CH 25: Stuck in the Middle

I've always felt alone my whole life, for as long as I can remember. I don't know if I like it… or if I'm just used to it, but I do know this: Being lonely does things to you, and feeling shit and bitter and angry all the time just… eats away at you.

It changes how you think about things. Changes how you act towards people. You become a monster you never wanted to be, but you feel so comfortable in the skin.

Yet, when you find yourself in the company of those who care about you, you either start to piece things together... or you sink... further and further into what you are most comfortable in.

With a lot of insistence, Jaune was forced back to his room, though under a great amount of reluctance. "Up you go, mister," Tai said as he tucked Jaune in with Yang and Ruby snickering.

"Hey, I don't need comments from the peanut gallery." He peeked over to the two girls who were only encouraged to giggle at the sight of their tucking their friend in. "Thanks, Tai."

The blonde male nodded as he tidied up the mess of medical wires. "There!" Tai clapped his hands together as Jaune looked to see that there wasn't a huge mess of tubes and wires.

The white hooded woman appeared beside Tai, tapping him on the shoulder, "Tai did you eat anything?"

"No….."

The silver eyed woman gave the kids a wink, "Well let's go."

"But-"

"No buts mister, you've haven't eaten anything or got any sleep. Let's go."

With the Summer and Taiyang were out of the room much to the amusement of the three teenagers. "I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing Tai getting treated like a man-baby." He shot a look Yang, "No offense."

Yang giggled as she dragged a chair beside his bed, "None taken, he knows he's a baby."

The blonde boy patted the end of his bed, gesturing for Ruby to take a seat. "You sure?" She asked hesitantly.

He could only roll his eyes, "Yes, Ruby, I'm sure." Immediately, the girl hopped up on the end of his bed as he laid back down. He picked up the remote to the t.v. as he flicked channel to channel. "I'm sorry I'm making you guys stay here. You guys didn't really have to stay; I'm fine."

Yang ran her hand through her hair in frustration, "We have already been through this… We're here because we care and know you'd do the same."

The more important question is how are you feeling?" Ruby asked.

"And don't tell us, 'you're fine.'" Yang chimed in, sounding a little bitter.

"Sore…" He rubbed his chest gently.

"What did it feel like? You know, when you…"

"Ruby!"

"No, it's fine…" Jaune raised his hand, "Felt like… I don't know, a flip of the switch. At times, it felt like I was going numb then out of nowhere, it felt like I ran over... the pain just so unimaginable." The girl only nodded as the three fell into an awkward silence.

"So… when you get out…" Yang tried to change the subject, "All of us are going to have a movie night!"

Ruby looked at the girl as if she lost her mind. "Yang, I'm sure he needs his rest. I mean-"

"Let's do it!"Jaune cut her off, trying to soothe over the awkwardness he felt partly responsible for creating. While he felt guilty about the whole but he felt lighter, more carefree, considering everything that had happened.

"Yessssss," Yang grin only grew. "I'm sure my mom would be totally cool with it. Dad will just pass out anyway when he gets home."

"You know… I don't know about movies…" Jaune sighed as he looked up the t.v. "If I'm going to be stuck here watching t.v. For most of the day."

"Halothon?" Ruby asked with an almost childish grin.

Yeah, that was a no-brainer, "Halothon." The two blondes confirmed, glaring at each other. An old score had to be settled.

It had been a long morning for the Branwen. Qrow had made the phone call with Raven sitting in. The conversation was brief with Qrow explaining the situation. Now Ozpin requested to meet with the two of them later today.

After finishing their breakfast at Poppaz and made their way to the school. After taking a brief twenty-minute nap, they made their way to the parking lot which was the summer home for the band. As students started to arrive, both siblings looked at one another and let out a sigh; it was going to be a long day.

Raven kept in ear shot in percussion where she could hear the hushed questions of Cardin and Russell while also noting how Weiss somewhat concerned.

It finally clicked that Jaune was not coming in today. As usual, Percussion headed back to the school and started their warm ups. It didn't feel right as Raven clicked her sticks at the beat she expected everyone to follow. Yet that wasn't happening.

Weiss tried to power through, beating her notes, trying to reinforce the beat. Yet Cardin and Russell were either playing too fast or too slow. It was clear how essential Jaune was to the unit.

