Diam opened his eyes and groaned as he recognized where he awoke- a hospital room. He was in a hospital. Perfect. Diam wanted to punch something, but he really didn't feel like staying any longer than he had to. He shook his head.

He was so screwed.

The boss is gonna kill me. How long have I been out? How many days have I missed?

Diam's gaze roamed the sparse room before his eyes landed on a calendar near the doorway. He let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding.

Only been out a day. Thank the Gods. I don't think the landlady would be happy if I showed up with a pink slip and no lien.

He chuckled to himself and took another look around the room he was in. It was white. The floor, the ceiling, the walls- everything was a sickly white. Now, Diam didn't exactly hate the color, but since he had seen it in hospitals and doctor's offices the most, it was very low on his list of favorites.

To his immediate left, an EKG machine beeped out a steady rhythm now that he was conscious. Diam rolled his eyes and disconnected the device. He had a broken leg, not a stroke. To his right, a drip-feed connected to his arm- Diam removed that as well. He understood if he wasn't conscious, it was necessary, but it wasn't like his broken leg prevented him from drinking water.

"Mr...Krim."

Diam froze, his hand still holding the drip-feed as his eyes spotted a figure silhouetted in the doorway. A man, tall yet skinny wearing a white, button-up shirt, walked into the room. He had black eyes and bright red hair. His posture was relaxed, yet weary- likely years of dealing with unruly or non-compliant patients. Diam forced his stance into a comfortable position; the man was most likely a nurse and, therefore, not a threat.

I most definitely have done nothing wrong, either. No matter what the nurse implies.

The nurse's brow twitched slightly as his gaze slid past the tube in Diam's hand and met his eyes. "My apologies for startling you, but you seemed to be lost in your own little world. I'm your nurse for the duration of your stay- how are you feeling? Any pain in your limbs or head? You had a rather nasty concussion when you were wheeled in here." The nurse said that the infuriatingly-friendly tone all hospital staff seemed to have.

Diam grunted. "It feels like I've gone a few rounds with a Grimm in a headbutting match, but other than that, I'm just peachy." He gestured toward his leg which was suspended from the ceiling in a cast. "That, on the other hand, lost to the Grimm kicking match."

The nurse did that fake-laugh thing that always infuriated Diam and smiled. "Well, I'll have the doctor recommend some painkillers once I manage to reach him. He seems to have disappeared, which is quite unusual for him. Once I track him down, I'll send him your way!"

Diam smiled and thanked the nurse as he left. He leaned back to stare at the tiles above his head. He needed to go. He had done his good deed and paid the price for it.

His boss would be furious at him- he was probably lucky if he even still had a job.

Diam sighed and looked to his left- the City of Vale shining brilliantly in the early morning through his room's window. His home. The place he had fought and sacrificed for. The place he nearly died for over and over again. What his friends died for. Screaming in pain, fighting a war led by a racist, incompetent general who had no idea what it was like to feel pain-

Diam's fist clenched, and he took a long, deep breath. He needed to leave. The hospital was bringing things to the forefront of his mind he'd rather be left forgotten.

Someone coughed, and Diam's eyes snapped to the figure standing in the doorway. He cursed in his head. He needed to stop spacing out and make sure-

His thoughts screeched to a halt. A man stood in his doorway. Someone that shouldn't have been there. After all, why would someone visit the man they almost murdered without a second thought?

"My apologies for startling you, Mr. Krim, but we need to have a chat." The man who wore a long navy coat said. "Now, before you say anything, yes, I'm aware I shouldn't be here, but the hospital staff said you weren't accepting visitors, and I very much need to speak with you." The man chuckled. Diam didn't share his enthusiasm.

The man sighed and moved further into the room, shutting the door with a firm click as he did. His cane clacked against the polished white tile that composed the floor as he made his way to a nearby seat. With a slight groan, the man sat, directly facing Diam's bed.

"I bet you're wondering why I am here, eh? It's not like our first encounter left a good impression of one another, no?" His assaulter said. "Though, I admit that is entirely my fault. I ignored the number one rule a Hunter should do before entering a situation- know your enemy. It was a grievous error, and part of the reason I am here is to try and rectify that if you should let me?"

An olive branch, then. Diam closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh. He shouldn't trust this man. He had quite literally beat him black and blue for no reason at all. Yet, Diam could tell there was something more to the man before him. He couldn't place exactly what it was; it was more of an instinct than anything. And, his instincts had saved him enough times in the past that Diam knew to trust them.

