure of what to do other than wait for help to arrive.

Fortunately, backup arrived quickly. The sirens could be heard first, then the first police car turned onto the street and stopped beside them. Two officers leapt out and rushed to help Ruby while another police car, followed shortly by an ambulance, arrived. Soon, the entire block swarmed with officers and medical personnel, along with a crowd of bystanders hoping to get a good look at the commotion.

As soon as the phones came out to snap photos, Weiss held up a hand hoping to block her face and mask her identity. The last thing she needed was to be caught in some idiot's cell phone video, but she hardly started grinding her teeth about it before Ruby ushered her over to one of the police cars.

"Here." Ruby opened the passenger door and helped Weiss inside. "I'll get you home in a bit, ok?"

Weiss nodded, and Ruby looked like she might say something else, but she just shut the door instead. Blessed with silence and privacy, Weiss watched the chaotic scene wind down. Two ambulances left with the men and several police officers as company. More officers arrived to take pictures and collect evidence from the sidewalk. A third ambulance arrived - the paramedic who jumped out of the back fretted over Ruby as if they knew each other, but Ruby brushed off the concern and only accepted a towel to wipe the blood from her hands. Ruby then shared a few words with one of the officers and hurried back to the car.

"I told them you're declining medical attention," she said after getting into the driver's seat. "Is that true?"

"Yes."

Ruby nodded, started the car, and carefully drove around the ambulance parked on the side of the street. "They'll need your statement, but I told them to wait. I'll just give them mine today."

"Ok."

Ruby glanced over, but Weiss stared out the window, watching the streets widen. The incident had killed Weiss' desire to talk and Ruby, fortunately or not, didn't press - she glanced over every few seconds instead, as if she expected Weiss to disappear if she turned away for too long.

But Weiss had nowhere to go but home, and the tall gates opened for them before long. The drive leading up to the mansion passed in the blink of an eye and, before she knew it, she was staring at the courtyard leading to her home.

"Do you want me to wait with you until your family's home?"

"No, thank you," Weiss said while opening the door and stepping outside.

"Weiss -" Ruby started to say, but Weiss shut the door and walked away. The courtyard, the obnoxious fountains, the heavy front door, the cavernous foyer - the familiarity provided some sense of comfort. As did Whitley's eyesore shoes sitting by the door, and the faint voices drifting from the back of the house.

Her hands trembled from adrenaline, so she clasped them together and made her way to the kitchen. When she entered the room, she found her father sitting at the dining table, 'participating' in family time while actually just reading emails on his phone. Her mother sat two seats away holding an opaque cup, masking the contents despite everyone knowing what it held. Winter rested her head on her hands, looking stressed beyond belief as she poured over a stack of papers. Whitley sat at the island by himself, playing a game on his phone.

It was a typical gathering. She wished that she didn't have to ruin it with her news.

"Hey, Dad?" Despite directing the question to her father, everyone looked up at her. "Sorry," she impulsively added. "I just - I was out shopping and, well, I think some guys just tried to kidnap me."

She could have heard a pin drop in the silence that followed, then everyone started talking at once.

"Some guys what?" her mom screeched.

"Are you serious?" Whitley asked.

"What do you mean, 'you think?' What'd they do?"

"Quiet!" her father ordered, and everyone instantly fell silent. "Tell me what happened."

Before Weiss said anything, Winter came to her side, gently took her by the elbow, and guided her to sit down at the table.

"Uh, well, I went shopping on Crescent Avenue, like usual. I got this shirt." She held up the sleeve while Whitley pulled out the chair beside her and sat down. "Then I stopped for coffee, and while I was sitting outside, some guy sat down and told me to come with him and this other guy. He had a gun, so I did."

"Oh my god," her mom said, looking faint and pale after hearing just that much. "Jacques, I told you. I told you to be careful."

"We don't even know what happened, Willow," he reprimanded her before turning his cold gaze back to Weiss. "What happened next?"

Winter set a hand on Weiss' shoulder, offering silent yet steady support, yet Weiss still needed a deep breath before finishing the story.

"There was a cop - she must've sensed something was wrong because all of a sudden she's telling them to drop their weapons and -" Weiss paused and exhaled. "There was a struggle. I shot both of them and then they were arrested."

Another pin-drop-worthy silence followed.

"You shot them?" her mom shrieked.

"It was self-defense," Winter replied far more calmly.

"It's fine," her father said, his booming voice overruling them all. "But we need to get in touch with Lisa right away and make sure the press runs the right story. We're the victims here."

"Weiss literally is -" Whitley began only to be cut off by a stern look.

"And we need to call Bill and make sure nothing goes on your record. You acted in self-defense - the police better not even write your name in their system. Then we find out who did this and what they hoped to accomplish."

"Well that's obvious, isn't it?" Weiss' mother said, her bottom lip quivering and eyes filling with tears. "They wanted to kidnap her and use her for ransom."

An 'I'm sure that's not true' might have been reassuring, but Weiss' father studied her with a cold, calculating gaze. He was probably wondering how much she was actually worth in dollars. How big of a check would he write to keep her alive?

"We shouldn't jump to conclusions, but until we have answers, no one leaves this house without an escort." He looked around the table, daring anyone to challenge him, before nodding. "Not even to see Robyn," he told Winter. "And you're taking someone to class," he told Whitley, whose knee bounced so fast that Weiss set her hand on it to make him stop.

Several red droplets on her skirt caught her attention, and she touched the clean fabric around them before scowling.

"Maybe we should let Weiss get some rest while we reach out to everyone?" Winter suggested.

"Of course."

Weiss' father waved her away, but it was Winter who prodded her to her feet and ushered her out of the room. Whitley banged his knees into the bottom of the table as he scrambled after them.

"Did you really shoot them?" he asked while Winter led them upstairs. "What was it like? Was there blood everywhere?"

"Whitley." Winter's stern tone shut Whitley up, and she looked down at Weiss with far more care. "Are you ok?"

That question was going to grate on her for the foreseeable future, but Weiss tolerated it this time.

"I'm fine. I just want to shower and change. Maybe lay down for a bit."

Winter and Whitley exchanged glances, but Weiss kept her gaze trained forward and her head held high. Anything else, and they would worry about her more than they already were. Even so, when they reached her room, Winter wrung her hands before nodding to Whitley, who plopped down on the sofa in Weiss' room before she left.

Telling Whitley to leave would be pointless, so Weiss didn't bother. She grabbed clean clothes and headed into the bathroom, leaving him to play games on his phone. Once the door closed, she turned the water to scaldingly hot and stared at her reflection until steam started fogging up the mirror.

Maybe she should feel like crying, but she felt nothing. A little stunned and annoyed by all the fretting going on, but her eyes were dryer than the desert. The moment replayed in her mind over and over again - the gun, the sound of a bullet cracking through bone, the howl of pain and the blood that followed. Then Ruby's words, hitting like a hammer, before starting over from the beginning.

She had been so excited about the day…of course the family had to barge in and ruin everything. Now…well, she didn't know what happened now. Her father would give her instructions that she would follow. And Ruby…

Ruby was fine, and Weiss was fine. They were both just…fine.