She held up an 'x'. "What's going on guys? You're all over the place."

Weiss crossed her arms, glaring at Cardin and Russell. "I've been keeping beat."

Raven nodded while giving an expecting look. "That's true, but you were trying to drown out the others." Weiss seemed to have deflated the criticism. The percussion leader shot her icy cold blue eyes over to the snickering percussionists, "Boys attention!" Their instructor called out.

The two boys snapped to attention as the black haired woman circled like a hawk circling rabbits. "What's so funny?" She eyed their every movement looking for any sign of them breaking their stance. "Let's hear it."

The two boys bit their tongues as they stared straight ahead. "No? Is nothing funny now? A shame. Let's be clear, you two fell behind or sped up, at least Weiss tried to drown out your horrendous playing."

That instantly dampened everyone's mood as they stood at attention. "At ease." Raven sighed as she leaned on the stage, tapping her chin in thought only to notice Qrow standing off in the distance next Principal Ozpin, "Take fifteen minutes and come back prepared and with clearer minds. Dismissed."

She hopped off the stage and walked over to her new guests. "I apologize for visiting. I wish it were under better circumstances." He said before taking a sip from his coffee mug. The three of them took a walk down the empty, dimly lit hallways.

"Qrow told me his side of the story, but I would like to hear it from you, Mrs. Branwen."

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the man who led them down to the office, "If you heard his story then why do you need me to explain?"

"Well, multiple perspectives often result in new insights. Both of you are good people and excellent teachers who went beyond the call of duty. However, the law may not see it like that. For me to help you, I need to hear from you."

Raven nodded slowly, still weary of Ozpin. Honestly, she had nothing against the man, but she was still wary of any position of authority especially when it came to personal matters. "Fine."

The three of them reached the middle school office where Ozpin gestured them to enter. They made their way to the conference room where they took their seats. "You may begin."

"Where do you want me to start?"

"Start where you wish."

Raven nodded as she brought her interlaced hands up to the table. She confessed, and she hated herself for it. She started from the very beginning. How she met Jaune and how she knew something was off with him with his first emotional outburst. How he just pushed away, and eventually broke down, letting some idea of how bad his life was. Then she offered the deal; she would help him to get out or if he wanted to stay in. She outlined his options and promised to help him any way she could.

"And you didn't report this to CPS?" Ozpin intertwined his fingers.

"Sir, I know how that system works." Raven narrowed her eyes. "It lets down more kids then it should save. So I offered him the choice and told him what to expect. He made an informed adult decision."

"You broke protocol," Ozpin stated as a fact.

"The protocol is broken." Raven retorted back as she balled her hands into fists. The man simply hummed as he gestured for her to continue.

Then… the heart condition… "Let me straighten this straight before you continue." Ozpin politely interjected. "You knew that one of your students has a disability and you actively allowed him to participate in band. More so, you didn't tell me?"

"Yessir, I allowed him-" Qrow started only to be cut off.

"No, sir. I convinced my brother to allow Jaune to stay in the band as well as not informing you. The fault is mine." Raven shot a warning glare to Qrow.

"You do realize how much trouble this could get you in?" Ozpin said neutrally as he took a sip from his cup.

"Fully." Raven nodded solemnly.

"Then why jeopardize your career?" He narrowed his eyes, "Why risk being thrown in prison?"

"Jaune's request, sir."

The gray haired man nodded slowly as he leaned back into his chair "I see… I'm sorry, please continue.

So the recounting continued as Raven explained her desire to help the poor blonde. Then she reached the Summer Incident. It broke her heart to explain, just to remember the fateful night. "He called me, and I rushed over to see how I could help." Raven could see that Ozpin was studying her intently.

"You gave your a student your personal number and he called you?"

"Yessir."

"And you took him in for the night? Of his own free will? Was there anything… illegal going on between the two of you?" The woman's mouth was agape. How dare he even think of such things. "I'm sure you understand that I need you to answer these questions truthfully."

"How dare you." She growled, her crimson eyes flickering with fiery rage, "you even imply anything of the sort!" She slammed her fist on the table with a loud thud. "Just because I went through some shit as a kid-" Qrow immediately clamped her mouth shut.

"What she means is of course not." He could see her sister relax as she slumped back down into her chair as the man simply hummed to himself.