"Fine. But, I am expecting more than a simple apology." Diam said.

The man smiled. "Of course. But first, how is your leg doing? Any lasting damage from the fight with that rogue Hunter?"

Diam shrugged. "Broken. Other than that, the nurse said I had a mild concussion and nothing more. Should be released in a few weeks after I get some rest." Diam met the man's piercing blue eyes. "And what happened to the woman I tried to save? Did she make it?"

The man smiled, filled with affection. "She has made a full recovery. Only had a minor concussion and is already back on her feet." He paused and looked at Diam's face as if he was searching for something. After a moment, he nodded, as if he had seemingly found whatever it was he had been looking for. "She is my secretary. And a wonderful friend."

Diam blinked. "Oh."

"Oh, indeed. That's why I came in such a hurry. Jas had activated the distress beacon I had given to her." The man fiddled with the top of his cane. "That is why I was so desperate. I take great care of my friends, and even though I've only known her for a little while- she is irreplaceable both in my operations and my life as a whole."

Diam raised an eyebrow. That sounded much more intimate than just friendship.

"No, it's not like that." The man said, reading the expression of doubt Diam wore. "While she is irreplaceable, she is just only a friend. I've already made that clear to her. Wouldn't want to have any awkward misunderstandings, no?" The ever-present smile had turned a little strained, so Diam dropped it.

"Still, it is good to hear she recovered. I'm glad I was able to be of use." Diam said.

The man stayed silent for a moment, making eye contact with Diam the entire time. The clock, whose noise had been drowned out by their conversation, and most definitely not Diam's nerves, made its presence known once more.

"I've looked into your current work, Mr. Krim. Manual labor seems beneath someone of your talents. Fighting off a fully trained Huntsman, even if they were inebriated, is no easy task."

Diam raised an eyebrow. Where the man was going with this, he had no idea.

"You have extensive military training, earning more medals and merits than most men could even dream of. The squad led by yourself was pivotal in several critical battles during the War and even managed to turn the tide more than once. So, tell me something. What is a man with such incredible feats under his belt doing working for a seedy construction company on the outskirts of Vale?"

The question triggered something in his mind and a wave of fury washed over him.

"Because no one gives a damn about me." Diam spat. "I have no practical work experience. I'm a soldier. I follow orders and kill people. Now, I can't do either of those things because the Council doesn't care about us vets- we lost, and they abandoned us for it. What else is there for me to do? Become a bouncer in some seedy bar? No, thanks. I would rather do some honest work than to stoop so low as to become a glorified thug. Besides, it's not too bad with my Aura, even if it's on the weaker side."

Diam had no idea what this man thought an apology was, but it seemed someone had misinformed him. All this was doing was riling him up even more than earlier. Honestly, it felt more like an interrogation or a-

He wanted to smack himself. He was a moron — almost more than the one sitting in front of him.

"Are you for real? Is your twisted form of an apology offering me a job?" Diam asked, disbelief coloring his voice. "Even though I have absolutely no reason to work for you when you assaulted me. Why would I ever trust a boss like you who goes around hurting people trying to help others?"

The accusation made the man wince, but to Diam, it was a victory. He knew he shouldn't have trusted this man. Even though his gut said otherwise, he should have slammed the door in his face, metaphorically, of course.

"It was a mistake, as I already pointed out. I didn't bother checking the situation before I lept in- the only ones who should have a chance of doing that are trainee huntsmen with no experience. I assaulted you and caused a great deal of harm when a more delicate hand was needed." The man bowed his head. "I'm sorry."

Diam felt his temper start to drop slowly-

"But, I still feel that with your incredible skill set and practical combat experience, we can-"

Diam slammed his fist into the side rail of the hospital bed.

"Enough. Gods Damn it, enough! You just don't know when to stop talking, do you?"

The man was silent.

"Get out. I don't want your stupid job. You're trying to butter me up and then make me sign some stupid contract that will make sure I won't sue you. Do you think I'm dumb? You're not the first suit to try and talk his way into my good graces, and you won't be the last. Oh, and before you leave, find someone and ask them what a real apology sounds like- you sure as shit don't know."

The man closed his eyes. "I understand. I was merely offering you the position as head of the Security Division of my company. But, I understand your reluctance. Before I leave, let me do one thing for you. To make up for my rudeness."

