Just a fun "what if" scenario that came to mind after the latest volume's finale. Not especially long, mind, although I could probably turn it into something more down the road.

Leaving the Heart of Creation had been a momentous occasion. A reunion with her daughters, meeting their team, and finally, finally finding a way out of that place.

One might have called it a paradise. No Grimm, no conflict. Trees provided food aplenty and the forests teemed with life. The only threats Summer had ever encountered were tripping over exposed roots, eating undercooked meat, or prolonged exposure to the twin sun that cast the landscape in a perpetual dawn. It had been serene, almost too good to give up.

It had also been a lie. She had been alone, or if others had been lost there like her then she had never found them. Fifteen years of isolation. A decade and a half without human interaction.

Somehow, she had kept sane. By sheer willpower alone she held the fraying edges of her mind together, her hope.

And she had been rewarded handsomely for it.

Recalling her reunion with Ruby and Yang proved difficult. Not because it was unpleasant but because of the tumultuous emotions it dredged up.

Relief. Elation. Unbridled joy.

Shame. Anguish. Terror in knowing they had been forced into the war she had tried to end.

That she had unequivocally failed.

How long had it taken them to leave? A week? Months? By the time they had discovered the secret to the Heart she had long stopped counting. Stopped caring. Her children were there. Fallen like her, sure, but it proved there had to be another door.

The Brothers needed a way to leave just as they did. All they needed to do was find that exit.

And they had. At the base of the gargantuan tree Yggdrasil, they located a room of nine doorways. Nine. The fact that so many more realms beyond their own existed had left them in a collective stunned silence for what felt like hours.

She had never been able to reach it before herself. Fatigue always set in whenever she'd approach the tree. Her limbs would grow heavy, her mind clouded, and she would turn back or risk collapsing.

The tree had been one of the few things in the realm that posed a danger to her.

Twin pairs of silver eyes had provided the means to cleave through the veil surrounding it.

Unsure of what awaited them on the other side they moved as one, hand in hand. Save for the peculiarly quiet girl Neo, although Jaune did try to offer his hand to her more than once.

He was nice. Quirky, a bit lanky looking, like a slender version of Tai, but nice.

Would Ruby settle down with him? Someone else? And what of Yang and her partner? In the face of everything and nothing Summer had long since given up on the notion of having a family again. Of growing it. Now though? Her eyes sparkled mischievously as Ruby, and Yang stood at the mouth of the portal and a smile curled her lips.

Maybe she would have a grandbaby to hold after all.

Provided the portal they were entering did not kill them, that is.

When she had fallen here the sensation had been peculiar enough. Sheer weightlessness and all of her senses ripped from her. Nothing existed. Only thought assured her that she had been alive, although when the world suddenly blinked into being around her Summer had thought that would change. Color flooded her vision, the sound of waves crashing upon the shore, the cry of a myriad of birds trilling.

Overwhelming. The impact had not helped either and she had marveled how her Aura-less self hadn't become a pancake upon landing.

This time it had been different. The same weightlessness came but so too did a balmy, oppressive air. She felt stretched and compressed, knew nothing yet felt everything. Color swirled around them; shapes lost their figure. A scream died long before it reached her lips and her eyes fixed themselves on a blinding white maw at the far end of the tunnel.

Wasn't going towards the light how people usually died? Aw beans… We screwed up, didn't we?

Then her feet hit the sand. A panicked pinwheeling of her arms spared her an unceremonious faceplant, although Jaune hadn't been so lucky. She watched the boy tumble into existence, a baby shot through a cannon into the world. Although this baby sported armor, a full head of hair, and had a solid foot of height on her. So maybe "baby" wasn't an apt description.

On all fours Jaune gagged then retched up their lunch onto the hot sands.

Maybe it was fitting after all.

What came after had been all a blur. They had been dumped into Vacuo - the city, not the kingdom itself - and Huntsmen had wasted no time in approaching them. It wasn't every day seven people suddenly appeared in the middle of your city's busiest street, something a cheeky looking Faunus boy jibbed as he and others embraced her girls. The Schnee heiress "but-not-heiress, but also totally an heiress" - Yang's unhelpful explanation of Weiss - collapsed and let out a long, loud groan of relief.

Friends. Her daughters had made so many friends. So many allies. Summer's heart danced with delight at the sight of it and the coarse wind slapping her face had nothing to do with the tears in her eyes.

