Chapter 38

After the meal, the group headed to a nearby mall. There was much more variety in the shops than anywhere on Patch, even the city of Signal. The prices were also almost universally lower. Nora was particularly eager to visit a shop that sold freshly made candy, and Pyrrha looked forward to visiting a store that sold rare books.

"Books are for nerds." Nora teased.

"And I'm a huge nerd." Pyrrha declared, taking it in stride. "One day I'll have a study, with bookshelves lining the walls, all stocked with rare editions I've collected and read over the years."

"Nerd!" Yang exclaimed.

"I had some older books, but Nora accidentally set them on fire." Ren sighed.

"I told you not to trust me with candles." Nora shrugged. "It was a hell of a clean-up though, right Jaune?"

"Yeah, sure." Jaune answered. "Hey, uh...there's something I want to look at. I'll meet up with you guys later." He waved halfheartedly, then split off from the group before anyone could protest.

"Am I the only one who thinks he's acting strange?" Pyrrha asked.

"No, there is certainly something wrong." Ren replied.

"Maybe he's depressed again." Yang theorized. "Oh, I know, I can cheer him up. Ooh! Better yet, we can cheer him up." Yang elbowed Pyrrha. "Huh? Huh?" Pyrrha just sighed. "Come on, he's surprisingly good in bed."

"Yang, no." Pyrrha refused.

"Yang yes?" Yang persisted. Pyrrha glared at her. "Fine, I guess we could just, you know, talk to him, like normal people. How boring…"

"Hey...uh...why don't you two go to the bookstore." Nora suggested. "Me and Ren'll go talk to him."

"Yes, I'm sure whatever is wrong has something to do with us." Ren agreed. "He has been noticeably quiet at home."

"Are you sure you don't want us to help?" Pyrrha pressed.

"Yeah, we've got this." Nora confirmed. "Go be a nerd. Hmm...I bet you've never had sex in a bookstore. Maybe give it a shot."

"Does a library count?" Pyrrha asked. Mouths agape, Yang and Nora stared at Pyrrha.

"She was remarkably quiet, as befitted the setting." Ren noted.

"Well then...Pyrrha and I will be going." Yang managed. "To do nerd stuff...sexy nerd stuff…"

Yang practically dragged Pyrrha away, leaving Nora and Ren to follow after Jaune. They found him staring at the display in the front of a shop, but looking through it more than at it. He seemed oblivious, even as the pair walked right up to him. "Jaune!" Nora exclaimed.

Jaune literally jumped, twisting midair and nearly falling over. "Nora...you scared the shit out of me…" Jaune huffed.

"Hehe, sorry, couldn't resist." Nora chuckled.

"Why did you guys follow me?" Jaune asked. "Go have fun with-"

"Jaune, what's wrong?" Nora asked.

"Wrong?" Jaune raised his eyebrow. "Nothing's wrong."

"You are still a terrible liar." Ren observed. "You've not been acting yourself for some time, and tonight your behavior was particularly concerning."

"No I...I...you got me." Jaune sighed. "I don't really want to talk about it though."

"Too bad." Nora draped her arm around Jaune's shoulders. "Because if you don't I'll put you in a headlock until you do."

"I don't have a chiropractor, so I guess I'll talk." Jaune grumbled. "It's just...I feel like I don't have a place."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Nora asked.

"I...you and Ren, you're having a kid, you're getting married." Jaune noted. "Pyrrha and Yang got together, Yang's moving on with her life and Pyrrha's getting her degree in a few months. Me...I've got nothing. I don't have a job, I just live at your place, without even paying rent because I can't afford it, and I don't even know what I want to do with my life. You're all growing up, finding your place, and I feel like I'm being left behind. Hell, I feel like if anything I'm holding you guys back, getting in the way of your relationship."

"Well that's absurd." Ren scoffed.

"Huh?" Jaune tilted his head.

"You could never get in the way of our relationship." Nora declared.

"Why?" Jaune asked.

"Because you're part of it silly!" Nora exclaimed. "You're family! Hell, if I could make you my husband too, I would, but that's not legal, like, anywhere. And who cares if you don't have a job or plans for the future. Do you think I'm planning ahead? You just haven't found what you want to do. Once that happens, you'll be back on track in no time. You should never feel like you're in the way or falling behind or out of place. You'll always have a place with us. Right Ren?" Ren nodded. "See! You're like the best friend ever, and I wouldn't change a thing about what we have, unless you want to, then I'm totally down for new stuff."

