As you entered the academy, it was clear that the news of Velvet's return had already spread. Students and faculty alike were gathered near the entrance, their expressions a mix of relief and concern. The headmaster, Professor Ozpin, stood at the center of the crowd, his gaze fixed on the vehicle. You roll down the window and wave him over to which he begins to make his way to you.

Ozpin: Is she safe?

You point your thumb behind you to the back seat to which Ozpin peaks in and sees Velvet safe and covered by your jacket. Ozpin gives a nod of understanding as he looks at you again then moves away from the window to look at the crowd.

Ozpin: May Miss Scarlatina's team and Miss Goodwitch please accompany me to the garage.

He asks causing a blond woman with a riding crop and three students to seperate from the crowd.

Ozpin: Everyone else please disperse.

Ozpin turns to you and gestures for you to follow. You start to slowly drive as the headmaster, his colleague and Velvet's teammates follow. After finally arriving at the garage. Ozpin closes it after you pull in.

You stepped out of the car and opened the back seat. Velvet stirs in her unconscious state. The blond teacher comes next to you.

Goodwitch: I will take it from here. Don't need you looking at her while she's indecent mercenary.

She said that last part with venom which causes a chill to run down your spine.

(Y/n): I'm not like that. Had to get her out of that place naked anyway so there's nothing I haven't already seen.

Goodwitch shoots a cold glare at you. This causes you to put your hands up defensively and turn around to face Ozpin and the three students.

???: Is she gonna be okay?!

A brown haired girl wearing a beret exclaims in worry for her faunas teammate.

Ozpin: I assure you, Miss Adel, we will do everything we can to ensure Velvet's recovery. She is in good hands now.

Ozpin's calm and reassuring tone seems to ease the worry of the brown-haired girl. The other two students, also exchange concerned glances.

???: Can't believe something like this happened to Velvet. We're so relieved she's back, though.

The tall student nods in agreement, his expression a mix of relief and concern.

???: Yeah, we've been worried sick. Thank you for bringing her back.

You simply nod and look at Ozpin who gives a nod of acknowledgement as he reaches for his scroll. You turn your attention back to Velvet who is now in a giant purple bubble. You guessed this was miss Goodwitch's semblance.

Ozpin: I appreciate your help, V. The Lien will be transferred to your account shortly.

You nod with a smile.

(Y/n): Preem. I've gotta delta now. My friends may have picked up some of the people that kidnapped Velvet in the first place so I better get over there and sort that mess out.

Ozpin nods understandingly. You get back in the car as you watch the garage door open then turn your attention to Velvet's team that follows Glynda and Velvet.

You hear a glitch behind you in the back seat and look to see Johnny with his hands behind his back.

Johnny: Getting sentimental (Y/n)?

You sigh with obvious annoyance in your sharp exhale and begin to back out of the garage.

(Y/n): Just hope she's okay. After what she's been through, I'd be surprised if she didn't have her head turning ninety, a hundred and eighty, and two hundred and seventy degrees everyday.

Johnny sits up straight and leans in between the driver and passenger seat.

Johnny: You're a merc, (Y/n). Don't get emotionally attached to clients. That's rule number one in that industry.

You roll your eyes as the engine roars after putting the car from reverse to drive.

(Y/n): Yeah yeah.

You take off from the academy and head to the safe house.

Timeskip~

You arrive at the safe house to see bodies of scavs scattered around the area. A couple of cars on fire as well. You see one scav groaning and crawling towards you. Well, more towards the exit behind you. You pull out your iron and finish him off before continuing on.

You arrive at the door and lean against the wall on the right of the door.

(Y/n): What was it again...? Four knocks?

You pause for a moment, trying to remember the correct sequence of knocks to gain entry to the safe house. After a few seconds, it comes back to you.

(Y/n): Right, it's four knocks followed by two rapid knocks.

You raise your hand and give four deliberate knocks on the door, followed by two quick ones. The door creaks open, revealing Jackie.

Jackie: Took you long enough Mano. Everything go smoothly?

You step inside the safe house, relieved to see Jackie standing there, unharmed.

(Y/n): Yeah, managed to get Velvet back safely. It wasn't an easy mission, but we made it.

Jackie nods, his expression serious.

Jackie: Good to hear. We've been holding down the fort here, keeping an eye on things. But it's been quiet so far.

You take a moment to survey the surroundings, noticing the aftermath of the earlier skirmish.

(Y/n): So I noticed.

Jackie nods again, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

Jackie: Yeah, puta scavs tried to make a move on the safe house as soon as I got back. We took care of them, but it's clear they're still after us. We need to stay on guard.

You scoff at this.

(Y/n): They're fucking bottom feeders Jackie. What are they gonna do?

Jackie has a serious face which suddenly drops as he starts to laugh.

Jackie: Too true brother! Fuck em.

You begin to walk through the safe house. You hear screaming to your right and see Rebecca pulling bullets out of the arm of her brother, Pilar.

Rebecca: Stop complaining! The more you squirm, the more it's gonna hurt mother fucker!

Pilar: Fuck off. Get me something strong to get rid of this pain.

Rebecca grits her teeth and leans down picking up a bottle of scotch.

Rebecca: Like this?

Pilar looked in excitement and nodded happily.

Pilar: Yeah yeah!

Rebecca took off the lid with a smile.

Rebecca: Well then here....Enjoy!!

She immediately pours the remaining contents onto the wound she was working on causing her older sibling to scream in horror.

Both Jackie and yourself wince and continue walking through the building. You head through another door to see David and Maine talking.

Jackie: Uh oh. David's bugging Maine about training again.

You lean against the wall and watch the scene unfold.

(Y/n): Five Lien says he makes it someone else's responsibility.

Jackie lets out an amused grunt.