After a few minutes, Oxpin dared to poke the pissed off bear. "If you wish to come clean, now would be the time."

Raven slammed her fist on the table, "You are out of line! I have served this school district faithfully for fifteen years! Not once was I reprimanded, and you dare charge me with having made sexual advances with one of my students? I was helping an abused child, not abusing them!" Immediately, Qrow placed his hand on her shoulder telling her to cool it before she did something she was going to regret.

One incredibly tense minute went by before Ozpin pushed his classes up.

"I see… so let me ask you something, what is Jaune to you."

The black-haired woman narrowed her crimson eyes as she suspected something was amiss. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, what is the relationship between you and Jaune."

She never even thought about it, she just kind of accepted the relationship between her and him. She looked at the old man who was looking at her expectantly. "I… I don't know… he just reminds me of myself as a kid."

Oozing nodded as he hid facial expression behind intertwined hands. "Go on."

"I had it rough as a kid; we had it rough." She gestured to Qrow, who nodded, "But we had each other. Jaune… Jaune didn't have anyone."

Ozpin raised an eyebrow, "So you've taken him under your wing?"

The woman nodded. "Indeed."

"Would I be wrong if I said that you look at him as a son?"

Raven's eyes widened as that single statement that punched her right in the face. In a way, she always knew it, felt it. She looked at Qrow who seemed to be anticipating the answer as well. He must have known where the question was going. "Yes." She stated resolutely. "He's apart of the family as far as I'm concerned."

"Thoughts, Qrow?" Ozpin asked.

"I consider the boy family as well."

Ozpin let out almost a sigh of relief. "Well, that's commendable, truly it is. This is beyond the call of a teacher and serves as examples to follow… even with your… unorthodox methods, but the law will see it differently. As far as I'm concerned if you want to keep your career intact, you'll either have to give him up to his family or formerly adopt him." He shook his head sadly, "Though that won't do anything if charges of neglecting civic responsibilities are filed."

This was the one thing she wanted to avoid for the boy's sake. If this was going to court… Jaune reputation could easily be demolished. "Shit." She breathed out. Either way, Jaune was going to be in for a rude awakening

"So we're good to go?" Jaune was ready to get out of here being cooped up in bed all day.

Ruby and Yang managed to keep themselves occupied with the t.v. but Jaune was itching to get back into his real clothes. "Just about." Taiyang put on a pair of gloves as he pulled out the needle in his arm. "There you go." He pointed to the dresser behind everyone "there are your clothes if you want to get out of that thing."

"Yes please." Jaune practically jumped up and raced into the bathroom with a sense of new purpose and vigor. A few minutes he returned with a pair blue shorts and gray t-shirt (which Summer quickly picked up at the gift store). "I will never forget how nice clothes are."

"So I guess I'll take Ruby home then." Summer smiled as collected her cloak.

"Yeahhh about that…." Yang drew out with an almost pleading look.

"Can I spend the night with Yang and Jaune. Pretty please!?" The smaller version of Summer clamped down on her mom's arm who simply shrugged

"I don't see why not, Tai."

"Always fine with it." He shrugged as he got the paper for Jaune to sign. "Why don't you stop by the house, I'll let Rae and Qrow know."

"You sure? I don't wanna-"

"Yeah, Summ, it's fine." Tai shook his head with a smile. Jaune couldn't help but simply be amazed at how cohesive, how… together this family was. This was a stark one-eighty from what he grew up with. He couldn't help but smile.

Yet he knew dark clouds were looming ahead for this family. Him being here with them would only bring harm. However, they stated explicitly that he would not be left behind. "Just sign here." Tai handed him a clipboard with a huge stack of papers.

"What is all this?" Jaune stared the behemoth of a packet.

"Insurance billing contracts, the disclosure of medical information to primary physician and cardiologist, and release forms," Tai said as if he had gone over this with a great many patients.

"Uh…. sure." He took the pen and signed it in cursive. He hopped out of his bed on still shakey legs which Yang immediately draped his arm over her shoulder.

"Gosh, you need to lose some weight."

"Me? You're the one who goes to Pappaz every other night."

"Hey, don't be a hater. You're just jealous of my figure." Yang gave him a playful smirk. Taiyang ran out ahead of everyone and got the car. By the time they reached outside the car was parked outside. Ruby held the door open while Yang helped him in. "Thanks, you two."

