Flashing Lights - Chapter 15 (Patreon)

Someone’s obnoxious music woke Weiss up, and she smiled.  It didn’t matter that the song was horrible or that it should be turned down so it didn’t wake the entire building.  She didn’t care that the kids upstairs were already stampeding down the halls.  She didn’t care if someone honked on the street, oblivious to the apartments towering above them.  The radio could be turned up louder, the kids could bang on the floors with hammers, the driver could lay on the horn all the way to work - nothing could dent her smile.

Well, one thing could: Ruby shifting on the bed and then groaning.  But, even then, Weiss smiled more than she should have as she rubbed her eyes and searched for the source of Ruby’s discomfort.

“Sorry,” Ruby whispered as soon as she noticed that Weiss was awake.  “Meds wore off, and this thing’s super uncomfortable.”  Ruby vaguely motioned to the sling still safely securing her arm.

“I’ll get you some medicine.”

“Wait -” 

Ruby reached out, but Weiss had already slipped out of reach and sent her a bemused smile. 

“You act like I’m not getting right back in bed with you,” Weiss teased before padding into the kitchen for the medications the hospital sent home with them.  Humming the stupid pop song to herself, she grabbed the pill bottles and a glass of water then returned to the room.

“Alright…”  She set everything on Ruby’s bedside table before opening the bottle of painkillers.  She reread the label before dumping two into her hand and then dropping them into Ruby’s.  “Bottom’s up,” she added, handing Ruby the water so that Ruby could chase the medicine with several big gulps.  

Weiss then took the glass from Ruby’s hands, left it on the end table, and returned to her side of the bed.  After crawling back under the covers, she shimmied over to Ruby’s side and settled against Ruby’s good shoulder with a sigh.  “That wasn’t so bad, was it?” she asked, wrapping her leg around Ruby’s and snuggling closer.

“I guess not…” 

Weiss rolled her eyes but still smiled at the stubborn answer.  She would probably be smiling all day - all week, even - and that was fine by her.  Whitley would ask what was wrong with her face, but she would willingly subject herself to his teasing in exchange for the pure bliss Ruby’s presence injected into her veins.

“How do you feel?” she asked when Ruby’s subtle fidgeting made it obvious that she wasn’t going back to sleep. 

“Like something sliced through my arm,” Ruby replied before blowing a breath through her lips.  “It feels all stiff and swollen, too.  It must be twice as big.”

Humming softly, Weiss sat up and straddled Ruby’s hips so that she could get a better look at Ruby’s arms.  After lifting Ruby’s sleeves out of the way, she narrowed her eyes and compared the left one to the right.  The right was noticeably swollen around Ruby’s shoulder and bruising peeked out from beneath the gauze, but Weiss casually shrugged and said, “They look the same to me.”

“Did you just lie to make me feel better?”

“I would never,” Weiss gasped, lightly touching one hand to her heart and waiting for Ruby’s laugh before smiling.  “It is swollen,” she admitted, ghosting her fingers over Ruby’s shoulder.  “And bruised.  Guess the doctor wasn’t joking about not using it.”

“I could if I had to.”

“I’m not even going to comment on that.”  Weiss laughed and shook her head, knowing anything she said would only invite Ruby’s competitive side into the light.  Ruby, meanwhile, beamed up at Weiss with all the joy in the world shining through her silver eyes.

“I’ve missed you…” Ruby sighed, brushing her fingers across Weiss’ knee before lazily moving up Weiss’ leg.  Weiss could only hold that adoring gaze for so long before looking away, biting her lip at the tingles running up her thigh.  “You look good in P.D. navy, by the way.”

“You think?”  When Ruby nodded, Weiss smiled down at the navy t-shirt draped over her.  “Maybe I can get a pair of shorts to go with it?” she asked, her breath hitching when Ruby’s hand crawled higher.

“Maybe…” Ruby hummed, though her little smirk suggested a pair of shorts might be too much coverage for her liking.  That smirk also suggested that she knew how much she was riling Weiss up, and Weiss would complain about the leisurely pace if she wasn’t enjoying it so much.  

She regretted that spat of patience as soon as a chime rang somewhere in the room. 

“Oh, that’s my alarm.”  Ruby withdrew her hand and glanced around.  “Do you know where…?”

“I’ll get it.”  Weiss leaned down and kissed Ruby - a bit roughly to voice her displeasure at how the situation ended - before leaving the bed in search of Ruby’s phone.  She found it in the back pocket of the pants Ruby wore home last night, silenced the alarm, then handed it to Ruby.

“Jesus,” Ruby said as soon as she saw the missed calls and messages.  “The entire city tried to call me.”

“You’re a popular person,” Weiss mused while slipping back into bed.  Despite a growing desire to get on top of Ruby again, she propped herself up on the pillow and ran her fingers through Ruby’s hair while Ruby sifted through hundreds of missed messages.  Ruby paused and looked up at Weiss a few moments later.

“I had to get shot for you to call me?”

When Ruby showed Weiss the missed call, Weiss sighed and melted into the pillow.

