"You're getting sloppy." Roman Torchwick scowled up at his raven-haired companion as she took a seat beside him.

"I'm getting sloppy? Look Cinder, I'm not the one who got my ass handed to me by a little girl. How was I supposed to know that the men I hired couldn't fight their way out of a paper bag?"

"That 'little girl' was a huntress in training," Cinder shot back coldly. "Accompanied by Glynda Goodwitch, the deputy headmistress of Beacon Academy. When you started working for me, Roman, I expected you to be able to complete the jobs I assigned you, and to do it with a level of discretion. Now, I don't know what you did, but you somehow managed to attract the most dangerous enemies possible in Vale. And this isn't the first time I've had to pull you out of the fire, either. You're proving to be a bit of a disappointment."

Roman's replay was cut off by an uncomfortable groan from the bullhead he was piloting. "Cinder, I appreciate your concern for my safety after that harrowing encounter, but this really isn't a good time for me. I'm a little busy trying to control this thing. Or would you prefer that we crashed into the city?" Cinder glared at him, but remained silent as Roman struggled with the control stick. An uncomfortable silence remained between the two as the bullhead flew over the dark city, trailing a line of smoke.

Later

Roman brought the ship to a very bumpy landing back at his headquarters. He let out a deep breath. The flight had been rougher than he cared to admit. The bullhead had been so badly damaged in the fight that it had barely made it back in one piece. Fortunately, Roman thought, he had managed to hide his problems controlling the ship.

"Cutting it a bit close weren't you?" Roman glared at his employer, then stalked out of the cockpit.

"You huntresses and your light shows. Maybe if you had tried to be a bit more cautious, I wouldn't have to navigate this free-falling hunk of junk over the city!" He slammed his cane, Melodic Cudgel, against the side of the ship for emphasis.

Not bothering to wait for Cinder, Roman stormed across the landing pad and threw open the doors to the main room of his base. He glared at the remaining thugs, who were moving boxes of dust around the open area. They were all still wearing those ridiculous red-tinted sunglasses. He couldn't stand the sight of them. I need a drink, Roman decided. Walking up the stairs to his office, he was stopped by one of the thugs. "Hey Roman, what happened to Miles and the others?" It was a simple enough question, but it made Roman stop in his tracks. He closed his eyes and slowly took a deep breath. Breathe Roman. In and out. Count to ten. 1...2…Oh screw it.

"You're all fired! Get out! Get back to that little rat hole you call a club! And no! I won't be paying you! I don't give money to incompetents! And if your boss, Junior, has a problem with that, well he can go-"

"Go take things up with me," interrupted Cinder smoothly, still coming through the doors from the landing pad. "Hei Xiong is smart enough not to try and contradict me. Tell him that Cinder Fall sends her regards." Roman rolled his eyes as the rest of his men moved uncertainly towards the exit. He quickly climbed the stairs to his office and entered, slamming the door behind him. Groaning as he slumped down in his chair, Roman pulled a bottle and glass from one of his desk drawers. He poured himself a glass of gin. A very large glass of gin. Roman managed to get maybe a minute of peace and quiet with his drink before Cinder entered his office.

"I don't suppose you're here to give me a pat on the back and a week's vacation?"

"Roman, I have business to attend to outside of Vale. I will be gone for several months."

"So I do get time off?"

"No, Roman. I still have assignments for you here. But I no longer trust you to be able to perform successfully."

"I don't suppose you'll tell me what this important overseas business of your is exactly?"

"No. I will be assigning you someone to work with for the foreseeable future. Think of her as a bodyguard or a partner, I don't care. But she will be responsible for keeping things running smoothly when you inevitably screw things up again."

"Of course, why wouldn't you keep me in the dark- wait, what? No, you're not sticking me with some babysitter. I can handle things here on my own! I don't need anyone to watch my back! There's no way in hell that's gonna happen! You're being ridiculous!" Cinder quelled his outburst with a glare.

"She will be arriving tomorrow. Along with the details of your next assignment. It's one that requires your…special talents. So, no slacking off!" She turned and sauntered out of the room. Roman couldn't even bring himself to admire the view. Instead he just refilled his glass of gin and dropped his head into his hands. There was no way he was going to let any minion of Cinder's into his base.

The Next Day

Roman stared, open mouthed at the petite, pink-clad girl perched cross-legged on the edge of his desk.

"Oh you have got to be kidding me."

Author's Note: This is my first attempt at fanfiction, so tell me what you think. Criticism is appreciated

Fun Fact: In my notes this chapter is called 'Escape from Episode One' but I figured that was too long