Probably gonna hard focus this story for a few more chapters. Having too much fun. So, for all those who enjoy, enjoy more.

Jaune kept his hand in his lap. He was in a dull room with a dimly lit lamp hanging over his head. He was sitting in a steel folded chair and he wouldn't lie that it was better than the shipping container. They were both equally uncomfortable.

The door opened before him and the Headmaster stepped in, setting a steaming mug in front of Jaune before taking a seat opposite of the young man. He sipped from his own mug, sighing in content before raising a brow at the blonde.

"You are free to drink, if you wish."

"I am not one for coffee, sir," Jaune answered, bowing his head in apology.

"No need to lower your head, my boy. It was simply a gesture of good tithing," the Headmaster replied with a smile. "Now, I've heard the incident from the police department as well as Team RWBY. Especially a certain faunus girl."

Jaune felt a heat creep up his neck. "I have no-"

Ozpin held up one hand to silence him. "Whatever the relationship between you and Miss Belladonna, it is none of my business. What is, however, is why you were in that shipping container, where you came from, and why you showed up at the docks with such timing."

The boy's hand curled in his lap. "It is quite complicated, sir."

"Then make it simple. From your mannerisms and way of combat, I would assume you are a soldier," Ozpin stated, staring over the rim of his mug. "Would I be right in that assumption?"

Jaune nodded.

"Very good. The fact that you have your aura unlocked, where in a Schnee Dust container, and from the emblem on those rags you call pants, I can also assume you are from Atlas. Is that also correct?"

Another nod.

"Then who is it that you're running from that you are in Vale, smuggled in a cargo hold, rather than your station?"

There was a brief silence as the two men stared at one another. "...The General, sir..."

Ozpin blinked once. Twice. "I'm sorry, come..."

"The General made an attempt on my life," Jaune answered again, this time without pause. "I had been sent on a mission to finally eliminate Adam Taurus after a trap had been laid to lure him in. During the fight I became compromised and Taurus made sure to take advantage of it. I...lost my arm and was airlifted back to Atlas. The General was not happy when I told him I recognized Taurus beyond military profile. He put his gun to my head and had almost ended my life."

Ozpin always considered himself ready for any situation. His fingers were steepled, hiding his expression, his eyes left to peer over his glasses. One, such as himself, should have expected this kind of scenario. But it was a few moments before he sighed, closed his eyes, and shook his head slowly.

"And what followed? You are standing before me, very much alive."

"I escaped. I fought my way out and stowed on one of the Schnee's Bullheads. I was then transported to Haven and transferred to a cargo carrier and shipped to Vale."

"I see..." The Headmaster mumbled. He then sat straight and opened his eyes back at the young man before him. "I believe you. And not just because of your...situation." He gestured towards the soldier's missing arm. "There have been- are -a lot of elements within play that have made this situation very complicated, even since being that way for some time. Now I learn that a new one, yourself, is involved and it only seems to make things more difficult for myself and others.

"I apologize, sir."

Ozpin held up a hand once more. "Do not apologize. Never apologize for something that was out of your control. You believed in James, followed his every order, and trusted that what he did was for the best of you and others, correct?" Jaune nodded. "Then you shall not blame yourself."

"I…" Jaune held his tongue as an apology almost slipped. "What do I do now? I was born a soldier. Raised to be a soldier."

"Why not a Huntsman?"

The young man raised his head to see a soft smile on the older man's face. "Sir?"

"You are a soldier. Were a soldier. The wreckage at the docks is proof that you have very capable skills. If you were to agree, we can have you use those skills for good. To protect those who can not protect themselves. However, at the end of the day, the choice is yours."

"I accept." There had only been a second of silence.

Ozpin was still mid sip of his drink and he paused and set the mug back down. "So quickly?"

The blonde nodded. "Yes sir. I am-... I was a soldier. It is all I know and, if I can truly help people like I was made to believe, then I won't hesitate."

Ozpin couldn't help the smile that stretched across his face. He reminded him of very few men who had stood before him. "Very well said, Mister... Ah, I don't believe I got your last name."