The drive back to the Xiao-Long-Branwen resident was a quiet and relaxed affair, causing Jaune to lightly doze off a few times. "Home sweet home," Tai pointed out almost like a child, the sheer exhaustion, and the promise of a bed almost too powerful for the grown adult to not sound like a child. Jaune opened the car to find that he was struggling to even to walk. "Sorry bud, its the sedatives." Tai warned as his daughter helped him up to his feet.

"Come on big guy, let's get you inside." Yang helped him in with Ruby following. Summer arrived moments behind them in her own car. As he started to walk, he could feel some feeling returning to his numb legs. By the time he reached the door, he eased off of Yang. By the time he was inside, he felt somewhat normal.

Though stairs would be another challenge entirely. "Why don't you guys stay down here for tonight?" Tai suggested as he looked over Jaune with concern.

That was the greatest suggestion he had ever heard. "Would you mind if we hooked up the Xbox then?" Yang asked as she gave puppy dog eyes.

Her father rustled her hair which earned a swat of the hand, "Sure thing honey." He turned to face the other blonde. "I'll bring down a fresh change of clothes for you so you don't have to go up to the stairs. You're going to have to really take it easy, anesthesia and that medicine we gave you stays in the system for a couple of days"

He started to climb the steps before Jaune felt the urge to speak up, "Tai," the man turned around, "Really thank you, appreciation doesn't describe how I feel."

Tai simply gave a huge heart warming smile, "Not a problem bud."

Yang went upstairs with her father to disconnect her Xbox as Jaune and Ruby made their way to the living room. Immediately, he noticed Ruby went over to the couch and started to move it to in front of the t.v. He started to move when Ruby looked over, "You stay put mister, you aren't lifting a finger today."

"But-"

The brunette with red tipped hair stopped him, her silver eyes shined with a certain look of he was going to lose this fight. "Jaune, you just got out of the hospital. Just take it easy."

He wasn't happy about it, "Fine." He sighed as he watched as the girl pushed the couch. She pointed at the couch with a sharp finger as she moved the wooden coffee table in front of the couch. It was odd seeing this little girl basically repurpose the room without asking permission. "You know, if I hadn't known any better, I would have thought that you were sisters with Yang with how you act." He said as moved over to the couch.

She shot him a curious look, "I mean with how you two act with each other. You guys act like ideal siblings."

Ruby practically beamed as she plopped down beside him, "As far as I can remember our families practically live together. Our parents have been really close friends since school, and I guess they didn't want to remain separated after school." She shrugged.

"Must be nice…" Jaune sagged his shoulders defeatedly. Why just why can't he have a family that was close like that. Heck Ruby and Yang weren't even sisters but they acted like extremely close sisters. He here was with his own sisters. "My siblings feel like we're worlds apart."

He felt a hand lightly swat him on the shoulder, "Enough of that. You have Yang and me! That has to count for something."

He sat down the couch as Ruby practically plopped down. "It does, more than you know."

"So we doin co-op or online?" Yang asked as she approached the living room with her Xbox and three controllers.

"Co-op legendary!" They both shouted simultaneously. Jaune and Ruby looked at one another for a moment before high-fiving.

"NOOOOOOOOOO…" Yang's shoulders slumped. "I really really really rrrrereeeaaaalllyyyy don't want to play the Library mission."

Jaune dismissed her concern with a wave of the hand. "The Flood aren't that bad.."

Yang deadpanned, "Uhhhh yeah they are when they all have energy swords and rockets. Oh, you can't forget about the shotguns either! "

"So you just sneak by them." Ruby gave a mischevious smirk.

"That's cheating!" Yang and Jaune scolded causing the younger girl to deflate.

"You guys are no fun."

With Ozpin gone Raven sat in her chair staining at the table to the point that it might blow up from pressure as Qrow swiveled back and forth in his chair.

The choices were before her and none of them ideal. She could get into some serious trouble with the law. She was willing to accept that though she was not willing to accept what it would to do to her family. On one hand it would ruin Yang's reputation and heck maybe even future goals, Taiyang would be looked down at his own job. Qrow could be fired and end up in jail… and Summer…. she would most certainly lose her job and face jail time.

