Blake tried to be an understanding girlfriend. Supportive, even. But some things… Some things just crossed the line.

"You want me to what?" she asked incredulously.

"Help us bathe Zwei!" Ruby chirped nonchalantly.

"Ruby… little rose… sweetie…" The raven-haired girl sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You know I do not get along with that… thing."

"Yep, and this is your chance to bond!" the brunette continued, gathering up the supplies they'd need. "Besides, Pyrrha and I will be there, you won't even have to touch him! Just, y'know, get used to being around him some!"

A small mewl escaped Blake's lips at the thought of being trapped in the small bathroom with the slobbering demon spawn, even with her girlfriends there to protect her…

And then her panicked vision was filled with pools of silver, Ruby's eyes filled with warm caring and understanding. "I'm not gonna force you or anything, kitty cat," she said softly. "I just… thought maybe you could try? If you don't think you can, then don't worry about it." The brunette smiled sweetly. "It's okay."

Blake sighed, deflated by the brunette's loving understanding. "You really want me there?" she murmured uncertainly. Stay strong! He is your mortal enemy!

"Please?"

Oh, Dust-damn it all, now that I can't resist...

"...Fine," she muttered, grabbing hold of the towels in Ruby's hand. Her girlfriend let out a happy squeal and wrapped her strong arms around her midsection, squeezing tightly.

"Thank you Blake, I love you so much!"

"I love you too, little rose," Blake sighed with a reluctant smile. "Just… I'll be in the back, handing you what you need."

"Sounds good! C'mon, Pyrrha already has him in there, waiting for us!"

The pair headed from the hall closet over towards the bathroom. Ruby carefully opened the door and slipped through, Blake on her heels and closing the door shut behind them.

The leggy redhead was sitting cross-legged on the floor, dressed in shorts and a tank top as the rest of them were. She was cooing and petting the furry monster, who was on his back with his stubby little legs in the air, tongue lolling out of his mouth and vicious teeth exposed to the world.

Et tu, Pyrrha?

"Oh! Hello, kitty cat," Pyrrha greeted her warmly. "Are you here to help?"

"Er… more like supervise. From way back here." She glanced behind her nervously. "In fact, I think this counter will make a nice perch."

Ruby giggled and stood on her tiptoes to give her a quick peck on the lips. "You're so cute," she smiled, her eyes twinkling.

Sure, you think this is cute now, but when the screaming starts, you'll be marking my words… Oh, yes, they will be marked… All sorts of marking going on…

While Blake clambered up to sit on the countertop next to the sink, Ruby started the water in the tub. Zwei didn't seem at all concerned with the notion of getting a bath, likely because it washed off the blood of his innocent victims. Eventually Pyrrha lifted him up, his stubby little tail wagging in gleeful anticipation of their dropping their guard so easily, and then placed him in the water. He was short enough that it was halfway up his torso already, but he just let out a happy little yip and splashed around merrily.

Blake had tensed up at the noise, drawing her legs in, but relaxed again as there was no blood spilled.

Yet.

Ruby and Pyrrha laughed as they played with the dog, making sure to get him plenty wet in the process. When the brunette turned, however, she frowned in confusion.

"Oh, shoot," she exclaimed. "I got the wrong shampoo. Hang on, I'll be right back!"

With that she was up and out the door, closing it behind her.

Blake could hardly breathe.

"P- Pyrrha?" she squeaked out.

"Hmm? What's the matter, love?"

"Y- You won't leave me… will you?"

Pyrrha smiled softly, keeping one hand on the exuberant dog while she reached back to touch her knee with wet fingers. "I'm right here, kitty cat, don't worry, okay?"

The raven-haired girl nodded rapidly, her eyes wide and unfocused. "Y- Yeah, okay…"

She gave herself a little shake. This was no time to fall apart, even if she were in an enclosed space with that… thing. She needed to be vigilant, be strong for her girlfriends. They were already under the demon-spawn's spell, but she knew what it was capable of.

Oh, yes. She knew all too well.

Amber eyes focused on the creature in question, who perked up at the attention, even as Pyrrha continued to rub its cursed ears and the back of its neck. Blake narrowed her gaze as the tail wagging picked up.

No… No, don't you even think about it, dog…

But it seemed as if the thought had indeed crossed the little devil's mind, and it crouched, scooting its butt up against the rear wall of the bathtub to get better purchase.

Blake opened her mouth to warn Pyrrha of their incoming doom, but it was already too late.

With a joyful bark, Zwei launched himself out of the water, straight at Blake.

The Cat Faunus let out a shriek of terror, flailing to the side to get out of the way, while Pyrrha shouted anxiously.

As she fell, her shoulder hit the door handle, and the bathroom door went crashing out against the hallway wall just as she hit the ground, curled up in a little ball and with her hands behind her neck protectively.

Instead of the hot breath of the deadly monster, she felt wet paws scamper over her and out the bathroom.

With cries of "Bad doggie!", Pyrrha took off in hot pursuit.

It took a moment for Blake to gather her wits about her, but it was Ruby's startled yelp that got her to her feet and moving once more.

It got to her! I knew it, I knew that damned beast was evil!

She sprinted forward, skidding around the corner on her bare feet to crash into the opposite wall. Bouncing off of it, she found Ruby sitting on her haunches, looking about in dismay.

"That was the entire bottle!" her girlfriend exclaimed, the thick liquid dripping from her hands, her clothes, her hair… Well, pretty much everywhere and onto the hardwood flooring.

