Chapter Eleven: Deo Solus Scit …

Monday, the 11th of November, 1889.

Chief Inspector Jonathan Warren of Special Branch, who'd demanded Hazel to give Qrow Branwen sole credit for the Grimm investigation, wasn't someone who enjoyed being exposed for something. Especially by one of his own, who'd teamed up with a young Scotland Yard inspector set to be promoted in the wake of Hazel's passing and apparent treachery.

But what made his situation even worse is that he'd been given the unenviable position of fronting the resultant political subcommittee into police corruption, ostensibly for his hand in frustrating a crucial investigation by trying to claim credit for Inspector Arc's work. Jaune and Qrow, surprisingly, weren't required to appear before the panel of big wigs; instead, they'd submitted a jointly-authored testimony for the panel to consider, which was seconded by Dr. Pyrrha Nikos.

"Dammit," he said to himself as he walked towards the room, "I'll need a holiday after all this."

As he entered the room, he beheld the three people that were questioning him in front of an empty press gallery. The one closest to the dock, unsurprisingly, was his oldest brother, the previous police commissioner. Sir Charles Warren wore his usual stern expression for the occasion, and his eyes were alight with a certain amount of fury. Jonathan realised pretty quickly that he wouldn't leave today without getting grilled severely by him.

The furthest man from him was the imposingly tall Lord Chancellor, the Rt. Hon. Sir Xavier Ray. His sour, ill-tempered expression indicated that something was going to get burned at the stake in short order if this didn't go quickly or smoothly enough for his liking.

And finally, Prime Minister Lord Ozpin sat at the head of the panel. The middle-aged man looked markedly weary, no doubt still grieving for the loss of Leonard Lionheart. Despite his self-centred state of mind at the time, Jonathan felt a wave of remorse come over him; not least because of his actions unwittingly causing the death of one of his own friends in the force, as well as one of Ozpin's colleagues and closest allies in government. Finally ascending the steps to the dock, Jonathan cleared his throat and prepared the statements he'd composed for the occasion. Composing his appearance, he stood tall and readied himself for the start of the proceedings.

At the stroke of nine-thirty that morning, the inquiry started in earnest. Lord Ozpin opened the dialogue between the panel and the dock.

"Chief Inspector Jonathan Warren, did you willingly try to take credit for the investigation being carried out by Inspectors Branwen and Arc?"

"Not for myself, sir. Instead, I wished for Inspector Branwen to receive instead."

Sir Charles glared nastily at his youngest brother.

"Care to provide the subcommittee a reason for your actions, including shutting it off prematurely?"

Jonathan retrieved his list from the folder he'd dragged into the room.

"There are a couple of reasons for my actions, sirs. First, Inspector Branwen had himself been trying to investigate the Grimm for some time, only turning up that the Tenebrae Club, their erstwhile headquarters, had been attacked deliberately by unknown persons. Then he got called in to help Inspector Arc's investigation. As I understood it, the regular constabulary answers to Special Branch operatives, not the other way around."

"Secondly, the interrogations that Inspector Branwen undertook on Arc's behalf gave us the mistaken impression that the assassin known as Neo Politana was the sole party responsible for the murders of Dr. Arthur Watts and Tyrian Callows. With that evidence corroborated by the remaining Grimm mercenaries, it seemed obvious to close the case there and then. Also, the fact that Branwen had interrogated every last one of the Grimm was another reason for trying to give him sole credit for the investigation. Of course, we didn't know then that the late Chief Inspector Hazel Rainart was in league with the killer."

At this point, the three panellists looked towards each other with expressions that looked undecided. After a pause, Sir Xavier asked Jonathan a question.

"Have you seen and/or heard the joint testimony of Inspector Branwen and Acting Chief Inspector Arc on this matter?"

"No, I have not, sir."

Xavier nodded, and picked up his copy to read out for the benefit of the tribunal. The first half of the testimony was mostly knowledge that Warren himself had been handed the preceding Saturday by Inspector Branwen. The man had been quite thorough in terms of his documentation. The missing gaps were provided by the examination and fact-finding that Inspector Arc had undertaken before getting Special Branch involved in this business. The second half, however, revealed the depths of his late friend's apparent corruption, which he'd inadvertently aided him in.