Or she could let him go. She could let him return to the shit hole which he wanted to escape from. She would most certainly see him getting into another situation in which he would be in standoff with his father. However the thought that rang in her mind was that she got lucky. He could have died the night she got the call. Then again, if he was placed in a new home, it might work, it might not. Raven was definitely skeptical of the end result of that kind of foster care. It didn't work well for for Qrow or herself. However, this didn't even take into consideration of what Jaune wanted. He wanted to be normal, to appear normal and foster care would not be normal. One way or another the reputation would get out and with that, came the stigma.

Then there was the final option. She could formally apply to adopt him. Of course this was the preferential one way this negative harm physically. They would be able to keep an eye on him while he got the attention the poor boy deserved. He fit into the family so easily and was never headache. Yet this would ruin his reputation and heck even her's. She didn't mind that of course but the rumors the poor boy would have to endure.

"What's up?" Qrow asked he stopped his swiveling.

"Nothing." She shrugged off.

"Bull." Qrow eyed her up, "You haven't said anything for the past ten minutes, you've been staring at the table as if it was God's greatest gift to humanity."

"I have not!" She protested.

"Rae…. you have your thinking of the end of the world look."

She knew it was a mute point in trying to fight as she let out an exhausted sigh as shoulders sagged. "Qrow… you remember what it felt like when we were home?"

He raised an eyebrow. She rarely brought up those memories. It was time for him to get serious. "Yeah… unfortunately…". He whispered at the memories long thought dead.

"Qrow… I just don't know what to do…" she closed her eyes. "It's like I'm a kid again…". His usually confident and fiery sister seemed so much more less now. He didn't see his strong hearted woman that she had grown up as but instead, the scared little girl.

Qrow stood up and sat down beside his sister, taking her hand giving a squeeze, making her look at him. "I want you to answer a question. If you could, would you leave Jaune if you knew that this was all going to happen?"

Without any hesitation, "Of course not," She sounded completely defensive, almost insulted.

He couldn't help but to smile as he saw her confidence return. "There's your answer."

She stared at him blankly for a few moments before a lightbulb popped in his mind. She needed to talk to him soon about this. "We should tell Percussion,"

"I'll do it." Raven stood up feeling refreshed. She had a clear mind and clear purpose. There will be casualties on the road but it was for his good and she and her entire family would fight along side him, not for him.

They exited the office room as Qrow said his good-bye. She turned and headed back to the cafeteria to see Russell and Cardin sitting together and Weiss on her phone. "Guys, come here, I have some news."

She watched as the three students surrounded her.

Weiss was naturally curious, the tone of her voice was hard to read. It was steely and reserved yet a slight undertone of sorrow. "Jaune…. Jaune isn't here, he's at the hospital for a heart condition."

A silence hung over the students. Weiss felt her world break. It was just yesterday that the two spent four hours together learning how to play. "Is he alright?" She heard Cardin ask.

Here I am, the one who snapped at him… maybe I was somehow responsible. The anger the fury the boy shown when she stood her ground, I caused it.

Her head lowered at the realization that she did this. "That being said, we need to keep this to ourselves. Am I crystal clear?" Her voice low, almost threatening.

Weiss nodded, still not able to face them. Just when they started to reconnect, ever so slowly. "Why are you telling us this?" Russell asked.

"Well… I don't know if he's still going to be in band."

Ice blue eyes immediately snapped awake. "Oh no," Weiss whispered. She had to do something or anything.

She turned to face all of them, slowly raising her hand, her throat constricted. She raised her hand slowly. "Weiss?" Raven asked with a raised eyebrow m.

"May I be excused?"

"Go ahead. Take as much time as you need." Raven gave her an almost sympathetic look. I was the one who sent him to the hospital. I was the one who forced him out of band. She thought to herself. If she didn't snap, he might not have been so stressed out...

She had to do something, to let him know how sorry she was.

She was trembling, almost panic-stricken, as she approached the band office. She had one more thing to do before going home for the evening. She looked down at her hands to see that she was clutching onto the envelope for dear life.

She inhaled sharply, steadying her nerves. She raised her hand to the door and gave three sharp knocks. The voices immediately stopped as the door opened up. "Weiss? You should be heading home.." Raven gave her a curious look with Qrow leaning his head out.

