Hoo, boy. Today's Friday, which means more Criminally Good.

Enjoy.

[Chapter 22]

I was right to brace for impact.

Ruby didn't seem to care that I hadn't seen or spoken to her in a few months' time as she charged headfirst into me, making me skid back in the grass a few inches as I stopped her forward momentum with a grunt.

I chuckled, reaching down and ruffling her hair a bit. "Well, good to see you too, Little Red."

Ruby, predictably, dodged out of my grasp as I ruffled her hair, pouting at me rather adorably as a slight pink adorned her cheeks.

"I'm just glad you're okay." She mumbled out quietly, almost like she didn't want me to hear her.

I rocked back on my heels, hand resting comfortably on the hilt of Crocea Mors. "Of course I'm okay. I'm me, after all."

"And that's why I was worried, you goof." She paused a moment, looking me over. It had been a while since she last saw me, and in that time I'd gotten a fair wardrobe change, not to mention shorter hair and a few new weapons to boot.

"You, uh, you look good, Jaune." She commented a little awkwardly. "T-that's not to say you didn't before, but you look better? No, I don't mean – "

I chuckled and waved a dismissive hand at her awkward rambling. "Thanks, Ruby. I figured it was time for an outfit change after all was said and done, y'know?"

She nodded meekly as her gaze wandered over my form. Her eyes lingered on the grenades, and then the repainted Crocea Mors, and lastly the hip flask that was strapped opposite Crocea Mors. "Definitely. You're also upgrading as you go." She took a step closer towards me, reaching out and eyeing the purple Gravity Dust grenade that was hanging off the bandolier I wore. "Dust Grenades. I don't know anyone who uses them because they're so unpredictable and expensive."

I shrugged. "Just bought 'em this morning, but they seemed like a good idea at the time."

She nodded. "Not bad thinking – just have to hope they don't backfire on you." Her gaze trailed down to the hip flask then. She didn't make any comment, though I had a good feeling she was judging the fact that I was drinking enough to carry around a flask. Just like a particular uncle she has.

I hummed. "Here's hoping."

Ruby eyed Crocea Mors on my hip as well, frowning slightly. "I see you repainted Crocea Mors." The slight sadness in her voice cutting through me like a hot knife through butter.

"Er, yeah. It felt kind of out of place being white and yellow against gray and blue." Granted, that wasn't the primary reason it was painted, but the excuse held water.

She just nodded, taking a step back. "So, what do you wanna do?"

I let out a yawn, stretching my arms up over my head. "Honestly? Go back to bed for another two days. Other than that? I don't care, really. I'll let you decide."

"Of course you'd want to go back to sleep, Mister waking up at three in the afternoon." She said, sticking her tongue out at me.

I rolled my eyes. "First, you can't prove anything. Second, I only just got back into town last night at four in the morning. Sleeping in is justified."

She grinned slightly. "So, you admit you did sleep in until three?"

I pursed my lips, shaking my head. "I admit nothing."

"Mhm, I totally believe you."

I sighed. This wasn't a fight I was going to win if experience with my sisters taught me anything. The best thing to do would be to admit defeat and move on. "Whatever you say, Little Red." I paused, glancing around. "So, are we gonna stand here all afternoon, or are we gonna go do something?"

Ruby nodded. "Oh, I know what we should do." I raised my brows at that. "Follow me."

"Alright, lead the way." I said, unhooking the flask from my hip and taking a quick shot. The constant warmth from the vodka was comforting as it settled in my stomach.

Whatever it was Ruby had planned involved dragging me out to an abandoned part of town. To be particular, this was pretty close to where I had fought and killed Baxton to get her back. We were safe now, of course. This was Junior's territory, even if it was mostly unused. I didn't have to worry about thugs jumping us for no reason.

"Uh, Ruby? Where are we going?" I asked, not all that sure why it was we were coming all the way out here.

She stopped and looked around, nodding when she thought we were alone. "Here."

"Alright, what are we doing here, exactly?" Granted, I had an idea, but I'd rather she confirm it than have me shooting in the dark.

"We need to talk. Nobody's going to overhear us here." She didn't sound like her normal self. She sounded more mature, more controlled than the shy but excitable girl I knew.

I sighed, rocking back on my heels. "Alright. Then talk." I knew where this was heading now, but I wasn't going to lead. Better to let her and answer what she wants to know rather than letting more slip than was needed.

"Why?" She asked simply, leaning back against a nearby crate, her gaze focused on me.

I tilted my head. "You're going to have to be more specific."

She pursed her lips as she thought. "Why do what you do? Work for Torchwick? Kill people? Steal Dust? I thought you wanted to be a Huntsman, not a criminal."

I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair, chewing on the inside of my cheek. "You're right. When I was young, I wanted to be a Huntsman – just like my old man. I wanted to protect people, to kill the Grimm and save villages. I wanted to be a hero." I paused a moment. "I begged my dad for years to train me, to teach me so that I could be a hero just like he was. Every time he just told me no. Told me I couldn't, or didn't have what it took. He taught one of my older sisters when she asked, but never me."