“In my defense, I was going to call you.  This just…beat me to it.”  

Thinking about all of the missed opportunities before last night, however, she frowned.  

“I should’ve called sooner,” she admitted, staring at Ruby’s hair as it fell around her fingers rather than meeting Ruby’s questioning gaze.  “But I was too…proud.  I didn't want to beg you to take me back, and I knew you made the right decision.  I couldn't give you what you deserved.  At least, I didn’t think I could.”

“What changed?”

Remembering her conversation with Winter, she finally smiled.

“I learned that my family - the family I care about, at least - only wants me to be happy.  And they know that means someday I’ll trust someone else with our secrets.  Because…no one can deal with all of this alone.”

“You shouldn’t have to deal with it at all.”  

Ruby set her hand on Weiss’ cheek, so Weiss sighed and leaned into the touch.

“I know, but…some families are doctors, some are lawyers, some are cops -”  Weiss gently nodded to Ruby before frowning.  “My family is just…organized crime.  I grew up in it just like you grew up being around the police.”

“I…never thought about it like that.”  Ruby’s brow pinched.  “It’s what you’re used to.  It’s your…calling?”  Ruby tilted her head and squinted at Weiss as if puzzling through an unsolvable question.  Eventually, she shook her head and slid her hand down Weiss’ arm to hold her hand.  “Honestly, it’s scary thinking about what would happen if you took over.  You…you’d be really good at it, and that would be…bad.”

“You mean I’d be great at it,” Weiss playfully corrected before frowning at their joined hands.  “My dad thinks I’ll be great at it, too…but I don’t want anything to do with it.”

That was the second time she made the confession in a matter of days.  Ruby rewarded her by squeezing her hand and saying, “I know.”

“You know?”

“Yeah, I can feel it.  I’ve always felt it, I think.  You said that life would destroy your brother, but…it would do the same to you.”  Ruby paused and softly scoffed.  “I’m starting to think all of Jacques Schnee’s kids have hearts of gold.  No idea how that happened.”

Weiss’ heart, which was the most impure form of gold if it was any at all, warmed so much at Ruby’s words that the room’s temperature likely increased several degrees.  Ruby had never met Winter or Whitley, but she was already giving them a chance.  She wasn’t letting their father’s reputation taint them…and that meant more to Weiss than she would have ever imagined.

“I want you to meet them someday,” she blurted out.  When Ruby looked up at her, she nodded.  “I want you to meet them,” she repeated.  “Sometime.  When you’re ready, and they’re ready.”

A slow smile eased onto Ruby’s lips, and she nodded soon after.  “I’d love to,” she added as if Weiss needed extra reassurance.  “Maybe when my arm’s not all jacked up?  I don’t want them to think I’m lame.”

“They won’t think you’re lame.”  Weiss paused and scrunched up her nose when she thought about what her brother might say.  “But that’s fine.  I’m in no rush to share you anytime soon.”  When she leaned down to kiss Ruby’s forehead, a rather loud grumble made her pause and arch her brow.  “Are you hungry?”

“A little.”  Ruby’s stomach gave her away with another loud growl.  “Ok,” she admitted, smiling as Weiss laughed.  “Maybe a lot.”

“Let’s get you some food then.”  Ruby’s sigh was flattering, but Weiss made her way to the door and beckoned Ruby after her.  “Come on - don’t you want to see me make you breakfast?”

“You’re going to make it?”  

Ruby threw off the covers and jumped to her feet, then slightly swayed before finding solid footing.  “I’m good,” she said as Weiss reached out to steady her.  “Just got a headrush.” 

“Please be careful.  Your sister will skewer me if you end up back in the hospital.”

While Ruby grumbled something about Yang being ‘overprotective,’ Weiss lightly held her elbow as they went to the kitchen.  There, she pulled out one of the barstools and motioned for Ruby to sit.  “You can stay here and look pretty,” she teased before Ruby argued to help.  Ruby huffed but obediently perched on the stool and watched Weiss open the refrigerator.

“Want scrambled eggs?”  Weiss glanced over her shoulder for Ruby’s grin before pulling out the eggs.  She had watched Ruby make scrambled eggs enough times that she had a good feel for it by now.  She had never cooked them herself…but she was a fast learner.

“So what’s been going on?” Ruby asked while Weiss collected the necessary components.

“My dad took over that weapons deal after it got called off.  I don’t know when or where it’s happening now - they’ll probably lay low for a bit and try to figure out how the police found out.”

“No, I meant…what’s been going on with you?”

“Oh.”  

Weiss cracked an egg into a bowl and felt the tension leave her shoulders.  For some reason, she expected an interrogation, but Winter was right, again.  Ruby was focused on her.  It was so sweet that she might actually cry if she thought about it too hard.

“Not much,” she said before that happened.  “I’ve been at home, mostly.  Hanging out with Whitley.”

“He must be happy about that.”

“Doubtful.  I haven’t been much fun to be around.”  