There was a brief silence. "I don't know."

"Pardon?"

"My last name. I don't know. All I know is that my first name was Jaune. Taurus called me that which is what made me recognize him."

Ozpin leaned forward. "Are you saying that you have no recollection of your life before the military?"

Jaune shook his head. "Not a thing. I was a soldier. Always had been since as far back as I can remember. It wasn't until my encounter with Taurus that a...a fog of some kind filled my mind. Now, I see these flashes of something else. And any time I try to dig deeper-."

There was a massive throb and Jaune was holding his head in his hands as he fell onto the desk. Ozpin, genuinely surprised, felt his hand under the table clench into a fist.

'What have you done, James?'

"Please, do not stress yourself anymore tonight, Jaune." The older man stood and moved around to the boy's side, placing a hand on his shoulder. He looked up with a strained look and Ozpin could only feel sympathy for him. "How about we call it for tonight and allow you your first night of actual rest?"

The former soldier, for the first time, noticed just how tired he really was. The bags under his eyes and the heaviness of his eyelids. Knocking himself unconscious to avoid his motion sickness wasn't much of actual rest. So now, with the idea that he could finally sleep, all the weight of his escape had finally caught up to him and he yawned. It was a second later that he realized and he chomped down on it and stood, keeping his back straight and not letting an iota of exhaustion show.

Then he looked to Ozpin as the man tried to guide him to where he would sleep. He was different from The General. Even from their short exchange he could tell. The man was understanding. Kinder. Open in his thoughts.

Better.

He buried the thought.

The former soldier would stay strong as they moved. At least until he was in a bed and finally able to rest.

"Yes sir."

-Flash-

White walls and the acrid scent of disinfectant. They seemed so familiar but different at the same time. The last time his eyes opened in a medical ward, he had been receiving medical treatment for his arm, or what was left of it. That fact was still something he was coming to terms with. In his escape from Atlas, his instincts had responded to the lack of the appendage and he had been able to fight despite the handicap. But, now, he could finally think about it and process that his arm was gone.

Then there was the veil.

Adam had that look on his face and when he called him Jaune. For once, he had felt like he could see something. Like his thoughts were actually his own, even if he couldn't go too deep into them without the splitting headache.

Then The General had confronted him. The metaphorical fog was still there, still clouding his mind, clouding his thoughts. He could hear The General speak but it was muffled as he tried to find a way out of that fog. He tried to tell The General but he couldn't remember what he said. And that was all before the barrel of a gun was pressed against his forehead. It was cold and hard.

Jaune didn't feel that way now. In fact, he felt something very warm and heavy on his lap. As he slowly sat himself up, he felt the results of an actual good night's rest. He felt energetic, his eyes weren't heavy, and he didn't feel too sluggish when he moved. It was honestly better than his usual routine back in Atlas.

Then he felt the weight on his lap move. He looked down to see that it was the faunus girl from the docks. She had been in a chair by his bedside and had been resting her head on his lap. However, now she was up, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand and she let out a yawn. That foreign feeling in his chest had returned once more and he couldn't tear his eyes away from her as she arched her back and stretched. He swallowed hard. And, once her eyes finally landed on him, the whole world seemed to have stopped.

Her eyes lit up. "You're awake!"

"I am," he replied.

His eyes drifted down and landed on her lips. His thoughts went back to when she kissed him the night prior and his eyes shot back up. He focused on her eyes, those big orbs of gold and how they had glowed last night. He moved his gaze up further. Then, he noticed the fabric on top of her head.

"You're wearing a bow..." He muttered aloud.

Her eyes widened and her hands shot up and covered the accessory.

"Y-Yeah..."

"Why?"

Her gaze fell to the floor. "...A lot happened."

"I see..."

There was a silence between them. He stared at her, still wondering about the warmth in his chest and why he felt himself lowering his guard with her. It was odd how he felt at ease around her. And it also brought forth the recent memory of how he was upset when she was hurt back at the docks.