"Wow I...so I've been worrying and feeling like shit all this time for nothing?" Jaune shook his head.

"Pretty much!" Nora confirmed.

"Part of the family, second husband...I never really thought of it like that." Jaune managed a smile.

"Hell, you might be the kid's father for all I know." Nora chuckled. "Bet you thought I was on the pill…" Jaune's jaw dropped as he stared at Nora. After a moment she burst into uncontrollable laughter.

"I really hope you're not serious...but I know you're serious." Jaune sighed. "Maidens I hope that kid isn't blonde…" He took a step toward Nora, intending to wrap her in an embrace. His step made a squishing sound and he stopped short. Jaune looked down, spotting the puddle surrounding his feet and Nora's. He followed it upward, the stream originating from under Nora's dress, running down her leg. "Uh...did your water break?"

Nora stopped laughing, looked down, paused for a moment, then started cackling. "Nope, I just pissed myself!" Jaune glared at her. "Hey, I'm pregnant, I get to do this!"

"I'll find a janitor." Ren declared.

"Oh, get over here and hug me!" Nora demanded. She stepped forward and grabbed Jaune, wrapping him up tightly.

Jaune managed a laugh. "Thanks Nora. I've never been happier to be standing in a puddle of urine."

"I think I'll get more fries." Ruby decided. "The refills are free. It would be a waste if I didn't take advantage."

"Take it easy kiddo." Qrow advised. Ruby had been surprised to receive his lunch invitation, coming just two weeks after his last visit. He had gone years without traveling but since his trip to Patch following Yang's accident, it seemed he had turned into a bonafide globetrotter.

"What, are you going to say something about my weight?" Ruby pouted.

"No, but eating too much of this crap is bad for your health." Qrow replied.

"He has a point." Blake agreed. "Even Weiss is a little worried about your diet."

"But unhealthy stuff is so tasty." Ruby whined.

"Moderate, Ruby." Qrow added. "Speaking of which." He waved to get the waitress' attention and she walked over. "We'll take three...wait...Ruby, how old are you?"

"Seventeen." Ruby answered.

"Okay, two glasses of champagne and a milkshake." Qrow placed his order.

"Champagne, but...your sobriety!" Ruby exclaimed. Ignoring the outburst, Blake showed the waitress her ID, confirming she was old enough for alcohol.

"Hey, it's just one glass of mediocre champagne." Qrow said. "I'm not going to turn back into a drunk the second a drop of booze touches my tongue. Besides, it's a special occasion."

"Oh?" Ruby asked.

"Yeah, I'm in Atlas because I got called for a second interview at Ironworks." Qrow explained. "I went this morning…"

Earlier that Day

Qrow entered the waiting room and walked up to the reception desk to check in. The secretary was the same who had been there when he had had his first interview. The way she looked at him told Qrow she was interested, but now was not the time for flirting. He was not about to do anything that would jeopardize his getting the job. He took a seat and picked up a trade magazine to read while he waited. Before he could finish a paragraph he noticed someone looming over him. Qrow lowered the magazine and was confronted by a clean-cut man in a white suit.

"Mr. Branwen." The man said, offering his gloved right hand to shake. Qrow noticed his finger twitch.

"Yessir." Qrow stood and shook the man's hand. "It's an honor to meet you General."

"I'm not a general anymore." The man said. "Call me Ironwood."

"Alright Mr. Ironwood." Qrow nodded. "Heck of an operation you've got here."

"Thank you." Ironwood responded. "Please, follow me." He led Qrow down a hallway, then unlocked a door and waved Qrow inside. Qrow found himself in a rather modest office, with bookcases lining the walls on either side, and a window overlooking the factory floor behind the desk. "Please, take a seat." Qrow sat in a chair before the desk and Ironwood sat across from him. "So, tell me about…"

Ironwood asked Qrow a series of questions. It was fairly basic job interview stuff, no problem for Qrow. He was distracted, however. One of the fingers on Ironwood's right hand kept twitching. Qrow knew a little about the retired general, including the fact that he had lost much of the right side of his body in an explosion. Highly advanced prosthetics of the general's own design replaced his lost limbs. Vacuo had its share of disabled military veterans, many of whom used similar prosthetics. Qrow had worked on a variety of models, and he was seeing something he had seen before.

