Epilogue

"You three don't have to follow me, you know."

As if to punctuate her words, Weiss increased her stride, putting her slightly ahead of her teammates. Of course, they simply walked faster to keep up with her.

"Aww come on, Weiss!" Yang said. "Didn't you miss us?"

"I did," Weiss confirmed. As she did so, she eyed the buildings around her, looking for any potential threat. "But now isn't really the best time . . ." The reminder made her pick at her dress. She refused to ask her teammates if she looked good. She wasn't that insecure.

"Don't worry, Weiss!" Ruby said. "Ilia won't get the wrong idea seeing us!"

Weiss glared at her, keeping it soft enough to show she wasn't serious. "It's not that! I'm just . . . not used to revealing myself to other people.

Poor word choice, and Yang seized the opportunity. "Ohhh." She leaned forward, an infuriating smirk on her face. "Can't even wait for us to leave before getting saucy, eh?" Blake elbowed her. "Ow!"

"We're just looking out for you, Weiss," Blake said. "It makes us feel better to be nearby after all that's happened. Especially with how the city is right now."

Weiss conceded that point to her, and once again she looked at every corner of the Vale city street. Any one of them could be hiding a Grimm.

She sighed. Vale wasn't an easy place to live in right now, especially considering the dragon nearby. Weiss could see it, in the distance, hovering over Beacon. It drew Grimm to the school, Grimm which passed through Vale. Sure, it was only the occasional Grimm, but it was enough that many citizens had chosen to evacuate. These days, half the people Weiss saw walking down the street would have a weapon with them.

Weiss still preferred it over Atlas, and she wouldn't go back yet, not until she had done her part to help. What was her father going to do, disown her? After her miraculous survival? The media would run rampant with that.

You'll antagonize him for when you get back, a small voice reminded her. The rest of her said she'd be fine. If her plan went well, Ilia would've by her side. And it would go well. Weiss refused any alternative.

"Will you all be fine in Menagerie?" Weiss asked. She had mentioned her plan to her team, and Blake said she had been meaning to return home. That Weiss needed the support of the White Fang on her side only further convinced Blake.

"We'll be fine!" Ruby assured her. "We'll go to Menagerie, get support there, then head to Mistral and see what's up. Piece of cake."

"Yeah," Yang added. "We've got this." Her expression sombered. "But you're sure you can't come with us?"

Weiss sighed. We just reunited, and already I have to leave them again.

"I'm sorry," she said. "Ilia's White Fang faction will need my support," Weiss said. "We're actually going to be planning our next step today."

Yang made a face. "Talking about work on the first date? Bleh."

"Well," Weiss said with a smile, "we'll have plenty of time for more. Speaking of which . . ."

They stopped outside the cafe. Weiss could see Ilia inside, already seated. The sight of her in jeans and a gray shirt made Weiss' heart skip a beat, and her blue and red skirt suddenly felt inadequate.

Weiss turned to her teammates and opened her arms. They shared amused smiles before accepting the group hug.

"I missed you guys so much," Weiss said. "Ilia is the best girlfriend I could ask for, but you're my team. My family."

"Aww, Weiss, that's so sweet!" Ruby couldn't help but shout.

Weiss rolled her eyes and pushed them away. "Alright, the moment's ruined. Get going. See you tonight?"

"Of course," Blake said.

"Definitely," Yang added.

"I'll prepare snacks!" Ruby rushed off to do just that.

"Ruby, wait!" Yang called out. She shook her head before running that way. "See you later, Weiss!"

Weiss met the eyes of her last teammate. Blake nodded. She was ready for what would come next, even if it meant facing her past.

Weiss entered the cafe to the sound of footsteps running off behind her. Her steps brought her to a table in the corner of the room. The moment Ilia entered her vision, she froze. Ilia's ponytail was elegant without the girl even trying, and the spots on her skin were worth gushing over on their own. How had Weiss been lucky enough to find such a perfect girlfriend?

Ilia smiled, and the world itself was held in that expression. "You look beautiful," Ilia said as she rose from the chair.

Weiss gave Ilia a soft smile of her own. "I was going to say the same to you."

They embraced, probably for far longer than necessary. In that moment, Weiss decided that she would never get tired of Ilia's hugs.

They eventually separated, though not before a few kisses were exchanged. When they sat down, Weiss didn't bother looking at the menu, having already chosen her meal ahead of time.

"How are things with the White Fang?" Weiss asked.