Curiouser and curiouser. He wanted to ask her and find out the answer but the thought died before it could reach his lips. Almost as if some invisible force was holding him back from learning the answers he seeked. It was right in front of him and yet, for some reason, he couldn't.

"Jaune?" She spoke up.

He didn't respond. She placed a hand over his and he broke from his thoughts with a slight jolt. She noticed this and frowned.

"What happened to you? Where have you been?"

What could he really tell her? He didn't know how he got where he had or how long ago it was that they had separated. Adam had given no indication and he didn't think she'd accept a simple "I don't know".

"I was in Atlas." It was the best response he could give for now. Not only because he didn't know but also so that he couldn't reveal much before Ozpin gave him clearance to share more of his situation.

The blonde man had not expected for her eyes to widen. He also hadn't expected for her to move even closer to him and take his face into her hands.

"Atlas!?"

His heart rate sped up and the burning in his chest was now coming up to his cheeks. Damn him and his lack of control for his bodily reactions. "Y-Yeah." And there was that damn stutter again. May it burn and never return.

"I-..." Then she looked up and, if her eyes weren't wide enough, the shock on her face increased tenfold and her jaw dropped.

The blonde didn't understand. What was wrong with the top of his head? He didn't feel anything wrong. Nor was there no pain if he had been bashed or cut. Which he had not.

"...Your ears..." She finally said.

Now this confused him. He had ears but they weren't on the top of his head.

"They're fine," he replied, lifting his hand to rub against his right ear lobe. He did the same to the left. Definitely fine.

"Not those." She had said hushed. The cat girl fell back into her chair, slumped, with the most pained look in her eyes. Tears were starting to form at the corners and, for once, a sinking feeling formed in the bottom of the former soldier's gut.

Jaune had never felt this feeling before. Not when he lost his arm. Not when he fought the unit in the elevator. Never during any of his missions. Not even when he faced certain death. But seeing that look in her eyes, that look of hurt. The hole in him, that he didn't even know he had, felt big.

"I should have been there..." He heard her whisper despite her head hanging low. "I had a bad feeling and I knew."

Jaune wanted to ask what she meant. To find out how he ended up in Atlas. She knew and she was in front of him. But that same invisible force held him back. In fact, instead of wanting to know the answer, the foreign feeling of wanting to comfort her took paramount. He didn't want to see her like this. Upset and berating herself. It never befit the soldiers he worked with and it damn sure did not befit her.

But how could he break it?

The kiss flashed across his mind once more and the burning feeling returned to his face. He grumbled to himself, hoping this would eventually lead to figuring out who he was.

Jaune moved forward and placed his hand against her cheek. Her own murmuring had stopped and her eyes focused back on him. He noticed her eyes dilated and her muscles relaxed under his touch. Her cheeks had also turned pink and she grabbed his hand with both of hers, keeping his pressed against her cheek.

"I missed you so much. A lot happened and... I should have been there."

"I'm sorry," he instinctively said. He was surprised that his mouth had moved on it's own but also at the fact that it was familiar to him. And that he had meant it. "But I'm here now."

He felt her grip tighten, desperate. She probably thought he would disappear if she let go and the feeling that he was wanted that bad actually felt nice. It was different for him being NEEDED for his skill and, instead, was simply wanted for his company. He truly meant a lot to her.

"I know," she said softly. Then their eyes met and his heart rate had somehow grown even faster. This time, he decided not to look away, despite knowing the inevitable once her eyes lidded.

She leaned in and kissed him just as she had last night. It was soft and lasting. Her eyes were shut and he swore he heard the quietest of purrs. After all, focusing on her helped distract him from his own heated face and chills up the spine. He wouldn't lie and say that it felt wrong as it seemed natural to him. As if this wasn't the first or second time they had actually done this.

He still found it hard to remember. However, it was becoming more obvious to him that his heart remembered her. That his body remembered her and responded in kind. She had meant something to him and he had meant something to her. Something happened to separate them against their wishes. If only he could remember what. If only he could find Adam.