A frown tried to force its way onto Weiss’ lips, but she shook it away.  That horrible period in her life was in the past.  She should focus on the future now, and the present since she didn’t want to screw up Ruby’s breakfast.

Thankfully, scrambled eggs turned out to be relatively simple.  Once they looked similar to the breakfast that Ruby had always made for herself, Weiss dumped them onto a plate and set them in front of Ruby along with a fork.

“Edible, I hope,” she said, watching Ruby take the first bite.  When Ruby hummed and dug in for another mouthful, satisfaction popped up in Weiss’ chest.  “I’ll wash those later,” she added, waving away the dishes before claiming the barstool beside Ruby. 

While Ruby tore through breakfast, a pile of neatly folded clothing on the sofa caught Weiss’ attention.  Curious, Weiss briefly left the kitchen to see what they were.  As it turned out, it was a stack of navy blue and black sweatshirts, t-shirts, shorts, sweatpants, and a crisp new hat that all had one very defining characteristic: the large, bold ‘SWAT’ emblazoned on them.

“What’s all this?” she asked, holding up the pair of sweats when Ruby looked over.

“Oh.  I got in.”

Ruby flashed a small smile before glancing away.  Weiss, after swallowing her disappointment at being last to find out, quickly returned to the island.  

“Of course you did.”  She gently took Ruby’s hand and kissed her cheek.  “Congratulations.  You deserve it.”

“Thanks.”  Ruby’s gaze flitted to their joined hands before her expression brightened.  “Training’s been kicking my butt though.”

“I thought you looked stronger.”  

Weiss squeezed Ruby’s good arm and bit her lip at the firm muscles lurking there.  Ruby chuckled.

“A blessing in disguise, I guess.  Pretty sure that’s the only reason I survived the past few weeks.  Getting my butt kicked in the gym, then at work, then going out for ‘team bonding’ exercises -”

“Please don’t tell me you started dating one of those bimbos who ran into us at the gym.”

“If I did, this would be pretty awkward, wouldn't it?”  Ruby smiled and nudged Weiss’ elbow before growing serious.  “I thought about you every time I stopped to breathe, so I just…”

“Tried not to breathe?” Weiss joked, diverting Ruby from that somber path, prompting another smile instead.

“Exactly.”

“Well, you’ll get a break from training now, right?”

“Yeah, right,” Ruby scoffed.  “This is hardly a flesh wound.  I’ll be back out there before you know it.”

Weiss’ heart fluttered, yet she forced a sigh.

“Officially, I never want you going back to work again.  Unofficially…that was pretty hot.”

“Kind of like you, huh.”

“You’re saying all the right things…” Weiss murmured before leaning in for a kiss.  When the doorbell rang before that kiss even got off the ground, Ruby tried to pull away but Weiss followed.  “Forget them,” she whispered, perched on the edge of the seat to keep Ruby’s lips without reach.

“It’s probably - Yang though -”

A disgruntled sound slipped through Weiss’ lips when the doorbell rang again, but Ruby giggled and said, “Definitely Yang.”

“She has great fucking timing…” Weiss muttered while hopping to her feet and going to the door.  After throwing it open, she threw on an impatient smile and said, “Can we help you?”

Yang glanced at Weiss’ attire - or lack of it - and brushed past without a hello.  “Brought your favorite,” she said, all smiles for Ruby as she held up a paper bag.  “Found this place over by North Point.  It has to be the one, right?”

Weiss’ brow furrowed, but a smirk snuck onto her lips when Ruby removed a package of chocolate chip cookies from the bag.  “Not right,” she sighed, but she wasted no time tearing open the thin plastic wrapper and biting into the first cookie.  “Still good though!” she announced with a bright smile.

“Ah, well, we’ll get it next time.”  While Weiss held her tongue, not wanting to spoil that secret, Yang claimed the barstool that Weiss recently vacated.  “How do you feel?”  Her lilac gaze flitted to Weiss when Weiss stood by Ruby’s side before focusing on Ruby inhaling cookies.

“Like someone inflated my arm,” Ruby replied before diving into the package for a second dessert.

“It’s pretty badass though.  I haven’t even been shot yet.”

“Is that really something you should be upset about?” Weiss interjected.  

“Do you want to put on pants or something?” Yang snapped back, but Weiss scoffed and flipped a hand through her hair.

“Not particularly.  If you can’t stop looking, that’s your problem.”

“Weiss…” 

Ruby’s pleading tone was all it took for Weiss to sigh and say, “Fine.”  She then went to the living room, grabbed the SWAT sweatpants, and pulled them on.  She considered several retorts about Yang’s wandering eyes but tabled them in the interest of playing nice.  “Happy now?” she asked, flashing a cheeky smile instead.

Yang glared at her before refocusing on Ruby. 

“Everyone at work sends their love and well wishes and everything.  Especially Cassie.  She asked if she should stop by to take care of you.”  Yang chuckled while Weiss arched a brow at Ruby, whose eyes had widened.  “I told her you’d let her know if you needed anything,” Yang concluded.  “But maybe you should give her a chance.  She’s lightyears better than this one.”

