If Weiss Schnee could use a single word to describe her current situation, it would be frustration.

"I've got to go." Jaune stated.

Weiss's brow furrowed as he quickly pushed out his chair and began walking away from their table. Never, in all of her life, had someone so rudely departed her presence. He was already halfway towards the exit before she noticed his quickening pace. Peeved, Weiss quickly pushed out her and placed her hands on her hips.

"And just where do you think you're going? If you've somehow forgotten, we have a presentation…due." Weiss faltered.

Jaune had already departed the library much to her annoyance, it was as if the blonde dunce had completely ignored her. Her. HER! She was Weiss Schnee, heiress to the SDC and quite obviously the crush of a certain blonde swordsman. He had ignored her in favour of whatever in the name of the brothers had him so distracted. Grumbling under her breath, Weiss sat back down in her seat and began angrily copying her from the history books. She looked up towards her still steaming mug and pushed it away, she couldn't bare taste the beverage with herself still steaming in anger. TWO DAYS! In two days, they had a presentation due, and they had barely gotten their content together. That's also not taking into account the other classes they had between then.

If Weiss was going to pass, she was going to pass with flying colours while that dolt begged to have his name tagged onto her grade.

######

Jaune sat on the airship, his head hanging low with his mouth agape and eyes wide. Maybe the guy was wrong, maybe it was Terra and a friend? Saphron is probably at the hospital right now. Wait, no that makes no sense. Obviously, the blonde woman and toddler was Saph and Adrian…

Oh Gods, Adrian. The guy had said they were in critical condition.

The airship touched down. Jaune's head snapped up as he leapt towards the exit and began running, no, sprinting towards Vale General. He brought out his scroll to gain directions; next left, 200 meters, third exit at the round-a-bout, 500 meters, take a left, you have reached your destination.

Jaune narrowly avoided an older gentleman in a wheelchair being wheeled out to presumably wait for his ride. He didn't care, even if he managed to clip the man he would have kept going. He didn't matter, not now.

He skidded to a halt in front of the reception desk. The young Faunus nurse jumping lightly as he came into her vision. Jaune stammered out Terra's name as the nurse's eyes widened before telling him to wait as she called somebody over. He looked to where she was beckoning, her words dying at his ears as he saw an older Faunus male's wolf ears twitch towards the call of his name. He took in the man's appearance; he wasn't dressed in normal doctor attire, he surmised. He was clad in only what he could describe as surgeon garb. A light blue surgical gown with a matching face mask and hair net covered the man. He jogged over before removing his mask, his face clearly showing his displeasure in having to relay something to Jaune.

"Mister Arc?" The doctor questioned.

Jaune nodded intently, his face stark with worry. The man's voice was familiar, the one he spoke with earlier.

"I'm afraid to have to be the bearer of bad news," The doctor sighed, "Earlier today, we received three patients. From what we are aware, they were involved in an automobile accident. Shortly after arriving, two succumbed to their injuries; a blonde woman and…a toddler."

That was it, that's all it took. Jaune's vision began to swim, becoming a blur. A prickling sensation crept up the back of his neck before pushing around his head. His ears prickled and felt as if they were closing in on themselves. He could see the doctor speak to him, his brow furrowing before he realized what was happening. Jaune felt his legs tremble before he was caught by the nurse he spoke to earlier and the doctor. He could feel himself being dragged towards a chair before being sat down.

Jaune's heartbeat quickened with each breath. His breathing deepened, he felt sick. His ears were ringing, he couldn't focus. Saphron and Adrian, gone. Little Adrian. He was two, fucking two. He remembered the day he was told about becoming an uncle. Terra and Saphron had discussed the pregnancy extensively; who would carry the child, how would childcare work between Saphron being a huntress and Terra's job in Argus. Obviously, they couldn't always rely on Jaune. Not that Jaune would mind, he could have cared less about the childcare, he was going to be an UNCLE! His dear, sweet, little nephew. Adrian…gone.

Saphron, oh gods Saphron. He felt the most alone he's ever been, Saph was always his rock. His older sister would always keep him standing. Especially after the incident near Shion village. She took him in, clothed him, feed him, raised him. Even at the expense of her relationship, not that Terra minded in the slightest. When she heard about what happened, Terra had begun shifting boxes and old gear from their 'storage' room and converted it into Jaune's room. An effort that wasn't gone underappreciated from both the Arcs.