"My, oh my, they are at it again," a familiar voice interrupted. Once again, the two pulled back and turned to face the Headmaster of the school. Ozpin stood in the doorway, smirking with the usual cup of coffee in his hand.

"Headmaster!?" "Sir!"

"No need to be embarrassed. I'll make this brief so you two can officially reunite," he teased with a chuckle. "Now, come with me, you two."

The young woman perked up. "Me too?"

"Of course. This meeting is for Jaune but, witnessing your relationship twice, I'm sure you'll be happy to come along as well."

The duo shared a look and blushed.

"R-Right..."

-Flash-

It wasn't more than ten minutes that the former soldier found himself in the tower and in the Headmaster's office. Blake was right beside him and Ozpin had moved behind the desk, finally taking a seat. There was a brief silence only cut off by the momentary sound of coffee being sipped and a sigh of content from the gray haired man.

"Sir?"

He held up a finger. "Hold on... And..."

Ding!

The sound of the elevator caught the trio's attention. Ozpin had a proud smirk as Jaune and Blake turned around to see who else was coming.

The doors opened to reveal the blonde woman who had been with Ozpin last night. Glynda was her name, if Jaune remembered correctly.

The older woman stepped in and, just behind her, three students joined her in the office. The first was a short, orange haired girl with aqua eyes. Next to her was a taller, black haired boy with pink eyes. And, the last member, a red haired and green eyed girl.

"Ah, Glynda. Thank you for bringing them," Ozpin said gratefully, playing off the fact he knew they had arrived before the elevator ring.

The Deputy Headmistress nodded. "It was no problem, Headmaster."

"Jaune." Ozpin turned to him before gesturing his hand to the three students. "These are Nora Valkyrie, Lie Ren, and Pyrrha Nikos. A three man Huntsman team."

Jaune lifted a lone brow as he looked at the trio before back at the Headmaster. "Is that so? I know little of Huntsman teams. But, from the brief meeting with Blake's team, you compose them of four, correct?"

The three new arrivals all visually slumped. Their eyes fell to the floor and a downcast expression painted their faces. None more than the redheaded girls. She looked guilty and more upset than the other two. Jaune could also see Blake with a sympathetic look on her face.

"That is correct. However, why there are three is not my story to tell," Ozpin replied. "For now, we shall not focus on the past, only the future. And, as of now, I'd like to introduce you to your temporary team."

All of the young adults in the room blinked.

"Temporary?" Jaune repeated.

"That is correct."

Jaune looked to the three, who were all looking back at him. They seemed equally as surprised about the news and didn't give any negative or positive responses.

"Are you sure about this, Ozpin?"

The Headmaster nodded his head. "Yes. I'm sure once all of you sit down and talk that you'll find common ground in no time. And these three are also the sister team of Miss Belladonna's team so you two wouldn't be that far apart."

The duo blushed once more. Then Jaune felt his hand grabbed by two very strong, small hands.

"Hi! I'm Nora! Nora Valkyrie!" Her grip was like iron and stronger than most of the soldiers back in Atlas. "I hope we can get along!" She was also very bubbly, hyperactive, and cheery. A complete one-eighty from just a moment ago.

The boy then put a hand on her shoulder and she was subdued a mere second later. Once she was separated, he then offered his own and Jaune shook it as well. "Lie Ren." Short and to the point. He wasn't much of a talker, he could respect that.

Then, finally, the redheaded girl stepped forward. She seemed more reserved and closed off but she looked him in the eye and held out her hand. He took it and felt a spark between them. She must have felt it too as her eyes widened and they looked at one another. There was a long pause as they stood there before the girl pulled her hand back into her huddled form and she looked away from him, pink dusting her cheeks.

"P-Pyrrha Nikos..." She introduced.

"Ah, right... Jaune," he replied.

"Renny, Jaune-Jaune also didn't react to Pyrrha's name! Just like us!" Nora said excitedly from over his shoulder. No one even noticed the fact she was now piggybacking the boy.

""Jaune-Jaune"?" He repeated with knitted brows. "And is she someone I should know?"