Things were bad, yes. But seeing Ruby and Yang embraced in a small crowd, in laughter and tears, everything seemed brighter. More welcoming.

Although she could have done with going to a different kingdom. Leaving one sandy expanse for another…

Summer wiped at her face with her tattered cloak and figured she might as well find somewhere to rest, preferably in the shade. Already Vacuo's stifling heat had begun to draw sweat to the fore and dry her mouth. Water would be lovely, as would a proper bed.

A shower. I can take a shower again. The moan she loosed might have seemed off, not that she would have cared. Summer wiggled on the spot and cupped her own cheeks, gone gaunt in her years away. Or maybe a bath. Maybe both!

Amazing how simple pleasures could bring someone so much delight.

Beaming and feeling rejuvenated already she whirled on her heel, took two steps, and froze on the spot. Her eyes widened and she ignored the pamphlet that slapped against her face in the wind, wiping it away absently as she stared ahead.

And three sets of eyes stared right back.

When she had seen Ruby and Yang it had been… Emotional. Summer had assumed her mind had finally failed her and she'd gone insane. Hallucinating. Then both girls knocked her to the ground, and she became soaked by tears of joy, hugged and squeezed until her bones ached from it. The most pleasurable ache she had known in a decade. After spending the better part of two days like that she had managed to settle enough to focus on trying to leave.

They had not been in Vacuo that long, and as awful as the heat felt Summer knew it wouldn't make her see things yet. When Taiyang began taking tentative steps towards her then she broke into a spring, a choked, wrangled sob forcing itself past her pale, cracked lips. She threw herself at him and he barely budged, linking her arms around his neck and embracing him. Clinging to him.

Ruby and Yang hadn't vanished when they hugged yet she feared Tai might. That maybe she had died in the portal coming back and this was heaven. Or some cruel, cruel joke of Salem's.

She smelled the familiar scent of pine on his skin, felt the rough, calloused hand gentle tousle her hair like she was a child. Through sobs she managed to giggle, fingers curling against his leathers. Tears and snot wiped against his sand-flaked shirt and she pulled away with an almost delirious, apologetic smile, pulled into another crushing hug before she felt her feet touch ground again.

"Good to see you again, Summer. It's been…" Tai swallowed and ran a hand through his coarse hair. "Heh, a while huh?"

"Too long," Summer nodded. "When this is all over, we should all -"

Qrow interrupted by snatching her off her feet and spinning her. Feeling her feet leave the ground she clung to him, giggling like mad. Her laughter mixed with his and she laughed louder for it, grabbing on to keep from slipping free.

"Good to see you again, shortstack," Qrow rasped, blinking rapidly as his throat bobbed.

Stupid boys, always trying to hide their emotions. Summer wiped a tear that hadn't fallen and grinned, her own cheeks becoming soaked.

"Right back at you, stilts."

"Heh, you brat."

The assault on her hair couldn't stand. By now she probably looked like a porcupine. Not that her hair had been tidy before; beauty kind of fell to the wayside when you were stuck in purgatory. That didn't keep Summer from trying to smooth it out after Qrow ruffled it, grinning and winking at him. Her tongue shot out and she tittered when he shot back.

That only left one person on her team. Someone she hadn't expected to ever see again. Well, to be fair she hadn't expected to see any of them again, but after Ruby and Yang showed up with their friends she had dared to hope. Hope beyond hope, and yet tempered it knowing, assuming that some people would remain out of reach. Summer stepped away from Qrow and her smile ebbed, silver eyes staring uncertainly into pools of red. Her partner stared back, her face the same impassive, emotionless mask that she always wore. One that Summer knew intimately well after all these years.

The face of someone trying like hell to hide what they felt. Of trying to maintain a semblance of strength by throttling all of her emotions.

Raven didn't move so much as an inch which left Summer to take the first step. And the second. Behind them she heard the kids laugh and begin to celebrate, cheering and enjoying their own reunion. The jubilation conflicted with the tightness in her chest as she came within reach of Raven. She lifted her chin slightly to peer up at the woman, blinking as Raven turned her head away, clearing her throat but remaining silent.

"Rae…?"

The woman stiffened but remained silent, refusing to look at her.

Summer pursed her lips and raked her palm across Raven's cheek.