"Uh, sorry, Mr. Ironwood, but you've got a bit of a twitch there." Qrow interrupted the flow of the conversation. "Your ring finger, either it's a short or a calibration issue...though given your expertise and the consistency, this is probably a test of some sort."

Ironwood stared at Qrow with a blank look. As the seconds ticked by, each seeming an eternity, Qrow became less and less sure of his analysis. Then Ironwood smiled. "Very good." Ironwood praised. "It seems you're just as perceptive as your present employer indicated." He paused for a moment. "He said a few other things as well."

"Oh?" Qrow asked.

"That you're a recovered alcoholic, temperamental, confrontational, and difficult to get along with." Ironwood continued. "But, that you're also brilliant, dedicated, and a really great guy, once one gets to know you. How do you feel about that assessment?"

"I can't say he's wrong." Qrow admitted. "Though, I would amend it to say I'm easier to get along with, now that I'm sober."

Ironwood smirked and looked Qrow over. "Hmm…" He looked up. "Alright. When can you start?"

"Wha...you're serious?" Qrow struggled. Ironwood nodded. "Well, I should probably give my employer two weeks, but after that I should be good to go."

"Good." Ironwood stood. Qrow followed, again shaking his hand. "There's still some paperwork I need you to fill out, just pick it up from my secretary on the way out. I look forward to seeing what you can do."

Present Day

"This is so awesome!" Ruby exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. Only the table that separated them prevented her from leaping into a hug with her uncle. "I can't believe you're gonna' be moving here! Now we'll get to visit each other all the time!"

"That's right kiddo, and the pay ain't bad either." Qrow smiled. The waitress arrived just in time with the champagne and milkshake. "A toast." He raised his glass, followed by the others.

"To family!" Ruby cheered. The trio clinked their glasses together.

Qrow downed his champagne and stared at the glass. "Hmm...I should have gone with a milkshake too. That was really cheap shit."

"Good thing Weiss isn't here." Blake chuckled. "She'd have launched into a tirade about the merits of fine wine."

"Where is Weiss?" Qrow asked. "You told her she was invited too, right?"

"Yeah, I told her." Ruby confirmed. "She said she had to study. She's been studying a lot lately…"

"You noticed too, huh?" Blake shook her head. "I guess she's still not over the Neon thing."

"Eh, I'm sure she'll bounce back." Qrow declared. "She's a tough one, I can tell."

"Maybe we should have brought her some of Sun's brownies." Ruby suggested. Qrow raised a curious eyebrow. "Oh, yeah, our friend Sun had a birthday parties, with pot brownies and Secret Sauce."

"Secret Sauce?" Qrow asked.

"Street legal, homebrew LSD." Blake noted.

"Man, you're taking the whole 'try new things' part of college to heart." Qrow chuckled. "Have a good trip?"

"Yeah!" Ruby nodded excitedly. "I saw the Maidens, and Blake was a kitty!"

"I did acid once." Qrow reminisced. "My trip wasn't great. One second I was dancing on a rainbow, the next I was being chased across that rainbow by demons with Raven's face. Terrifying."

With a light jolt and a moment of screeching rubber, the plane touched down, rolling smoothly as it slowed. When it came to a halt at the gate and the door was opened, Winter was one of the first off. Carry-on in hand, she walked through the airport, opening up her scroll to call Summer, letting her know she had landed. Winter headed for baggage claim, and only had to wait a few minutes before her two sizable bags were circling on the conveyer belt. She hefted them off and placed the wheeled suitcases on the floor, balancing her carry-on atop one as she lifted the handles and pulled them along behind her.

After a brief stop at customs, Winter headed to the end of the pick-up/drop-off area, the one opposite the taxis. It would be less crowded, allowing Summer to drive right up to the curb. As she waited, Winter tapped at her scroll, sending texts to Weiss and Blake to let them know she had safely arrived. She knew Weiss in particularly would be worried about her. Winter did not like flying, but she had not been afflicted with the same phobia Weiss suffered. Turbulence or flying through bad weather still made Winter anxious, but she had mastered some calming techniques that helped her cope.