Yang jerked a thumb at Weiss, who clamped her mouth shut on at least a dozen rude remarks.  “Cassie, huh,” she mused instead, brushing her hand through Ruby’s hair while Ruby squirmed.  “What’s Cassie’s last name?”

“She, uh, doesn’t have one.”

“Interesting.  That should make her even easier to find.”  When Ruby’s brow rose, Weiss smiled and gently squeezed her shoulder.  “I’m kidding.  But you’ll have to let me know if we’re ever in the same room.”

“What’re you going to do then?” Yang barged in.  “Start a fight?  She’ll kick your scrawny ass.”

Yang was the one trying to start a fight, but Weiss just smiled and said, “No, I’d just make sure she knows that Ruby’s taken.  By me.”  Her smile flickered when Ruby’s arm wrapped around her waist and returned as a genuine smile reserved for Ruby only.

“I’ll point her out, but only if you promise to be nice.”

Caught in Ruby’s adoring gaze, Weiss would have promised anything.  “Of course,” she agreed, returning Ruby’s smile until Yang cleared her throat and stood up.

“If you’re going to keep making eyes at each other, I’m going back to work.  I just wanted to see how you were doing.”

“Doing awesome!  And Weiss is taking great care of me.”  Ruby squeezed Weiss closer and beamed up at her, but Yang rolled her eyes.

“I’m sure she is.  I’ll be back later though, alright?  Don’t get into trouble.”  

When Ruby drew a cute little cross over her heart, Yang smiled.  As soon as Ruby’s attention went elsewhere, however, she jabbed a finger at Weiss and then pointed into the hall.  Sighing at the silent order, Weiss said, “I’ll walk you out,” and followed Yang out of the apartment.  The door hardly closed before Yang spun around and jabbed a finger into Weiss’ chest, sending her backwards into the wall.

“I don’t want you anywhere near my sister,” Yang growled.  “I don’t trust you.”

The accusatory tone would normally set Weiss off.  This morning, she nodded.

“I know.  If I were you, I wouldn't trust me either.”  

Yang blinked, presenting the opportunity for Weiss to say more. 

“I’m sorry that I can’t give you the same honesty I give Ruby.”  Pausing, Weiss squinted and tried to imagine a future where she could open up to Yang, too.  “Not yet at least,” she concluded.  “And I know you probably won’t believe me, but I love her.  I don’t want anything from her other than to be with her.  She makes me happy and…I want to make her happy.  I hope you’ll let me prove at least that much.”

Yang wanted to stay angry - Weiss could tell from the way her jaw worked back and forth and her fists remained clenched - but, deep down, she was just like her sister.

“Fine,” she spit out.  “But I don’t like you or your family.”

“I don’t like my family much either.  Well, my brother and sister are actually decent people.  And I’m not surprised you don’t like me.  I know I’m a bitch.  I know I don’t deserve her -”

“You hurt her,” Yang seethed, and Weiss froze at the sudden renewal of anger.  Yang could probably put Weiss’ head through a wall with that arm of hers, but Weiss wasn’t afraid.  Instead, she tilted her head at the stunning similarity between them.

“I did,” she admitted softly, her heart clenching at that inescapable reality.  “And I’ll be trying to make up for that for a long time.  But Yang…if something ever happened and Ruby needed you - needed us - who would you want on your side?  Some goodie-two-shoes rule-follower too scared to get their hands dirty?  I’ll burn down the entire fucking world for her.  I don’t give two shits about the consequences.  Her happiness is all that matters.”

Yang narrowed her eyes, a scowl firmly entrenched at the thought of Ruby being in that type of danger.  But, as the scenario played out in her mind, the corner of her mouth twitched with a smile.  She didn’t say anything though - she just nodded and left without a word.  

Exhaling as heavy bootsteps faded down the hall, Weiss felt her own small smile threaten to show.  They had more in common than she thought.  At least, they had one very important person in common.

Yang was a good person, but she would do bad things to protect Ruby.  Weiss would do horrible things to protect Ruby, and that was exactly the type of person Yang would embrace in a time of need.  Hopefully that never came to pass, but Weiss would follow through on her word.

Did that make her an awful person?  Perhaps.  But that was a little harder to believe when she returned to the apartment, found Ruby sitting on the sofa, and witnessed a smile spring into being as soon as silver eyes landed upon her.

“Did she let you have it?” Ruby asked as Weiss returned to her.

“She was actually pretty reasonable considering the circumstances.”

“That…doesn’t sound promising…”

Seeing Ruby’s subtly downcast expression, Weiss sat beside her and patted her knee.

“I think she’ll trust me in time.  I just have to…keep proving myself.”  She set her other hand on Ruby’s cheek and tenderly directed that silver gaze to hers.  “And you know how warm and welcoming I am - we’ll be best friends in no time.”

Ruby finally laughed, though it was more of a surprised snort than her typical laugh, and Weiss leaned into her side.