It was the first night in Argus, Jaune could remember it clearly. Terra wanted to make him feel welcome but not overwhelm the poor boy. She didn't need Saphron to tell her that, mind you. Terra had gone to get takeout and some type of ice cream that Argus specialized in. He couldn't remember the name, but it was sweet and salty. He laughed for the first time that night since the incident. He'd been stuck in Shion village waiting for Saphron to come for him. For a while, he was worried she wouldn't. They made him feel loved, it was a second chance at family. Terra…

Terra!

Jaune's hearing returned after a few moments before he reached out to grab the doctor.

"Where's Terra?" Jaune pleaded.

######

Jaune pulled the hospital chair closer to Terra's bed. She had been out of surgery for something Jaune could not remember. All. He could recall was the grim look on the doctor's face. Kobalt Rhodes, that was his name. Doctor Rhodes had a grim look on his face, stating that her injuries were severe. Internal bleeding, broken bones, collapsed lung, some type of head trauma.

Yet, when he stared at her he could only picture her waking up and cracking a joke about internal bleeding being good because that's where the blood is supposed to be. Stupid, funny cop show. He laughed lightly, wiping the tears from his eyes. That dumb show was like a religion to the three, they watched every new episode when it came out. Regardless of what was happening, they always made time.

'Gods, how do I tell her?' Jaune questioned.

"I'm so sorry, if I had gone to Haven you wouldn't be here like this. Adrian and Saph would still be here," Jaune cried, "I'm so sorry."

Jaune lightly grasped her right hand, careful not to injure her further. He glanced up to her face, his eyes still spilling tears. She looked odd without her glasses, he concluded. Her features had been blemished by swelling and bruises, her breathing ragged from the collapsed lung. He lightly stroked his thumb across her fingers back and forth, attempting to bring some comfort to the unconscious woman. He knew the comfort wouldn't last, when she woke up, she'd have to be told. It would kill her. It was his fault.

All of it was his fault, and this was his punishment.

Jaune felt his eyes growing heavy, the exhaustion from the day catching up to him. He was brought out of his tired spell by the ring of his scroll. Reluctantly, he pulled it out and opened it. Pyrrha was calling. His thumb hovered over the accept button…but he couldn't. Not now, he wasn't ready. He wasn't sure when he would be to be completely honest, but they would find out one way or another. But they wouldn't find out now.

Jaune let the call ring through before it went to voicemail. Voicemail…Saph had tried to call him, it went to voicemail. He checked for any messages, only two. Pyrrha and Saphron. Shit, if he had just taken a shower later maybe he would've been able to talk to her.

He didn't bother listening to the message, he didn't have the energy. Listening to Saph would probably kill him. He noticed the missed messages from his friends; Weiss asking when he was coming back to finish the presentation, Ruby asking on behalf of Weiss…and wondering when they were going to the local arcade, Yang asking if he wanted to train with her and Nora. All messages he ignored, swiping the notifications away so they didn't buzz his scroll in the night. Moving towards Pyrrha's contact, he pushed through a quick message saying he wasn't coming back tonight and not to worry.

'If I told her, she'd come down here to sit with me. Her and everyone else.' Jaune concluded.

He couldn't deal with them, not now and probably not anytime soon. They'd keep pushing for answers soon, he was sure. But it wasn't the time. Speaking of time, Jaune glanced towards the clock on his scroll; 10:48PM. Huh, it's been that long? That didn't matter, he had lots to do tomorrow. Going back to Beacon wasn't one of them.

The morgue was the first stop as much as he dreaded. He had to verify, but there was no doubt it was them. There was no hope, no chance. How many other blonde women and toddlers could Terra of been in the car with? Only two; Saphron and Adrian.

He shut off the scroll to avoid the inevitable call from Pyrrha and possibly from Ruby. Placing it down on the side table, Jaune stood before placing a kiss on Terra's forehead. He quietly ushered another apology before sitting back down to remove his armour and sword. Placing the gear down to the floor silently, Jaune moved back to the chair and grasped her hand once again. Terra needed him, now more than ever. But more importantly, Jaune needed Terra.

He rested his head against the soft mattress against her hand before slowly drifting to sleep. A sleep that wouldn't come without bad dreams.