After a few minutes, Summer arrived in her sedan, pulling to a halt in front of Winter. Summer got out, joined Winter on the sidewalk and stopped, not sure what to do next. Should she go for it or just keep things professional? Winter made the choice for her, releasing her bags to wrap Summer in a tight embrace. After a quick peck on the cheek from each, they separated. "It's good to see you again." Summer declared. "I missed you."

"It's good to be back." Winter smiled. "And I missed you too."

"I hope we can fit your bags in the car." Summer sighed. "There isn't much cargo room. Why did you bring so much?"

"I'm going to be staying for a while, so I thought I'd bring some extras." Winter replied.

"At least it'll be a good workout." Summer shrugged. She opened the trunk, then tried to life one of Winter's suitcases. After grunting and straining, she was unable to lift it. "What's in here, rocks?"

"A surprise." Winter smirked.

"Should I be worried?" Summer asked.

"Probably." Winter chuckled. "Here, let me help." Together she and Summer were able to heft the bag into the trunk, where it just barely fit. "I guess the other bags will have to ride in the back seat."

"I hope they're lighter." Summer grumbled. Winter tossed her carry-on into the car's back seat. Summer picked up her other suitcase - it was in fact much lighter - and loaded it in. Summer rounded the front of the car, taking a seat behind the wheel as Winter climbed into the passenger's seat. "How was your flight?"

"Long." Winter replied. "Smooth though."

"Good." Summer nodded, putting the car in gear and pulling away from the curb. "Ruby said your flight back was rough."

"It was rather bumpy." Winter confirmed. "I feel bad for Weiss, she's struggled with planes ever since our parents passed."

"I know this is totally inappropriate, but I have this image of Weiss fighting an airplane in my head right now." Summer stifled a laugh.

"Hmm...maybe I could convince Ruby to draw that." Winter thought aloud. "That does make for an amusing image."

"So, do you want to stop to eat or anything?" Summer offered.

"No, let's just head to the house." Winter declined. "I want to get some rest before the exciting times ahead." Summer blushed furiously as Winter met her with a coy grin.

Once at the house, Summer did her best to help Winter with her heavy bags, the pair dragging them inside, their wheels helping little on the gravel drive. "Looks like the girls are still at the gym." Summer observed, noting the absence of Pyrrha's car. She had kept Winter updated on Yang's progress, including her return to work.

"I'd like to lie down." Winter declared once the work was complete. "Do you want me to take the guest room?"

"Well, it's kind of a mess." Summer replied. "It's really the workout room now. You could...you could just rest in my bed. We can share if you don't mind."

"Are you sure?" Winter asked.

"Y-yes." Summer struggled. "It's just…" She trailed off.

Winter pulled Summer into an embrace. "It's just what Summer?"

"I think maybe I've fallen for you." Summer mumbled.

"That's a big thing to admit, Summer." Winter noted.

"I know, I know, it's sudden and quick a-" Summer started.

Winter silenced Summer with a kiss on the lips, short but passionate. "I love you too Sum, sudden and quick as it may be."

"I-I love you t-too." Summer stammered.

Winter took one of her suitcases with her as she headed for the bedroom, instructing Summer to leave the other where it was. Though Winter was casually dressed, Summer expected her to change before napping. Instead, Winter simply kicked off her shoes and flopped down on the bed. "I'm exhausted." Winter huffed. "Traveling always wipes me out."

"I haven't traveled much, so I can't really-" Summer said.

"Would you like to join me?" Winter asked, patting the bed beside her. Summer became a flustered, tongue-tied mess. "I just want to snuggle. It's been quite a while."

"Yeah, of course, right." Summer managed. She sat on the edge of the bed, hesitating for a moment before laying down. "I...I suppose you should be the big spoon."

"Unless you want to be a backpack." Winter chuckled. "Seriously though, whatever you're comfortable with."

"Small spoon it is." Summer nodded. She turned to allow her partner to embrace her from behind, but could not help but feel a wave of surprise and heat when Winter snuggled up to her. "I think I could get used to this."

"Me too." Winter declared, yawning.