I took a shot from my flask. "That pissed me off more than anything. What did she have that I didn't? How was she better than me? I still don't know the answer to those questions." I paused, looking down at the flask in hand. "But I wasn't deterred. I started to train myself as best I could – ran laps, went to the gym, practiced with a sword when I could. Made do with what I had, and all that."

I shrugged, looking back up to see Ruby listening intently. "Once I turned seventeen, I applied for Beacon. Never told my parents or my sisters. I stole all the Lien we had saved for a rainy day – stole my dad's sword, and left." I patted Crocea Mors absentmindedly. "Showed up here in Vale, and things went to shit."

"Beacon denied me – the kid with no formal training, no Aura, no recommendations, no nothing." I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. "Makes sense now that I look at it, but at the time I was crushed. I told myself I couldn't go back home because I knew they'd just see me as a failure and a lost cause that I had been up until that point."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "So, I stayed here. Resolved to make myself something – to be better than the failure they had to look after because I was family. Thing is, I had no idea where to start. I had no skills, no connections, no nothing."

I blew out a slow sigh. "That was until I met with Roman. He took me in – gave me a chance where nobody else did. He unlocked my Aura, taught me how to fight and survive in the world, and didn't expect a damn thing in return. He showed me that I wasn't a lost cause, that I could fight, think on my feet and generally be something."

"He was there for me when nobody else was. Took a chance on a kid with no skills, and nothing to provide in exchange." I paused, looking back to Ruby. "You wanted to know why? That's why. I do what I do because this is the only thing that's ever given me an opportunity to prove myself."

Ruby frowned, looking down at her boots. "So, you do it because of loyalty?"

I hummed, drumming my fingers against the metal flask. "That's one way of looking at it."

She bit her lower lip. "That's why you kill and steal, too, then. Because of your loyalty to Torchwick?"

"Sort of." I paused for a minute, looking up at the overcast sky that held a looming threat of rain over our heads. "I do it because I'm good at it, too. Because out of everything I ever tried my hand at, this is what I excelled in."

"Do you… Enjoy it?" She asked timidly, still keeping her eyes trained on her boots.

"Depends what you're asking about. Stealing? I'd be fine without it, but I'm not terribly bothered, either." I paused for a moment. "You know, the first time I ever killed someone, it was on accident. I got so lost in the fight or flight of the moment, so caught up in the it's me or him mentality that I didn't notice I had broken his Aura until I bashed a hole in his skull."

I closed my eyes and shuddered slightly, shaking my head. "That image, the scene, his haunting look of acceptance; I don't know that it'll ever leave me." I glanced back over towards the small redhead. "In short? No, I don't like killing. It's a last resort – when there is just no other option."

"If you don't like it, you don't have to stay… You can change." Ruby pointed out, glancing up to meet my gaze.

I hummed quietly. "You're right, I could. I could turn my back on the only friends and family I have now – give up any trust, loyalty, and connections I've built just so I don't have to run from the law. So I could have another chance at becoming a hero."

"But I won't. I did that once when I ran away from my family to come here. I abandoned them to chase my dream – a dream that wasn't realistic or even remotely possible. I won't do it again. I won't turn my back on my friends and family for another shot at something I'm not cut out for."

Ruby frowned, rocking back and leaning more against the wall. "I guess I can see what you mean. You ran away from home to chase your dream, and got told you couldn't without ever being given the chance. Now, you've built something for yourself, and the idea of throwing it away to chase that dream you were denied before feels too risky."

I nodded, looking up at the sky again, feeling as a few rain drops began to splatter against my face. "I'm afraid. Afraid to lose what stability I found. I've got people who trust and rely on me now, just like I know I can do the same for them." I sighed, shaking my head. "I'm not about to turn my back on that."

"Still, though. What you're doing is wrong, Jaune. You and Torchwick are responsible for the Dust crisis in Vale. You're ruining people's lives." She pointed out.

"You're right. I'm responsible for the Dust crisis in Vale, at least in part. But you want to know something? It feels good. To know that I accomplished something. That I'm part of something bigger than myself – that I'm not a complete failure like I'd always been told."

Ruby hummed quietly as she too looked up at the sky with me. "You know, you didn't have to ignore me for months on end."

I chuckled awkwardly, running fingers through my hair. "At first, I thought it would be smart to just let you have some space – to figure things out for yourself, y'know? After that, well, I got busy. Training, preparing, working. A social life fell to the wayside."

The small redhead glanced over to me, catching my attention. "That heist down at the docks. You were there, weren't you?"

"We both know the answer to that question."

"I read online that there were several casualties – mostly the White Fang, but also two others. Huntsmen in training… Did you… Did you kill them?"

I shook my head. "I wasn't even in the docks proper when that happened. I never saw them, or the fight."

Ruby bit her lower lip and kept her gaze trained on me. "Then Torchwick killed them. Two innocent kids who had dreams just like yours – to become heroes and Huntsmen."