"According to his diaries, however, Rainart had decided six years ago that what he'd perceived as an endless wave of crime could never be stopped. So, he considered the next best route to dealing with the problem – namely, controlling it – and went about doing just that. Within the following two years, he'd gone and reorganised the Grimm Security Force into the Creatures of Grimm. He'd achieved this with the aid of three individuals – an Egyptian beggar called Emerald Sustrai, a washed out soldier from Yorkshire called Mercury Black, and an unnamed woman that he only described as his assistant.

"The organisation ended up becoming the very face of anarchy and murder in London, either absorbing or destroying their rivals in the immediate area of the Tenebrae Club. Rainart managed to retain a number of lucrative, yet legal contracts by setting apart a number of the more honest mercenaries and assigning them to those contracts. He also plotted to destroy the Grimm before things got out of hand, but wasn't able to prevent the Clockwork Pavilion disaster. Once that happened, Rainart wrote that it was only a matter of days before they were going to be caught by one of many interested parties. So he convinced the three assistants to flee, allowing him to mop up the remains and place himself above doubt. He was aided in this by an assassin under the three's employ – as insurance if Rainart failed, apparently.

"After the murders of Dr. Watts and Mr. Callows, which Rainart openly admitted to committing as his start to mopping up the remainder of the Grimm, he'd planned to pin everything on Neo and escape punishment … only for her to openly admit his involvement when he was making a gramophone of her interrogation. He knew then that he needed to cut her loose and reunite with the other three leaders, which was stopped by Neo's hand at the top of Big Ben. However, Rainart also knew that Inspector Arc would have wanted to continue the investigation, despite the evidence against Neo. A welcome means of avoiding the issue came when Chief Inspector Warren of Special Branch asked to close it off after the arrests and give Inspector Branwen the credit. Rainart noted that he allowed it, even though it was something he'd never have done in any other circumstance."

Warren exhaled a breath he never realised that he was holding. Even though it made him look like a fool, his demands playing straight into Rainart's hands would exonerate him from being punished severely. And after that hearing, he was.

Wednesday, the 4th of December, 1889.

The following month, Dr. Pyrrha Nikos and Chief Inspector Jaune Arc were at a high-class restaurant just north of Canary Wharf, awaiting a lunch of the highest importance. Having heard tell of the wealthy nature of the place, Pyrrha had opted to adorn her tall frame with a maroon, full-length dress which struck a balance between simplicity and elegance. Brown stockings and a matching pair of formal boots set off the look, with her hair worn long underneath her fedora.

The only indication of her adventurous nature was the cloak she'd worn into the restaurant. Being a proper lady, she'd checked it into the cloak room, along with a pair of items she'd not intended to show the other guests. Jaune, meanwhile, simply wore his black three-piece suit with a white dress shirt and an azure tie.

Having sat down in the private booth they booked, the couple were idling time before their guests were due to show up, which was fast approaching.

"Do you think he's really serious about all this?", Pyrrha asked quietly.

Jaune looked firm in response. "He might have done some nasty things in his life, but I've never known him to go back on his word. So he'll likely make an effort to rebuild things, if only for your and my mother's sakes."

As he finished saying this at the stroke of twelve, the front doors opened, allowing Colonel Sir Noirtier Arc and Lady Xanthe Arc to walk in. The Colonel, as usual, wore his military dress uniform, while Xanthe had opted for a golden-hued, floor length dress.

As Pyrrha rose from her seat, Jaune stood forward from the table to greet them, with Lady Arc taking the lead by embracing Jaune first.

"Good to see you well, my son."

"Likewise, mother."

Turning his gaze to meet his father's, Jaune offered his father a handshake. Noirtier, to his credit, returned the handshake with stern approval etched on his face.

"Congratulations on the promotion, son."

Jaune smiled happily, finally receiving something sorely lacking in his life until that point.

"And who's that young woman with you, Jaune?"

Jaune beamed as he beckoned his lover towards his parents.

"Mother, father, I introduce you two to my girlfriend, Dr. Pyrrha Nikos. Archaeologist, adventurer and researcher at Exham Museum. Pyrrha, meet Colonel Sir Noirtier Arc and Lady Xanthe Arc, my parents."

Jaune could never have asked for a better reconciliation between him and his parents – even the quality of French cuisine on offer was top-notch. Lady Xanthe had greeted Pyrrha exactly like she'd greeted the three young men who'd married her oldest three daughters – with a level of enthusiasm and warmth seldom seen in the aristocracy. Given her innate ability to read people, she'd instantly noted Pyrrha's suitability for her son, and said as much to Jaune when Pyrrha had adjourned to the ladies' room.