Jackie: ...That reminds me, mano. I got this thing. Mind if I borrow your wheels?

You keep your eyes on David and Maine but ponder on Jackie's request.

(Y/n): Hmmm...

Jackie faces you.

Jackie: I got a date with Misty, but... heh, I can't take the metro! How's that gonna look for me?

You smile and laugh at the thought of Jackie in a suit on the metro.

(Y/n): Won't leave you hangin', Jack. But don't get used to it.

You say as you wink at him with a smile and keep looking at the two mercs.

Jackie: Aah, savin' my ass, V. thank you.

You see David walk up to you. You fist bump him.

(Y/n): Sup choom. Get some bodies today?

Jackie cuts in.

Jackie: Or did you lose your iron again?

He jokes.

David: Gun jammed. Starting to think I'm cursed.

Jackie: Last I checked there wasn't a pussy curse.

(Y/n): And we're not referring to the good version of that curse.

Jackie fist bumps you while David sighs and looks back at Maine.

David: Asked him to train me again. Still said no but said he'd get someone today to help me and to keep my optics wide for a call or something.

(Y/n): Ha. See Jackie, told you he'd make it someone else's problem.

David: Made a bet again?

You sigh and nod your head left and right.

(Y/n): Nah. Poor Jackie would be in debt. Owes me enough already.

You say, teasing at the favours you've done for Misty and himself.

Jackie: How many times have I saved your ass on jobs?

You hum to yourself and shrug.

(Y/n): Don't know. Let me work it out tonight and I'll deduct it.

David: Is that a hint of sincerity from (Y/n) Vincent (L/n)?

David pretends to be surprised.

Jackie: I think it was David. The world's turning loco.

A smile creeps onto your face as you let out a chuckle and flip both of them off as you decide to head to your room.

(Y/n): Fuck you both.

You head upstairs and look down at the duo.

(Y/n): Not a scratch on my ride Jackie! And David, take this lifestyle seriously! You'll need the lien to get more chrome in your system. Especially with that Sandy that Maine 'generously' gave to you!

You continue to go upstairs leaving the two to stare at the staircase.

Jackie: ...He's right holmes. Gotta start stepping up to the game before the game steps on you.

Jackie says to David before leaving for his date with Misty. Jackie's words hang in David's mind as he looks at the dirty floor with his head hung low. He sighs and heads to his room.

Your room~

You place your pistol back into your personal armoury and take off your shirt. You move your hands around in a circular motion then stretch. You hear a glitch next to you and look to see Johnny on your bed.

(Y/n): What do you want Johnny?

Johnny turns his head slightly as he looks at you from under his sunglasses.

Johnny: It's been a while since we had a proper chat.

You raise an eyebrow, slightly suspicious of his sudden interest in conversation.

(Y/n): You know, I'm not really in the mood for chit-chat right now. I've had a long day and I just want to relax.

Johnny chuckles, his eyes glinting mischievously.

Johnny: Relax? Where's the fun in that?

You pause, intrigued despite your weariness.

(Y/n): Alright, spill. What's on your mind?

Johnny sits up, his expression turning serious.

Johnny: You remember that crew we took down last month? The ones who were smuggling cyberware?

You nod, recalling the intense mission that had led to a major takedown.

(Y/n): Yeah, the shady ripperdoc with the fucked up teeth and one eye. What about it?

Johnny fully sits up and kicks his legs over the edge of the bed.

Johnny: Your friend David could use that cyberware. Sure, getting the piece installed will cost some lien but it's better than paying for the pieces from a normal ripperdoc, then paying to get them installed afterwards.

Your interest is piqued, and you sit down on the edge of the bed, facing Johnny.

(Y/n): I see where you're going with this.

Johnny leans in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.

Johnny: I know what you're thinking. We did stop that operation and handed the cyberware to Atlas, despite my warnings not to. Who's to say we shouldn't take something extra for the effort.

You groan and drag your hands down your face.

(Y/n): Johnny, that cyberware has gotta be half way to Atlas by now. We can't cut it off at the door step of the lion's den.

Johnny nods at your words then suddenly teleports into your peripheral vision causing your head to snap to his new location.

Johnny: Luckily for you, I've gathered some information.

You pause and raise a brow.

(Y/n): How...?

Johnny: When you were asleep I went looking on the web.

(Y/n): You used my body without my knowledge?!

Johnny sighs and looks up at the ceiling.

Johnny: I knew you were gonna be like this so just know I didn't drink this time. You didn't throw up recently right?

You look at him with an angry expression.

(Y/n): Still. You can't just do that Johnny. You're basically a passenger trying to take the wheel from the driver. Shit could get out of control.

Johnny: If you're done whining can I get back to my plan?

You go silent but still hold an unamused demeanour.

Johnny: Good. As I was saying, there's a powerful fixer running a smash a grab, as he calls it. Goes by the name of Talon. Rumor has it, he's got connections with some high-ranking corpo execs.

You raise an eyebrow, your mind racing with possibilities.

(Y/n): Sounds like someone on your personal shit list.

Johnny: Oh fuck yeah.

Johnny expresses his anger at the fixer who's in bed with more corpo's than your usual dolls.

(Y/n): So we're dealing with someone who's got serious influence. This could be messy. Especially if we want some of that chrome.

Johnny teleports back to the bed and lays back.

Johnny: You can probably work out an arrangement. Just need to be like me.

You scoff.

(Y/n): How do I do that?

Johnny: Simple. You can't. There's only one me. Although, you do remind me of me a little. Like Fifty years back. Minus the charisma.

He looks at you and lowers his shades a little before looking you up and down.

Johnny: And the impressive cock.

He says before getting comfortable. You just shook your head and head to the shower. For David's sake, maybe this job could be the stepping stones he needs....

Maybe...
______________________________

Until next time :)