"I uhh…." She looked down at the envelope in her hand. "Do you think he'll be here tomorrow day?" She asked not looking at him.

Raven looked to her brother who shook his head, "Extremely unlikely."

Weiss looked at her hesitantly. "Do you think you'll see either him or his parents?"

Again the woman looked for a response only to receive a shrug. "Yeah. After band camp…. I'll be talking with his… parents."

Weiss slowly lifted the envelope and offered it to her, "For him." She finally mustered her strength. "A good leader cares about those under them." She explained mostly for herself instead of the others.

"You don't need to explain, I understand." Raven smiled placing a hand on her shoulder with a reassuring smile. "I'll deliver it promptly, I'm sure he'll be touched." With that, Weiss felt the envelope was being lifted off her shoulder as well a great burden. Yet she couldn't shake this one feeling deep down. Like it was enough. Not nearly enough. "Go home; tomorrow will be a long time, get some rest."

"Right. Have a good night Mrs. Branwen."

"Raven." She corrected with a roll of the eyes. With that she watched the white-haired leader go home to a well earned night of sleep. She looked down at the card in her hands. She turned it over to see 'Jaune' written in very neat and precise cursive. It was clear that this wasn't of those cheap Hallmark cards you got at the dollar store. "Didn't see that coming…" Qrow gave a knowing smile.

Raven went back to the office, sitting in the other chair and kicking her own legs up on her brother's desk. "Yeah… neither did I." She agreed as she looked at the card, half tempted to open it up herself. Yet she suppressed those feelings, this for him and she would not invade his privacy like that.

"Makes you kinda wanna read it… huh?"

Instinctively she shoved her brother. "You aren't helping," earning a chuckle from him.

A/N

Hey guys! Holy crap! Another chapter so quickly? huh... odd... that isn't me... let me say that I want to upload more and more, but work :/ I'm getting back into my groove... I think?

Anywhoo... the goal of this chapter was two fold... for the rest of this story, I want you guys to remember the beginning quote. It does have a significant role throughout the story. Anywho... goals. A: We are beginning to see the legal ramifications of the Branwen actions... the truth is officially out. Principal Ozpin knows... and that's going to open a whole can of nasty worms...

Now... I also wanted to Jaune get reacquainted with a duality. Being (basically a lone wolf) all his life with basically being in a pack. He was used to being alone (which has really warped how he thinks about things...) and now he's basically in a group that actually gives a shit. People in his situation, would either embrace the pack or become even more of a lone wolf. I guess we'll have to see where Jaune goes. But, I need to emphasize this, it not a one done situation, these things take time, is one of the biggest themes in this story. Again just my thoughts ya know?

Also Weiss... feels bad... and did something good...? *le gasp*

So I have a question! What do you guys think so far? What are your thoughts to the whole legal ramifications? How do you think Jaune will feel when he finds out about this? What do you think Weiss said in this strange envelope...? I love to hear any thoughts, reactions, questions, predictions, criticisms, any and all! Let me know! It really keeps me going!

Alright... Enough of me talking

Reviews! (even though im still talking... oops)

DragonManMax: MY FRIEND! *HUG* It has been too long! What is love? The deepest philosophical question right next to: Cherry or blueberry pie... keeps me up at night man... really does. I felt like Yang would have slugged... in a normal situation, definitely crying, but sleep deprived? I guess that could have worked too... grrrrrr... missed an opportunity. I love me some tears! Funny thing... I have more time to write during school than I do at work... lol SO MORE CHAPTERS!

Deco. 64: Hey there my friend! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! Hope you liked the next one!

Guest: Guess we'll have to find out together huh :)

Wes217: *HUG* WESSSSSSSS HI MAN! Been some time huh? You're review... This feels really really familiar... and I can't remember it (which really bothers me!) I'm glad you liked the chapter! Hope you liked this one.

Housekeeping!

As for the newer people who may or may not have started to follow me... I stream! I stream on twitch during the school year. I play a lot of strategy games and shooters (I know... I'm an odd ball) and League (god help me!) So if you want to stop in and say hi, chill out, watch me be garbage at games, and just have fun together, follow lordxsauronx15. It'll be fun, and I'll have the occasional guest on where we talk about literally and anything :D First stream will be *hopefully* August 27th and 28th! Hope to see you all there!

Thank you so much!

Loredxsauron