And much to their mutual surprise, Sir Noirtier had apologised to his son for his behaviour. As he'd admitted to Jaune, the Colonel now realised that his son's career in the police force was a good move in the long run, and even said that both he and Pyrrha were welcome in both their properties. Of course, he'd also approved of Pyrrha as a romantic partner, and even asked about her 1888 expedition with Baillet and Bénédite. Much to her surprise, Pyrrha found him to have a keen eye for archaeology, which the soldier had pursued as a hobby throughout his campaigns in foreign lands.

Just over two hours later, Jaune and Pyrrha were strolling arm-in-arm towards the Stepney station, intending to catch the next tube home after the reconciliation.

"You know," Pyrrha said gently, "I'm glad things turned out the way they did. I just wish Arthur had survived the murder attempt, if only so he could see the pair of us together."

Jaune turned to her with a look of agreement.

"Likewise. I wish I'd known him as you did; he seemed to be a decent man, all things considered."

Pyrrha nodded as her arm slinked around the small of Jaune's back.

"Yes, he was. But he was only half the man that you are on your worst days, Jaune."

Jaune blushed a shade of red that matched Pyrrha's auburn hair and returned her compliment.

"That still makes me a third of the person you are, my beloved."

Pyrrha laughed giddily and kissed her partner on the cheek as they strode past the Limehouse fish markets. Suddenly, a bizarre sight caught Pyrrha's peripheral vision, and she spun around reflexively.

"Jaune, look where I'm pointing!"

His gaze shifted as Pyrrha's mouth dropped. There was Ruby, the young scythe-obsessed girl, holding aloft an enormous red scythe with an elephant gun's barrel at the top. She lowered it into a live fish barrel and hefted up a man with a breathing tube, with the help of a blonde half-Asian who seemed physically stronger than Jaune. Pyrrha's gaze locked onto to Jaune's face, and she quickly surmised that he knew these people.

Wait a minute, Pyrrha realised, that Ruby girl must have brought Jaune along to see me that night! I guess I owe her my thanks. Jaune and Pyrrha walked on over to observe the commotion, which had drawn a small crowd. Jaune recognised the man in the barrel; Warren Burgundy, the notorious burglar. Clearly, Jaune wryly observed, the two-hundred guineas on offer were enough to entice this dynamic duo to take action.

As they drew ever closer, the pair heard the tail end of Yang's conversation with the burglar as Ruby cuffed him around a drain pipe.

"How did you manage to spot me?"

"Oh, come on, it was obvious! Even I know that Burgundy doesn't go with fish."

Pyrrha chuckled heartily at that; she sensed a kindred spirit of irreverence in the blonde brawler. To her surprise, it was Jaune who struck up the conversation first.

"Well, it makes sense for him to defy that convention; hiding out here is perfect for such a sus-fish-ious character."

That produced a larger amount of laughter from Pyrrha, the crowd and the blonde woman, as well as a groan from the red-bedecked huntress.

"Is it really your prerogative to be a bad influence on Jaune's taste in jokes, Yang?"

Yang snorted derisively. "Well, hey and excuse me Ruby; I just like puns!"

Turning to Jaune and Pyrrha, Yang and Ruby walked up demurely.

"Good to see you again Jaune," Yang said cheerily. "Congratulations on the promotion, by the way!"

"Why thanks, Yang."

"Care to introduce me to your friend over here?", Yang asked whilst indicating Pyrrha.

"Very well. Yang, this is Doctor Pyrrha Nikos of Exham Museum. Pyrrha, meet professional huntresses Yang Xiao Long, and … well, you've already met Ruby Rose."

Pyrrha smiled brightly as she shook their respective hands.

"Pleased to meet you, Yang, and good to see you again, Ruby. Now I now why you were drooling at the ancient scythe in the gallery that night."

Jaune and Yang both started sniggering as Ruby blushed purple in embarrassment.

"Well, ah, I was already planning to make my weapon a scythe with a built-in elephant gun, but I needed inspiration for the shape and weight distribution. Yang gave us the tickets to your gallery opening, and I found inspiration in that scythe."

Pyrrha nodded. "Well, I'm glad to have helped you make such a masterly weapon. By the way, how do you two know the good inspector over here?"