“I’m sorry your sister hates me.  I know you want us to get along so we can go on double dates or let her third wheel us or something.”

“Naw, it’s ok.”  Ruby wrapped her uninjured arm around Weiss’ shoulders and tugged her closer.  “Yang might be stubborn, but she’s not stupid.  She knows that these things can take time.”  After glancing at the photograph on the bookshelf, Ruby said, “As my mom would say, ‘You can’t find a diamond without some digging.’”  She then smiled softly at Weiss while adding, “And you’re a diamond.”

“Fucking hell…” Weiss breathed out, the sincere little comment squeezing the oxygen from her lungs.  “How are you so romantic all the damn time?”  When Ruby just shrugged, Weiss waited a few moments for her heart to slow down before shaking her head.  “Your mom sounds incredible,” she eventually said.  “I wish I could’ve met her.”

“Yeah, me too.  She would’ve liked you.”

“Finally.  A woman with taste.”

“You would’ve hated her though,” Ruby added, laughing as Weiss’ brow furrowed.  “She would’ve seen right through your whole act and called you out on it.”

“‘Act?’  What ‘act?’”

“You know.  The things you do to keep people away.”

“Such as…?” 

“The swearing.  The vulgarity.  The ‘I’m better than you so leave me alone’ vibe.  The overwhelming need for control.  The manipulation -”

“God, Ruby,” Weiss interrupted.  “Why are you dating me?”

“Because underneath all that, you’re incredible.”  Ruby captured Weiss’ hand and held it tenderly in her own.  “You’re generous, caring, loyal -”

“Please stop,” Weiss interrupted, her heart already on the verge of bursting, but Ruby lovingly touched her cheek.

“You’re a good person, Weiss, and you make me happy.  That’s why I’m dating you.  That’s why I love you.”

Ruby might as well have unloaded an entire magazine of armor-piercing bullets into Weiss’ heart.  The indescribable feeling left Weiss wholly unprepared or capable of a worthy response.  At least, she had no idea how to express those emotions as eloquently or gracefully in words… 

“Your arm feels better now, right?” she asked.  Ruby smirked.

“No, but you know I don’t need it.”

“Damn right you don’t.”

Weiss captured Ruby’s lips with hers, trying to convey her love for Ruby through a kiss.  Quickly deciding that a kiss wouldn't be enough, she straddled Ruby’s legs and gently pushed Ruby against the back of the sofa.  They briefly broke apart, Ruby staring up at her with love in her eyes but an adorable little smile on her lips, and Weiss smiled as she slowly leaned back in for another kiss.  She regretted putting on the damn sweats when Ruby’s hand settled on her thigh to steady her, but they wouldn't be on the sofa for long.

That became doubly true when Weiss’ phone buzzed on the coffee table and Ruby broke the kiss.

“Why can’t people leave us the fuck alone?” Weiss sighed while leaning backward - Ruby’s hand slid up her back to support her - and grabbing her phone.  Her frustration disappeared when she saw who sent the message - alarm snapped through her veins when she read it.

‘We need to talk.  Now.’

“Shit…” she muttered under her breath before replying that she would be right there.

“What is it?”

“It’s, uh -”  Her instinct was to lie, but she glanced at Ruby and sighed.  “My dad wants to talk to me, and I’m pretty sure I know what it’s about.”

“What?”

“You.”  Ruby’s brow creased while Weiss reluctantly got up.  “Henry threatened to tell him about us,” she explained as she grabbed her bag and keys.  “After our last interaction, I’m not surprised he did.”

“Want me to come with you?”

“No.”  Ruby had already started getting up, so Weiss gently pushed her back down.  “You’re not moving until I get back.”

“But -”

“No ‘buts.’  You need your rest.  Don’t make me get the handcuffs.” 

Finally, Ruby settled back onto the sofa.  Once confident that she wouldn't try to get up, Weiss grabbed the television remote and set it beside her.  She then refilled Ruby’s water,  grabbed the vial of painkillers, enough snacks to feed a regular person for several days, and Ruby’s gun from the bedroom dresser, and set everything within arm’s reach.

“There,” she said, nodding at her work before pointing to the gun.  “Anyone comes through that door who isn’t me, shoot first and ask questions later.  Other than that, your ass better be right here when I get back.”

“What if I need to use the bathroom?”

“Hold it.”  When Ruby laughed, Weiss set a hand on her knee and kissed her.  “If you’re good, maybe I’ll bring you something special.”

“Like cookies??”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Weiss said before glancing down at herself.  “But I should change first.  I’ll be shot on sight if I go home like this.”

“I think you look cute.”  

Wrapping her good arm around Weiss’ back, Ruby pulled Weiss closer and buried her face in Weiss’ stomach.  Weiss ran her fingers through Ruby’s feathery brunette hair and tried - but failed - not to fall too deeply into the moment.

“You mean incredibly hot and sexy,” she remarked.  Her smile grew when Ruby laughed, the vibrations tickling her stomach.