Not hard. Well, not too hard. Enough that surprise registered on Raven's face and she stumbled but not enough to floor her. She deserved that much. For all she had done, for all Summer had learned, the woman needed a good dope-slap. Probably a butt kicking too but there would be time for that later.

Summer's arms leashed themselves around Raven and she pulled her partner into as tight an embrace as she could manage. She could feel her trembling against herself, the emotions beneath the surface vying for freedom. Summer closed her eyes and smiled, running a hand up and down Raven's back.

She had considered what she might say to her teammates if she had ever seen them again. And sure, Tai and Qrow's antics had kind of ruined her awesome entrance, and the clever, thoughtful speeches she had rehearsed a hundred times over. Something about fighting beyond realms, never giving up.

It would've been the coolest thing ever. She'd have looked like a total badass!

"I forgive you, Raven."

Sometimes, it was the simple things that meant the most.

Raven let out a rattling sob before arms wrapped around her hard enough that Summer wheezed. Tears began to fall against her neck and Summer smiled, lips trembling as her hand continued to dance along her partner's back.

"I forgive you," she whispered softly, rocking on her heels. "I forgive you."

A mantra. Repeated over and over until she felt tired of saying it. Until Raven's crying had been subdued and all that had been left were sniffles and faint whimpers. Easing back, Summer put on her brightest smile and reached up, wiping Raven's cheeks dry with a giggle.

"You always were such a crybaby," she cooed.

"Shut up." Raven tried to growl but she choked on another whine. Hard to look intimidating too when you nuzzled someone's hand like a cat.

Summer giggled, letting her hands run down her partner's arms before grabbing her hands. With a lopsided smile she swung them, her head angling with a tilt. "Did you think a little fall would keep me away for long."

"I mean, it has been fifteen years," Qrow drawled, grunting as Tai's elbow dug into him.

"We figured you'd died…"

"Nope!" Summer popped the 'p' and grinned, eyes shimmering again. "I'm only, like, the coolest Huntress ever!"

"Self-proclaimed," Raven snorted.

"Nuh-uh! Ruby and Yang called me that, so it's official." Summer dropped Raven's hands and wagged a finger in her face. "You can't tell me otherwise, Branwen. Our daughters are way smarter than we are! Their word is law!"

"A decade away and she's still a better mom than you, Raven."

Tai's playful barb made Raven cringe and earned a glare from Summer. At least Qrow had the decency to try and not laugh, not that the hand over his mouth hid his trembling shoulders or his sputtering.

Time and place, Tai! Time and place!

Summer rolled her eyes as Raven barked at Tai, who naturally barked back just as loud. So much for things changing while she was away.

Except they had, that much was clear as she stepped back and took in her team. They were all older, obviously. Tai looked leaner now, nowhere near the bundle of rippling muscle he had been at the height of their team's fame. Qrow's hair had been streaked silver, his posture made her cringe, but seeing him smile like a kid took the edge off. Raven looked pretty much the same save for the bags under her eyes. No gray hair, no extra cellulite around her waist.

Jerk. Some girls had all the luck with their genes.

Summer giggled and took it all in. The flapping rainbow-colored banners hanging from stringers spanning the roads. The sandstone buildings casting the roads in shade and shielding them from Vacuo's harshest winds. The not insignificant number of civilians watching everything they were doing with rapt attention. A queasiness bubbled in her gut and she drew up her hood, sputtered when sand fell out, then dropped it again and swiped at her hair to clean it.

"Mom! Hey mom!"

Ruby beamed as she skidded to a halt beside her, bouncing excitedly on her feet. For everything they had been through it felt nothing short of inspiring to see her so happy. And knowing that her reappearance had something to do with that, however self-important that might sound, filled her with a warmth that even Vacuo couldn't hope to beat.

"We're all going to go celebrate! There's a restaurant nearby and Sun swears it's the best place in the whole city!" All fifteen of them? Summer glanced at the kids gathered, raising an eyebrow and smiling. "We were wondering if you guys wanted to come!"

Qrow snorted and joined them, reaching out and smirking as Ruby danced away from his outstretched hand. "What? You don't think us old-timers will cramp your style?"

"Old timer? I'm still cool!" Tai protested.

Raven rolled her eyes and sauntered over. "You were never 'cool', Tai. None of us are 'cool' here."