Diam opened his mouth to tell him to shut it, but before he could even make a noise, the man was at his side. Diam tried to pull back, but the man snatched his arm before he could move. Diam started to struggle, but it was a futile effort. The man's grip was like steel and Diam couldn't break free-

A warm, tingling sensation flowed into his arm from the man. The warm feeling traveled through his whole body and concentrated on his broken leg. A lance of pain shot through him, but it lasted only a second before being replaced by a dull ache. After a few more seconds, the warm feeling had left, leaving Diam feeling distinctly cold.

The man let go of his arm and, without another word, began to leave.

Diam had no idea what just happened.

Was that Aura? His semblance? Whatever it was, I've never felt anything like it.

He moved his leg, and instead of the tell-tale feeling of a broken bone, the only thing he felt was a dull ache. Diam wanted to shout with joy. He could leave. He wouldn't have to stay in this dead, sterile place and wrack up a debt he could never repay. Before he could say anything, however, the clicking of the cane on the floor brought him back to reality.

He had rejected this man's generosity- a chance at a new life working for one of the latest up and coming big shots in Vale. Yet, it wasn't like Diam was wrong in rejecting him either- that kind of personality was dangerous for someone in such a volatile position.

Diam bit his lip. He had no idea what to think- on the one hand; this incredible act could very well be a trap to lure Diam back into the man's good graces. On the other hand, the man fixed his broken leg in five seconds. That kind of semblance would cause the Academies to fight over him like rabid dogs. Yet, here he was, quietly starting a company in Vale. And he was looking at him. Of all the people he could find, he chose him.

Besides, 'Head of Security' would likely have a decent paycheck, no?

Diam sighed and called out to Jaune. "Wait."

Jaune paused at the doorway- his cane struck the tile and caused a ringing noise to echo around the room. He slowly turned his head to look back at him.

"No contracts, verbal or in writing. If I feel like you're leading me on or I disagree with the direction you are taking the company, I will walk away. We'll discuss payment and benefits later, which I will get in writing and have a lawyer look over. Take it or leave it."

The clock's minute hand slowly ticked on; it's march stopping for no one. Yet, all the same, the world seemed to be at a standstill.

Jaune smiled. "You're hired."

Diam didn't smile, but he felt something settle in his chest all the same. It was something he hadn't felt in quite a long time.

Satisfaction.

He blinked as he read the message in his head. He reread it to make sure it wasn't some terrible prank. But, no, it was real. After a moment, his body slumped into the cold, metal chair that had been practically his home for the past few years.

He slammed his fist against the cold metal desk that held his computer and snarled. His colleagues had warned him of the purges, but to be dismissed in such a manner…

He cooled his flaring temper with a sigh. It wasn't proper to stoop to their level, not when they had seen him as unworthy of their attention. No review, no meeting, no indication whatsoever. Just simple notice of dismissal- stating the primary reason as 'A lack of significant progress with his research.'

Anger coursed through him once more.

As if those blithering fools understood the complexities and the depths of my research, how important it was to Atlas and Remnant at large…

He clenched his fist and unclenched it. Now was not the time to wallow in fury. He had to move quickly before they locked him out of the systems- he needed copies of his research before security came knocking. Before that, though…

The doctor opened one of the many files scattered onto his workstation. He had made some minor plans for this, of course, he just never expected them to strike so hard and fast. It seemed their new CEO was less incompetent than he calculated initially.

Regardless, he flipped through the folder until he arrived at the page he needed. He smirked, his mustache tilting slightly as he did so. This looked perfect for his needs, a relatively unknown with a slight potential that would be so far down on the bigwigs' priority list they might not see it for years unless he gave them some charitable...direction.

He reached for his terminal, preparing to call in one last favor from an old acquaintance - he was rather high up the food chain, as it happened, but it looks like even his hands had been tied with regards to his job. How useless. He had cultivated that relationship over the years, and when it came time to harvest what he sowed, it had dried up in his hands. Regardless, he sent the message and awaited a rapid and no doubt annoyingly apologetic response.

He looked down at the paper once more.

"Arc Dust. How quaint." Arthur Watts said, a grin stretching across his face.

Surprise! I'm not dead! Welcome back folks, it's been quite a while. My life has been crazy the last few months and my inspiration for writing has dropped with it. It's been like pulling teeth to get this thing out so I'm glad to be done with it. Hopefully, I haven't completely butchered your sense of disbelief in regards to Diam's acceptance- I thought I put several good reasons as to why he should/would accept the offer if in his situation. Anyways, I hope yall are enjoying the holidays as much as I am!

Review, Favorite and Follow if you enjoyed!

See ya next time!