“That too,” Ruby said before looking up, resting her chin on Weiss’ stomach.  Something mischievous flashed through her silver eyes.  The next second, she lifted Weiss’ shirt and started peppering Weiss’ stomach with kisses.

“Ruby!” Weiss gasped, giggling and trying to squirm away.  “That - tickles!”

Ruby’s hum nearly doubled Weiss over in uncontrollable laughter.  Fortunately, Ruby only had one useful arm at the moment, so Weiss quickly wiggled out of her grasp.  Taking one look at Ruby’s impish grin, Weiss playfully rolled her eyes and went to the bedroom to change into yesterday’s outfit.  The clothes were wrinkled from spending the night on the floor, adding humorously to her vaguely disheveled hair and the blush on her cheeks.  Hopefully, her father wouldn't notice how unkempt she looked - in physical appearance, at least.  Emotionally and mentally, she had never felt more put together.

After returning to the living room, she leaned down and brushed her nose against Ruby’s.  “Save your energy,” she whispered, stealing one more kiss before heading to the door.  “Because we’re going to have sex when I get back.  If you’re feeling up for it of course…”

“What’s another way to say that?” Ruby asked, her playful grin making Weiss pause and tilt her head.

“We’re going to fuck?”

Weiss’ brow furrowed when Ruby burst out laughing.  

“Wow, you don’t have a single romantic bone in your body, do you?”  Before Weiss asked what the hell Ruby meant, Ruby sent her an utterly adoring look and said, “That’s alright though.  Text me if you need anything, ok?  I love you.”

Weiss’ heart seized, so she stood there like a fish out of water before mustering an incredibly lame, “Oh.”  Ruby’s eyes started sparkling, and her smile brightened, so Weiss cleared her throat and opened the door.  “I’m, uh, going to go.” 

She ducked out of the apartment to the sound of Ruby’s laughter, but she paused before pulling the door all the way shut.  A smile slipped onto her lips as she pushed the door open enough to poke her head inside.

“I love you, too,” she said before shutting the door and setting off with Ruby’s giggles as company.

Her smile only faded when she got to her car, and only then because she needed to mentally prepare for the impending conversation.  She had expected it to happen - Henry was a tattling bitch, after all - but not quite so soon.  Perhaps it was better to get it out of the way, but she still drove home like she was on the way to her own funeral.

Honestly, she had no idea how her father would react to her and Ruby’s relationship, and that terrified her.  He was the one person who could, and would, take Ruby from her if he wanted.

She wouldn’t surrender without a fight though.  He might make the rules and expect her to blindly follow them, but he couldn't control her life forever.  It was time for him to start letting go, or she would have to make him. 

But she would rely on logic first: just because Ruby worked for the police didn’t mean their family was at any more risk than with Robyn or a stranger.  If that didn’t work, she would bargain: whatever reasonable conditions her father dictated so that he felt comfortable, she would follow.  She would plead if she had to, appealing to whatever thin strand of familial relationship they shared.

Her final option was a last resort to be used only if she felt Ruby’s life was in danger: she could threaten, or strongly imply, that she might become looser-lipped about the goings-on in their family if not granted her way.  Her hands clenched the steering wheel at the mere thought of how he would react to that and prayed that she wouldn't have to find out.

By the time she strode across the courtyard, her confidence and fear flipped like two sides of a coin.  He should listen to her.  He might do something just to spite her.  He might be happy that she was happy.  He might not care about her happiness at all.

She hardly set foot inside the door before the two people who did care about her happiness rushed over.

“Weiss!”  Whitley’s eyes dashed around the foyer before he leaned close and lowered his voice.  “Dad found out about Ruby, but I didn’t tell him, I swear.”

“I know.”  Weiss patted his shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile before looking at Winter, whose brow couldn't pinch any closer together.  “Is he pissed?”

“I don’t know…he asked if we knew anything, we said no, then he went to the office.”  

A knot formed in the pit of Weiss’ stomach, but she took a deep breath and nodded.

“Guess I’ll find out.”

While they shared a worried glance, she made her way to her dad’s office as if treading barefoot on glass.  Winter and Whitley had both warned her that any relationship with a member of the police department would be frowned upon, but she fell for Ruby anyway.  Now…she hoped that she hadn’t put Ruby in harm’s way any more than she already had.

Reaching the office, she took one last deep breath, which did nothing to slow her increasing heartbeat, before knocking.  “Come in,” her father’s voice prompted her, so she opened the door and walked inside.

Entering her father’s office felt like walking into a tiger’s cage smelling like steak.  Despite the room’s high ceilings, the dark wood paneling seemed to close in on her.  Her father sat behind his massive mahogany desk, poring through reports that could be from any number of businesses.

“You wanted to talk to me?” she asked.  He glanced up before motioning to the chairs in front of him.  She took the right one, perched on the edge, clasping her hands in her lap, and kept her posture rigid while watching him finish whatever he had been working on.

His silence could be a coincidence or a strategy to make her speak first.  If so, it nearly worked - the longer he ignored her, the more pressing her desire to spill every secret so that she didn’t have to wait on knife’s edge any longer.  Eventually, he set his pen down, steepled his fingers in front of him, and met her gaze with his cold, calculating one.