"We've been family friends with Jaune for most of our lives, actually," Yang replied.

"Well," said Pyrrha mischievously, "I do hope you two don't plan to pinch him from me."

After the sisters exchanged surprised glances at this piece of news, Yang threw her head back and laughed at the idea of either her or Ruby fancying Jaune, then congratulated the happy couple. Ruby's jaw, meanwhile, had hit the pavement for realising that asking Jaune to chaperone her last month had led to someone she admired finding love.

"I'm so happy for the pair of you!", Ruby responded giddily.

Pyrrha smiled and blushed as Jaune kissed her cheek.

"Shall we invite them to yours tonight?", he whispered into her ear.

Pyrrha nodded almost imperceptibly. "We may as well, Jaune."

"Hello, new friends!"

The four looked towards the new voice. Nora Valkyrie was dressed in her salmon hunting costume and white boots, with a parasol over her left shoulder. Magnhild hung in its compact form off her left hip.

"Nora!", Yang and Ruby sing-songed as the Irish woman hugged them.

"How come you guys know each other?" asked Jaune as Nora shook his hand.

"Well, we huntresses gotta stick together!", Yang joked. "Seriously though, Nora and I met a fortnight after the storm over Westminster – as it turned out, we go to the same blacksmith for supplies and repairs. Ruby here then took a joint mission with Nora by sheer happenstance a week ago, and we got friendly with each other."

"Well, that's funny," Pyrrha began. "I also met Nora through that blacksmith as well. By the way, you three," she added, "myself and Jaune were wondering if you were available to join us over dinner tonight. Are you all free?"

"I'm definitely free, Pyrrha," Nora said in her excitable manner. Ruby and Yang merely exchanged glances, and nodded.

"We'll be there. Whereabouts is it?"

"Don't worry about that, Yang," replied Jaune; "just make your way to the Kensington High Street tube station by seven, and we'll meet you there."

"Sounds like a plan," Ruby agreed. "We'll need a hand hauling this guy off first, though," she added, nodding at the fuming Burgundy.

"I can help you two there," Nora offered, unholstering Magnhild from her belt.

"A smithing hammer with a Dust blaster inside it?", Yang asked quizzically.

"Not by half, it isn't," said Nora dangerously, transforming her weapon into warhammer mode.

"That is so cool, Nora!", said Ruby dizzily as Yang nodded in approval.

"What about you, Doctor? Do you have a weapon that you use on your expeditions?", Ruby asked sweetly.

Pyrrha confidently smirked. "Just these two little marvels."

Pyrrha unstrapped and equipped Milό and Akoúo̱ from underneath her maroon cloak, then switched Milo into its sword mode – this time though, the stock retracted into itself and the hilt; Neptune had spent weeks designing that.

"Sweet weapon, doc," Yang said brightly. Meanwhile, Ruby was soundly awestruck with her new favourite weapon – asides from Crescent Rose, of course.

"OHMYGODthatissupercrazyawesome! We should definitely train together sometime!"

The others chuckled at Ruby's innocent excitability for weapons.

"Well, I've got a reasonably-sized backyard behind my townhouse," Pyrrha explained, "so we could work up an appetite before dinner is served."

"Sounds good!", Yang affirmed. "Well, we'd better get going; Nora, care to give us a hand?"

"Sure thing, Yang!", the ginger bombardier replied.

As Nora helped the sisters deliver their bounty, Jaune and Pyrrha walked towards the Stepney train station, with Pyrrha leaning her head on Jaune's shoulder as they waited in line for tickets. The two shared tender smiles, and Pyrrha reached up and kissed Jaune's left cheek. His ecstasy was evident as he spoke his mind to the woman he loved.

"God only knows what I'd be without you, Pyrrha."

A/N: The title and song for this chapter are one and the same: "God Only Knows", which is probably the best song the Beach Boys ever did.

Thanks to every last one of you who viewed, favourited, reviewed and enjoyed this experience. I sincerely hope that I've added a worthy fic to the Belladonna Lilies AU, and I had an amazing time writing all of this. I'd once again like to thank the original creator of Belladonna Lilies, DezoPenguin, for allowing the addition of this fic to his work.

If you liked what you've just read, then please hit up Belladonna Lilies and Burning Gold, the original two fics in the AU. Reading my other fic, Goodbellas, would be cool as well.