Author's Note: Well, I said that it might be a day or two or it might be less. I just couldn't stop my hands from typing! I LOVE THIS STORYLINE AS MUCH AS YOU GUYS DO! Anyway, this story is a collection of short stories that will detail the lives of Teams RWBY and JNPR (and SSSN and CFVY) and some of the other characters before Part II. They won't necessarily be in any chronological order. The next chapter will be Blake's proposal and the chapter after that will be some Velvet/Yatsu fluff. There will be a Pink Lotus chapter and probably an Arkos chapter. I'm going to avoid and overly sexual stuff for these chapters, just as a headsup. Don't worry though! There will be more smut in Part II.

Thank you guys, sincerely, for all of the amazing feedback you've given me. I hope you enjoy this short interlude before Part II begins. Make sure to follow this story, because I might add to it here and there. Any one-shots I write that fit into this AU will be added to this story.

-Adam Beck

Keep Moving Forward

24 Days After Cinder's Invasion

Almost a month had passed since Cinder's invasion and Ruby was finally being released from the hospital. The doctors weren't too happy about it, but being a big damn hero had its perks. Ruby had asked Jaune how he wanted to do it, and he'd decided that the only person he wanted there was Ruby. Ruby understood and Pyrrha's anticipation danced across the Gauntlet as traces of Maroon's light. She was eager to return to her body. Ruby would miss the feeling of the young huntress's presence, but she was also looking forward to gaining her friend back. Pyrrha and Ruby had never been that close, but after her time in the Gauntlet, they'd gotten used to each other's company.

Pyrrha could only communicate through emotions and the occasional mental image, so Ruby would have a one-sided conversation and Pyrrha would do her best to answer using what was available to her. Ruby patted the Gauntlet as the doctors did one final check up on her. Knowing how Ozpin would feel, Ruby had expressly forbidden the doctors from poking and prodding at the armor that adorned her right arm. Dr. Doireann and Dr. Turtleton finished their final examinations and unhooked the last electrode from Ruby's chest.

"Well, everything checks out, Miss Rose," said the shorter, dark-haired man. "If you begin to feel weak or dizzy, I want you to call us, okay?" Ruby nodded and the younger, dark-skinned surgeon reached out to fistbump Ruby.

He and Ruby grinned at each other. "You take care now, Ruby. Okay? You're an amazing young woman. I like you enough to hope I never see you again."

"Got it, Turtlehead." The surgeon laughed and Jim cocked his head to the side, lost in one of his fantasies.

Ruby and Dr. Turtleton rolled their eyes and Ruby leaned over to flick him on the nose. "You were imagining him with a turtle's head, weren't you?" Ruby asked.

"Dude, you'd look great with a turtle's head. But I got dibs on your shell," was Jim's non sequitur. Turtleton shook his head and draped his arm over his friend's shoulder.

"Come on, JD, let's go. Take care, Ruby!" The two doctors exited the room and Ruby set to work changing into the outfit that Weiss had brought her: dark black jeans and a white t-shirt with a black Schnee logo on the right breast. As she laced up her knee-high black combat boots, she heard a small knock at the door.

Jaune stood, smiling shyly at Ruby. As always he walked up and kissed her hand gently, saying his hello to Pyrrha first. Ruby blushed lightly and grinned at Jaune. The boy had this new confident charm about him and Ruby found it almost irresistible. "Jaune Arc, if we both weren't already claimed, I think I'd scoop you up myself," Ruby said, giggling softly. Her Gauntlet pulsed and a sharp electrical pain ran through her arm. "Ouch! Sorry, Pyrrha. I'll keep my eyes to myself. Yeesh." She rolled her eyes at Jaune and they grinned.

Jaune held his arm out and Ruby took it, wobbling only slightly after nearly a month in bed. He guided her down the hall to Pyrrha's room. A young nurse finished checking up on Pyrrha before exiting the room. Jaune went over to the comatose body of his girlfriend. Even after several weeks in a hospital bed, fed by IVs and being poked and prodded by needles, Pyrrha still looked as beautiful as ever. Her olive skin had paled slightly and she'd lost weight from the slight malnutrition, but that would soon turn around. Ruby was uncertain of what to do. Was there supposed to be a ceremony? Should she say a few words? The Gauntlet hummed and Ruby decided to trust the device.