There was a playful bark as Zwei came tearing back through the house, Pyrrha still in pursuit.

"He's rather… slippery!" the redhead panted, darting past.

Enough. The beast is mine.

Blake let out a silent snarl as she launched herself forward, tackling the wet dog and rolling to a stop in the middle of the hallway that led off to the bedrooms.

"Nice tackle, Blakey!" Ruby cheered, trying to pick herself up off the floor.

Pyrrha quickly closed, helping Blake to her feet and taking hold of the happy dog. "I'm impressed, kitty cat, you caught him!"

"Yes, yes I did," Blake replied levelly.

Now who's the Alpha, dog? Who is it? That's right, me!

As if he was able to pick up on her smug thoughts, Zwei immediately began to squirm about, trying to get out of the redhead's arms.

"Oh, he's slipping!" Pyrrha cried.

"I'm coming!" Ruby hollered as she shot forward.

Of course, she neglected to take into account the fact that her feet were now covered in shampoo. The brunette collided with her girlfriends and her dog, sending all of them crashing backwards and into the door of Yang's room, smashing it open and breaking the lock.

They fell heavily to the floor, Zwei shooting out like a greased Boarbatusk and into the room. The three girls craned their necks to see where he'd gone, only to be presented by a rather shocking sight.

Yang and Weiss stared back at them incredulously, the both of them very much naked and in remarkably intimate positions.

Five simultaneous screams later and Ruby, Blake, and Pyrrha were all out in the hallway, sitting against the same wall as Yang's bedroom, stunned looks on their faces.

"Brain bleach!" Ruby groaned, her eyes wide and haunted. "I need brain bleach!"

Soon thereafter, short and precise steps sounded. Weiss rounded the corner, wearing one of Yang's shirts that went down past her knees. She had an unreadable expression on her face and carried the still dripping wet, but quite pleased with himself, Zwei.

Wordlessly, the white-haired girl dropped the dog into Ruby's lap, turned, and stormed back inside, slamming the broken door shut behind her. Then there came the sound of a chair being dragged over and propped under the doorknob before silence reigned once more.

"Girls," Pyrrha began quietly. "We should vacate the hallway."

"We should vacate the house," Ruby moaned.

"That sounds like a plan," Blake replied, staggering to her feet and pulling the other two up as well. "What say we try for a bath another day?"

"Works for me," the brunette sighed, trudging along with a cheerful Zwei running around the group of them in circles. "I need to change first. But, then ice cream?"

"Definitely," Blake agreed.

A/N: I actually inserted this chapter practically at the last minute as the notion had come to me, and it fit in at Patch so much better, obviously. Next chapter will actually be the last one in Patch for this particular summer break.

So, health-wise, I'm still faring rather poorly, just can't seem to kick this infection. I haven't really been able to get any more writing done simply because of the medications and lack of sleep. As it stands right now I have one more chapter of Thorn, plus another two of Ember Legacy done I can publish, but nothing for Pearls unfortunately. I don't know when I can get the time to write again, so if I suddenly go dark, rest assured I'll get back on track as soon as possible.

Been rewatching Firefly with my youngest, though, that's been fun and relaxing.

Lemme take the time to at least answer some of my lovely reviewers first, though (combining those with similar wording).

Demonic Angel C, PupOnDRun, Jazzatron: Heh, yeah it was a bit like an opening for a Bind chapter, especially since it led right into one. Should be far less sexual tension now that their particular itch has been scratched.

ILikeHotDogs: My sincere apologies for kicking your libido into high gear.

Heil96, kaiju62: Had a buddy who managed to get official business cards with 'Grand Master Unix Wizard' printed on them. Thereafter they enacted new rules on getting the verbiage signed off via management. Still, 'Fluffy Smut Wizard' would trump that, I think.

Jack Inqu: Yup, taking the next sexy step.

Gorsouul: Thanks, I really do try to be consistent with the level of respect the three show for each other. IMHO I think that's a very big part of getting a poly relationship to work, along with communication, sharing, and a whole lotta love.

THB4: Pyrrha's parents do know about her girlfriends, and we'll be meeting them in two chapters.

Marauderby: Much Purruby. Very fluff.

FelipeCH98: It's funny, I actually had it planned out perfectly so that chapter 50 would end up as the last Patch one and be very special. Then this one happened, and I couldn't let it drop. So, there we go. Fortunately I'm not OCD enough for this to bother me.

growlscout: Yep, you called it as far as the reasoning behind Ruby calling Weiss. Yang would definitely give her a hard time right away, while Weiss would be able to get Yang moving quickly, possibly not even telling her the reason until they were long gone.

RealTerminal: Haha, it's possible Freezerburn have been gettin' busy all over Patch, but I don't see Weiss as being that much of an exibitionist or willing to engage in risky sex where she might be discovered. She's still very conscious of her status as an heiress, and that's the last thing that needs to get into the tabloids, especially before she even gets Yang to Atlas.

animegamemaster6: Aw, thanks! The threesome are definitely growing both as individuals and as a relationship, and they'll only continue to do so.

Praetorianwarrior: Heh, I agree, the gay is very strong here.

DschingisKhan: Yeah, also I'm sure they wanted quick showers to get all the suntan lotion off of them before their sexy times.

TacoKing23: Ah yes, the deadly swimwear, lurking in the background to lure them into intimate positions...

A blanket 'thank you' to all who gave me well-wishes for my health (Skiptrace). I'm getting there, it's just slow going.

Stay shiny!