Ilia sighed taking a sip of her water. "I have everyone I trust looking for the remnants of Adam's faction. They're accepting my rule, and even toning down the violence, but no one likes the idea of going to Atlas."

"I figured such," Weiss said. "But if we join the Vale and Atlas branches into a peaceful group, they'll get the change they want."

"Are you sure your father will let you get away with endorsing us?" Ilia asked. At Weiss' mischievous grin, she shook her head. "You already have a plan, don't you?"

"Let's just say that thanks to my sister, I've been in contact with General Ironwood. This will work. In fact, I may want to talk to the Faunus you've gathered soon. A sign of trust will go a long way."

"You've got it all figured out," Ilia said, putting her hand on Weiss'. "We'll talk more about it later. Let's enjoy our meal."

A waiter came, and they ordered. No matter what the meal's quality was, Weiss would give him a massive tip for staying in the dangerous city.

Waiting for their meal, Ilia and Weiss exchanged stories. Weiss told Ilia of the trouble she got into in the manor, while Ilia introduced Weiss to a more natural side of the White Fang, where they would drink and play games. Hearing Ilia's stories, Weiss swore to restore the White Fang to what it once was.

Their talking continued into the meal, and it went by in a flash. Soon, they were exiting the cafe and walking on the street, arms linked together.

"To the park?" Weiss asked. Ilia nodded her agreement.

For a minute, they walked in silence, content with simply being by each other's sides. There was one question Weiss wanted to ask though, and after milling it over in her head, she broke the silence.

"Why me?" she asked.

"Hm?" Ilia turned to face Weiss.

"What made you fall in love with me of all people?"

Ilia's eyes widened. "Do you even need to ask? You're beautiful, Weiss. Not just physically. You gave me a chance despite me being your family's sworn enemy. You trusted me with who you really were, when I wouldn't even talk to you at first. I still can't believe you didn't hate me."

"I could never hate you!" Weiss separated their arm link so that she could grasp Ilia's hand between the two of hers. "Even when we fought, it was clear there was more to you. Every action screamed you were hurt, and I wanted to help you."

Ilia put her other hand over Weiss'. "That's why I love you."

"Ilia . . ." Weiss blinked away the tears that had formed in her eyes. "I love you. I'll never stop saying that. I love you so much."

Ilia smiled. "Come on," she said. "The park's right around the corner."

She was right. They turned the corner, and made it to an open field, the sunset blazing before them. They held hands and sat on the field together.

"I never thought," Weiss said. "That I would be glad to have been stranded for so long." She met Ilia's gaze, hoping the other girl could see the sincerity in her eyes. "I would do it all again, as long as I had you at the end of it all."

Ilia giggled. "Stop it. Since when were you one to throw out cheesy lines? You're lucky they're working."

In response, Weiss pecked Ilia on the lips. "The closest I've gotten to romance were forced relationships by my father. I just . . . need to prove that this is different."

"Weiss . . ." Ilia leaned in for another kiss, this one lasting far longer than the previous ones. That moment alone was better than any she had experienced in over seventeen years. It meant more than any gift on her birthdays, any time Klein had tucked her into bed. It was even greater than when she had realized how much she cared for her team. It was a moment that Weiss wanted to last an eternity. Just the two of them, free from the stress the future would bring.

"So," Ilia said when they separated. They still kept their arms wrapped around each other, and Weiss repositioned herself to be sitting in Ilia's lap. "We reform the White Fang in Vale, challenge and change the branch in Atlas, gain enough support to back Mistral, and stop our enemies' plans before they can cause any more damage. You sure know how to treat your girlfriend."

"Do you think we can do it?" Weiss asked, real concern in her voice. She had no illusions of her position in the world. She and Ilia were only two people, with far less power than those who controlled the world.

Ilia tightened her grip on Weiss. "We can," she said. "Together."

It was true. No matter what came next, the two of them would be together. If one ever fell, the other would be there to pick them up. That's what love was. Unending care and support for each other.

Weiss and Ilia were seemingly opposites. They should have had every reason to hate each other. But it was what truly mattered that made them alike. The worlds they came from may have been different, but the effects those worlds had on them were the same. They had been left broken, but better for it. And that had created a bond which would never break.

Whatever challenges came next, they would face head on.

That, they promised.

A/N: I've already said most I needed to in the last two chapters, so I'm just going to say thanks so much for reading, and for the incredible feedback. I really enjoyed bringing this story to you guys and reading your reviews. It means the world to me that you all gave this story a chance. And as long as you enjoyed it, I've done my job.