Jaune held Pyrrha's hand and Ruby started at her feet. She ran the gauntlet over the body and Pyrrha's soul clamored in desperation. As Ruby reached her chest, the Gauntlet suddenly lit up with bright red energy. The device seemed to come to life on its own and Ruby found herself pressing the armor against Pyrrha's chest. Closing her eyes, Ruby reached out mentally and the Gauntlet linked to her psyche. She saw a small, ghostly Pyrrha standing on her forearm. She wore a red dress, the same that she'd sported at the prom, and she smiled at Ruby. With a deep bow, Pyrrha turned and ran along Ruby's arm before jumping off of her fingers and back into her own body.

Ruby opened her eyes and Pyrrha's fluttered open as well. Sucking in a deep breath, Pyrrha coughed and weakly reached out to Jaune. He was there in a heartbeat, holding her and comforting her. Ruby stepped back and smiled at the two.

When Jaune turned to thank Ruby, the girl was gone. Jaune smiled and thanked her, mentally, before turning back to the freshly revived girl in his arms. Pyrrha was crying now and Jaune hugged her tightly. Pyrrha buried her face in her boyfriend's shoulder. "I missed you so much, Jaune. It was so dark for so long. I never thought I'd see you again. It was awful. Every time she used my powers, I felt it eat at me a little more. I think…" She took a deep, shuddering breath. "I think that if I'd stayed there any longer, she would've used me up until there was nothing left."

"It's over now, Pyrrha. Ruby saved you."

Pyrrha nodded fiercely and kissed Jaune's cheek, her tears still streaming down her face. A soft thumb wiped them away and she found her face being caressed by Jaune's gentle touch. She leaned into his hand, joy and peace overtaking the darkness that had haunted her. "I love you, Jaune."

"I love you, too, Pyrrha."

They held each other for a long time, occasionally kissing, until a nurse interrupted with water for Pyrrha.

Outside, Ruby smiled gently and thanked the nurse when she exited the room. As she walked towards the exit, she saw Weiss waiting for her. The heiress smiled when she saw Ruby and immediately took her hand. As their fingers interlaced, the white-haired girl felt her fingers brush the ring she'd given to Ruby. She smiled and leaned her head on the now-taller girl's shoulder. "How is my big hero holding up?"

Ruby turned her head and kissed Weiss's hair. "It'll be weird, not having Pyrrha constantly there, but I'm glad she's back for real. How are you? You didn't tell me that you'd been poisoned. Jim had to tell me."

Weiss flushed red and avoided Ruby's accusing stare. "It wasn't that big of a deal. I was only in the hospital for three days." She fidgeted with Ruby's fingers and the taller girl sighed and leaned into Weiss.

"I'm glad you ended up being okay."

"Me too."

As they walked back to their dorm, Weiss finally brought up what she'd been avoiding for twenty-four days. "So…two years…"

Ruby stiffened, dreading what she thought was next. "Y-yeah…?"

"You're taller."

"I am."

Weiss looked down at the ring that adorned Ruby's finger and the one that sat upon her own. When she'd stepped through the portal, dressed for war and ragged from months of training, the ring was the only part of her that shone as brightly as the day Weiss had given it to her.

"You're the same age as me now."

"Weiss…" Ruby choked up slightly, afraid of what her girlfriend was leading up to.

"Your boobs are bigger."

Ruby stopped and gaped at Weiss. "That's what you're concerned about?" she asked incredulously. "Gods, Weiss, I thought you were trying to break some horrible news to me about us not being able to be together anymore or something like that."

Weiss raised an eyebrow and giggled. "Well, if your boobs get any bigger, we might have to talk."

"Oh, please. You'd never survive without me." Ruby elbowed Weiss and the pair dissolved into laughter.

As they approached their dorm, Weiss turned to Ruby. "Hey, one favor, in all seriousness."

Ruby turned and gave Weiss a sideways look, curious as to the sudden shift into serious-mode. "Okay?"

"Don't make me have to survive without you. I almost lost you once, don't make me lose you again." Weiss's hand clenched Ruby's shirt and she stood up on her tip-toes, leaning into Ruby, their lips pressing together softly. Ruby's arms enveloped the now-smaller girl and she deepened the kiss. A moment later, they pulled apart and Ruby cocked her head to the side, channeling her inner Yang, she grinned at Weiss.

"I promise, Weiss."