Tai's jaw dropped, then Qrow's. Summer's eyebrows rose a bit higher, and she raised a hand, dropped it, and blinked rapidly. "Did… You just make a joke, Rae?"

"What? I always make jokes!" The wind whistled around them. Someone nearby cleared their throat and a vein in Raven's forehead pulsed. "I'm hilarious! I make the best jokes!"

"See, now that's a joke," Qrow said, wincing and grabbing his arm. "Ow, bitch!"

"Not in front of Ruby!" Summer placed her hands over her daughter's ears. "Qrow, no swearing!"

"Mom, I'm eighteen! It's fine!" Ruby giggled, face glowing as she grinned. "And I can hear you anyways. Plus, Yang's said way worse!"

Oh? That called for her best motherly 'I'm angry, but I'm willing to hear you out before I pass judgment' face. One she hadn't used in ages and more on her team than her girls, but judging by Ruby's nervous smile it still worked. Summer put her hands on her hips and leaned forward, tapping a foot and kicking up a small cloud of sand.

"Uh… Hehe, I mean, a-are you coming with us or what?" Ruby shook her head and held her hands out. "We're going to get tons of food and tons of non-alcoholic drinks! We should have fun, right? Celebrate!"

"We're at war," Raven grumbled. "Fun doesn't have a place here."

Summer turned her attention from daughter to partner and her expression softened. "Come on, Raven. It's a party almost twenty years in the making. If we're not going to have fun now then when?"

"After we beat Salem, of course!"

Ruby beamed, eyes fixed solely on her. Summer felt her heart swell again and she kept herself from attacking her daughter with hugs and kisses. Barely. Optimism felt nice. Long overdue and maybe even dangerous, but nice.

"Come on, let's show these kids how to throw a real party." Tai grinned and punched his palm, nudging Qrow's shoulder and winking. "They could never hang with us in our heyday!"

"Ah, I don't drink anymore though, remember? You and Rae will have to take over for me."

"I am not drinking myself into a stupor," Raven growled. "Tai can drink enough for us all."

"Works for me! I'll show these kids how rad team STRQ still is!"

Qrow snorted. "Dude, you got hurt getting out of bed today."

"I can drink too, you know," Summer said, flushing when her teammates looked at her skeptically. "Oh, come on, I'm a grown woman!" she protested, throwing her arms up. "So it's been a while!"

"Guys, I said non-alcoholic drinks!" Ruby whined.

Which had been the perfect time for Yang to come over and throw an arm around Ruby's shoulders, her face split by a shit-eating grin that Summer recognized from Tai. Oh dear. She tossed her blond hair and chuckled. "A hundred Lien says I can outdrink you, dad."

"Oh yeah? A thousand says you can't!"

Summer balked. "Taiyang Xiao Long, no gambling with your daughter!"

"No, no, I want to see this," Raven hushed her as she began digging for money.

Qrow merely smiled and shrugged, more than content it seemed to keep out of whatever was brewing. Ruby's whine of protest went unheard as Yang cheered, pumping a fist, and grabbing Tai's arm to drag him along. Her challenge had not been a secret apparently as several of the kids began to cheer, clasping him on the back and moving away with him. Weiss Schnee shook her head and motioned for Ruby to follow, and Summer watched as Blake Belladonna hurried after Yang, looking every bit as exasperated as Summer felt.

She had only just gotten back and already they were acting like their old selves again.

Summer's lips trembled and a soft giggle passed them.

She would not have it any other way.

"Come on, team! STRQ's first new mission in ages awaits!" Summer whirled on her heel and pointed forward, marching comically ahead of the twins. "Time to show these kids how to responsibly have a good time!"

"You make parties sound so lame, Sum," Qrow teased.

Summer took the ribbing with a smile and sticking out her tongue.

"Hey, think I can get Ruby to drink too?" Raven wondered aloud.

"Responsible fun!" Summer hollered, then giggled as the twins ushered her along, beaming as she watched the crowd ahead of them practically vibrate with excitement.

War was still on the horizon and there would be no telling how things might turn out.

Even more reason then to enjoy themselves while they could. To relish what they had together and live their lives to the fullest. Even if they were in a sandy, scorching city.

Summer had made it back to Remnant at long, long last.

And she'd be sure to enjoy every second of it.

It's a long, LONG shot for this to ever be true but hey, that's what fanfiction is for, right? :P Thanks for reading my silly brain fart and have a lovely day!