“I spoke to Henry this morning.  He says you’re dating a police officer.”

Her pulse jumped another level, but lying would be pointless.  She nodded and said, “I am.”

“Name?”

She hesitated, loath to reveal Ruby’s identity, but eventually sighed and said, “It’s Ruby.  Officer Rose.  You met her.  She’s the one the department assigned me as protection.”

“Ah.  I wondered if that was the case.”  She tilted her head when he leaned back and tapped his fingertips together.  “She’s a patrol officer if I remember correctly?”

“She was…but she recently joined the SWAT team.”

“Lovely.”  Weiss blinked, then frowned when he stood up and walked over to her.  “I’m proud of you,” he added, setting a heavy hand on her shoulder.  “That’s the type of forward-thinking that will make you a real asset to this family one day.”

“I’m - you’re not upset?” she asked, struggling to follow the conversation as she looked up at him.  “About her job or…about Henry?”

“The Marigolds need us more than we need them.  Infiltrating the department in such an intimate manner though…”  A conniving smile slid onto his lips as abhorrence crawled across her skin.  “Infections start small,” he said, patting her shoulder before returning to his desk.  “Between her and Chief Fowler, you can bring the entire department under your control.  Perhaps even the entire justice system.”

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath as if smelling money in the air.  He released it with a proud smile.

“This will take time, so be patient.  Focus on solidifying your relationship for now, then we’ll discuss next steps.”

“Of course,” she replied automatically, throwing on a perfect smile but shooting out of the room the moment he motioned that she could leave.  She closed the door behind her and practically ran back to the entryway while her mind swam with every imaginable emotion.  

He hadn’t questioned her.  He wasn’t even worried.

And why would he be?  She was the chosen one.  Immeasurable wealth and power were hers for the taking.  Why would she risk it for something meaningless like love?

So caught up in those thoughts, she nearly rushed right past Whitley sitting at the bottom of the stairs.

“Weiss!”  She spun around in surprise when he popped to his feet and hurried over.  “How’d it go?  What’d he say?”

“He said…”  Replaying the conversation, she frowned.  “He said he’s fine with it.”

“Seriously??”

“Seriously.  He just wants me to use her to take control of the police department, but other than that, he gave his blessing.”

“The -?  But that’s -”

Whitley made a face rather than try to explain the horrible pitfalls in that sentence.

“Exactly,” she sighed before shaking her head.  “But that’s a problem for later.  So is Henry, the little snitch.”  She scowled thinking about the boy, who probably wasn’t done being a thorn in her side, before shoving him from her thoughts.  “At least I don’t have to sneak around anymore.  Or worry about her ‘disappearing.’”

“Always a good thing.”  Whitley chuckled before hugging her.  “I’m glad he’s cool with it.  I like nice Weiss.”

“Call me nice again and I won’t be.”  When he laughed at the toothless threat, she patted his shoulder and motioned to the kitchen.  “You didn’t eat all the cookies, did you?”

“Not yet.”

“Good.  I’m taking them to Ruby and then we’re going to fuck until neither of us can walk.”

“Don’t you mean make loveeee?” he teased in a sing-song voice.  The term froze her in place, but she flipped him off and hurried to the kitchen before he noticed her rampant blush.

Ruby was right - she wasn’t romantic.  Yet she responded to romantic gestures as if she was…

So many thoughts tumbled around in her mind that she could hardly focus on one subject.  Deciding that she just needed to get back to Ruby so they could talk about everything, she rushed into the kitchen and snatched a giant stack of chocolate chip cookies from the bakery tray.  She left two for Whitley - because maybe she was a little nice - and was preparing to leave when her mom walked through the doorway.  She frowned at the empty wine glass her mom set on the island.

“Oh, honey.  Your dad’s looking for you.  Hopefully nothing bad.”

“Already talked to him.  Everything’s fine.”

“Good.”  A sigh implied genuine concern, but then she motioned to the wine bottle on the counter behind Weiss.  “Can you pass that to me?”

Weiss rolled her eyes but grabbed the bottle and handed it over.  While her mom tussled with the cork, however, Weiss studied her rather than leave.  They all rolled their eyes at her, viewing her as little more than their drunk mom who grew up rich and spoiled and remained rich and spoiled.  Her father - Weiss’ grandfather - was a good man though.  He raised her.  He must have taught her right from wrong.  He must have taught her how to be good and do good with their wealth.

Maybe Ruby was right.  Maybe drinking wasn’t a habit born out of boredom.  Maybe it was a coping mechanism.  A cry for help from a woman who had, to Weiss’ knowledge, no one to talk to.  A woman who must realize how disappointed her father would be if he knew how their family had turned for the worse.

Pity swirled through Weiss’ veins as she took the bottle, removed the stubborn cork, and returned it.  “Thank you, sweetie,” her mom said, words slightly slurred, before pouring another glass.