Pyrrha looked back at him. "Wait, you don't know who I am?"

He shook his head. "I am unfamiliar."

She just stared at Jaune in shock as he just kept looking at her with a raised eyebrow. He noticed Nora switch from Ren's back to his and wrap her arms over his shoulders. "She acted that way when we didn't know who she was either. Apparently she's this huge celebrity from Mistral. Won some fighting tournaments and was top of her class at her old school."

Jaune hummed. "Is that right? I never had the opportunity to watch television. I apologize for not recognizing you-."

"No!" Pyrrha shouted, making nearly everyone jump back. It was a surprise to hear her so aggressive after seeing her so quiet. She cleared her throat. "I'd much rather you know me as I am and not as what TV has portrayed me."

Jaune nodded. "Very well."

"Well, it's good to see you are all getting along so far." Ozpin said as he reached for the coffee maker. Glynda slapped his hand and he pouted before turning back to the six students. "Now, are there any questions pertaining to the interim membership of Jaune?"

Ren raised his hand and the Headmaster nodded. "With Jaune as an "interim teammate" what all does that entail?"

"Well, the rest of the break and the first couple weeks of the next semester would be a trial period, as I've previously stated. For now, you can train, eat, and sleep together, to get a feel for one another. Once classes start, he will attend them with you and participate in team events. If things go well, and you all get along, he will become a permanent member and we'll figure out a new team name for you."

The boy nodded, happy with the answer. Jaune then held his hand up and Ozpin nodded.

"And if things do not work out?"

"You will work directly under me. I do hope it doesn't come to that and that the four of you can get along."

The former soldier nodded. He then turned to the three and bowed his head. "If any of you find me unsatisfactory, I will accept your decision without question. I wish we can get along but I do not wish to make you uncomfortable."

"Well, I have no problem with it!" Nora cheered, still clinging to his back. "You don't seem like a bad guy. Besides, we heard about the docks! You sound like a total badass!"

Ren sighed but smiled nonetheless. "Well, Nora has made her point clear. I'm not against it either."

Pyrrha had returned to her reserved form but still smiled. "Neither am I."

Blake had also moved to put a hand on his shoulder. "There's no way I'm losing you again."

"Ohhh~, spicy..." Nora teased. "I also heard about you two. So what's the scoop?"

"Nora, please," Ren lightly chastised.

"If no one opposes, everything is sorted." Ozpin said as he stood from his desk. "Welcome to Beacon, Jaune."

"Oh yeah! What's your last name Jaune-Jaune?" Nora asked, squishing their cheeks together.

The blonde was undisturbed by the contact. He was caught off, considering his recent contact with Blake, but pushed it aside for answering the girl's question.

"I don't remember."

"What do you mean, Jaune?" Blake spoke softly. He looked at Ozpin and the professor nodded.

"...I don't remember a lot. Nothing before Atlas. Any time I try to remember my head hurts and I can't think straight. Other times it's like a fog." He heard a shocked gasp and knew it was the cat girl by his side. "I'm sorry I couldn't say that till now."

There was another brief silence.

"In light of that news, Miss Belladonna, you knew him prior to his time in Atlas. Is that correct?" Ozpin asked, resting his hands on his desk. She nodded. "Could you tell us anything? It might help him."

She nodded again. "Yes. He's an Arc. Jaune Arc."

Ozpin paused and the glasses slid down his nose to reveal his widened eyes. "You can't mean..."

"Yes."

"Oh dear..."

"What? What is it?" Jaune looked to Blake and then to Ozpin. The former still looked hurt by his reveal. The latter looked surprised. He even saw Glynda looking shocked.

"Jaune, your family is infamous for their terrorism against Atlas."

He blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

"...What..?"

So, Jaune's family is a terrorist family who went after Atlas. Dun-dun-dun! Are they still alive? Possibly executed? Find out next time!

Blake and Jaune also got to have another little moment and his heart and body seem to remember her, just not his mind. How will this unfold?

Hope you enjoyed and, if I don't update in time, Merry Christmas!