Weiss had been raised to look down on those she pitied, but this was her mom.  They might be more similar than she wanted to believe…except that she had Winter, Whitley, and now Ruby to confide in.  Without them, she might seek refuge in the bottom of a bottle, too.  Or worse.

“Have you ever thought about drinking less?” she asked while her mom took a long sip.  When that dim blue gaze settled on her, she lowered her gaze and muttered, “You just…drink a lot.”

“I drink the same as most of the women I know,” her mother replied with a light laugh.

“Maybe they’re drinking too much, too.”  Her mother lowered the glass and squinted at her, so she shrugged and said, “I guess I’d just…like to see the real you sometimes.”

As her mom’s eyes slowly widened and her mouth opened, Weiss’ phone buzzed in her purse.  She made no motion to grab it, offering the opportunity for any type of response, before sighing and seeing what it said.  She smiled when she saw Ruby’s name, and even more when she read the message: Ruby making sure everything was alright then suggesting they order pizza.

“I should go.”  

Weiss slowly backed away, leaving another opening for a reply.  When her mom simply nodded, however, she sighed and left.  At least she said something, she consoled herself while heading to the front doors.  Whether or not her mom did anything with it was out of her hands.  For now, at least.

She couldn't handle every problem at once, and she was already bursting at the seams with things to tell Ruby.  The best part?  She could tell Ruby everything, and they could work through the issues together.  Considering the challenges they had faced so far, she was confident that they could find a solution to any problem, even her dad trying to take over the police department.  Most importantly, she could be honest with Ruby rather than try to lie, cheat, or manipulate her way through it.  It would be a big change, but possibly a great one.

Determined to return to Ruby as soon as possible, she hurried back to her car, smiling to herself.  They had a lot to talk about - over pizza and cookies, apparently - but they were going to have sex first.  Well, they were going to ‘make love.’  Ruby could call it whatever she wanted as long as it ended up with both of them naked in bed.

‘Making love’ didn’t sound so horrible though.  Weiss’ heart faintly thumped at the phrase, and she kept reminding herself to lighten her foot on the gas pedal or risk an irritating delay.  She still made it back to Ruby’s building in near-record time, where she parked in Ruby’s spot and rushed up the stairs while muttering a few swear words directed to building management.  As Ruby’s door drew nearer, however, her excitement and anticipation threatened to overflow.

She had never had someone in her life who made her feel the way Ruby did.  Like she was finally free.  Like someone finally saw her and cared about her out of something other than fear or purchased loyalty.  Now, nothing stood between them.  She couldn't wait to experience the changes their newfound honesty would have.

Being so excited for that moment, she frowned when she tried the handle and remembered that she locked it on the way out.  She briefly considered ringing the bell, knocking, or calling Ruby to open it but dismissed those options out of concern that Ruby might be sleeping - and because it was far simpler for her to retrieve one of the bobby pins from her purse and slide it into the lock.

Several shakes and jimmies later, she opened the door.  Her gaze landed on Ruby almost immediately, and an unstoppable smile was already well on its way to her lips.

“Hey there,” she said before noticing Ruby’s raised brow, wide eyes, and the gun resting on her thigh.

“You can pick locks?”

“Since I was like five,” Weiss huffed, dropping the bobby pin into her purse before joining Ruby on the sofa.  “Don’t tell me that gun’s for me, Officer,” she teased while grabbing the weapon and setting it on the table so that she could take its place.

“It was for whoever was breaking into my apartment.”  Ruby chuckled and looked up as Weiss settled onto her lap.  “How’d it go?  With your dad?”

“He gave his blessing.”  Weiss beamed but, when Ruby’s brow rose, added the ‘bad’ part.  “He thinks I’m using you to get control of the department,” she admitted, deflating despite Ruby’s hand resting on her thigh.  “I don’t plan on doing that, by the way.  I just…didn’t tell him that right now.”

“Probably a smart idea.”  Weiss’ good mood was restored when Ruby’s fingers brushed through her hair and a sincere smile followed.  “Does that mean…?”

“We can be together,” she almost wistfully sighed, already melting into Ruby’s warmth and tender touches.  “Openly.  And without looking over our backs - more than usual, at least.”

“It can’t be that simple, can it?”

Considering that nothing in her life was simple, she doubted that this would break the mold.  The only thing ‘simple’ about it was how easy this felt.  Being near Ruby.  Being with Ruby.  And that was all that mattered to her as she leaned down and gently pressed her lips to Ruby’s.

“I’m not going to question it right now…” she murmured before fading into another delicate kiss.  “We deserve some time to ourselves, don’t we?  To reconnect.  And maybe…”  Her cheeks preemptively flushed.  With Ruby looking up at her so expectantly though - so lovingly - she sucked in a breath, leaned down to Ruby’s ear, and whispered, “And make love?”

When Ruby froze, Weiss thought that she might die of embarrassment.  Before she covered it up with an exceptionally vulgar comment, however, Ruby guided Weiss’ lips back to hers for a searing kiss that set the stage for the rest of their day.