I shook my head again. "He didn't do it. At least, he didn't deal a finishing blow." I met her silver eyes – eyes that seemed to be digging down into my heart, trying to rip the answers straight out of me and make me feel awful all the while. "Believe it or not, there is honor among thieves. Roman's got morals – morals that won't let him kill innocents if he can avoid it." I laughed slightly, shaking my head. "He told me that by killing innocents, you become the monster people claim you are. You become no better than the Grimm."

Ruby narrowed her eyes, and the rain began to fall more regularly now, slowly drenching the both of us, though I wasn't bothered. The rain never did bother me all that much. "Have you ever thought that he might be a monster no better than the Grimm? He's Vale's most wanted, not to mention he's high up on Atlas' list, too. Takes more than being a master thief to get there I'd imagine."

I frowned, though shook my head. "No. I know him. He's no monster. He's eccentric, and damn good at what he does, but he's not a murderer. Not unless he has no other option."

Ruby shook her head. She reached back and pulled up her hood to try and help keep herself dry in the steady drizzle that was starting to soak us. "Just… Be careful, Jaune. You're my friend, regardless of your occupation. I don't want to see you get in over your head."

I smiled as best I could. "Don't worry about me, Little Red. I can handle myself."

She just rolled her eyes. "Can't stop me, so you'll just have to deal with it."

I took note of the fact that she was starting to huddle more under her cloak as she tried to keep the rain from completely soaking her. "C'mon, let's get you out of the rain before you freeze."

She glanced over to me. "How are you not cold?"

I shrugged. "This isn't cold – won't be until it drops another thirty degrees."

She shook her head, pushing off the wall and following behind me. "Whatever, weirdo."

I led her back into Vale proper with me, the rain quickly growing more and more oppressive as we wound our way through the streets. Neither of us spoke as we hurried through the streets. I wouldn't say it was awkward, but it wasn't like we were at ease, either.

I suspect a lot of that had to do with the fact that she still hadn't forgiven the fact that I'd been ignoring her for basically two months. That wouldn't be something that'd just vanish overnight, and I was fine with that. I screwed up – she had plenty reason to be upset with me.

She doesn't know about Atlas. Granted, that'd be breaking news, and all over the place. Is there a chance that they kept it quiet, so as not to cause a panic and uproar about them being stolen? I know we blew up the train, and the evidence with it, but I'm sure Atlas is rearing to get their stolen Paladins back in their hands.

After about ten minutes of walking, I led her into the shelter of a small café – the same café that we had met up with Yang and her team the first time around, funnily enough.

The shop was packed with pedestrians – Huntsmen and civilian alike who were taking shelter from the rain that was pelting the sidewalks outside. I nudged Ruby off to try and find us a table if she could while I got us both something warm to fend off the cold that had cut through our attire.

I pushed my way through the throng of people, finding Ruby sat at the window facing out to the street. It wasn't a table, but a long bar that spanned the whole front of the shop. What surprised me was that she had managed to snag a couple of seats together.

I slid into the seat next to her and set the hot chocolate down in front of her, which she happily took and went about devouring. I'm not sure she's even tasting it. Rather, I think she's just after the warmth.

I couldn't help but to chuckle to myself as I leaned forward on the small bar that we were seated at, resting my chin in the palm of one hand. I took a sip of the coffee that I had mixed with a couple shots of Vodka to give it that extra kick that it was missing.

"What's so funny?" She asked, glancing over to me.

I just snickered and shook my head. "Nothing, don't worry about it."

She pouted. "Come on, Jaune. Tell me."

I shook my head. "It's nothing, Little Red. I promise."

Her pout only grew in its intensity. "Please?"

I sighed. I wasn't willing to fight a cute war at the moment. "Fine, fine. Just found it amusing that you've already drunk your whole hot chocolate. Didn't even seem like you were tasting it."

She stuck her tongue out at me. "Yeah, well, not all of us can be portable space heaters immune to the cold."

I shook my head, a small smile on my lips. "It's great, really. You should try it sometime."

Her cheeks got a slight tinge of pink as she averted her gaze from me. "M-maybe I will."

I shrugged a shoulder, taking another sip of my coffee. "You said you were coming in to Vale to pick up parts for Crescent Rose, right? You already done that?"

She shook her head. "Nope. I came and found you first thing."

I nodded. "Right, so when the rain lets up, want to head over and get whatever you need?"

She smiled wide, nodding. "Sounds good."

I hummed, looking back out at the rain pelting the sidewalk and street constantly as my thoughts began to wander, dragging me off into my own world. I always thought victory was supposed to be sweet. Every time you read about it, or see it depicted somewhere, a valiant battle has been won, despite the odds.

That's just fiction. In the real world, everything has a price. Sometimes you get lucky – sometimes you win, and the world doesn't conspire to take something in return. In reality, if it was a victory worth winning, there was a price to be paid along with it. I shook my head.

Was our victory worth it? The Paladins – we just handed them off to the White Fang, and to get them we lost Jess. She died, not so that we could have them, but so Roman's boss could take them and outfit her little army with new toys. Again, I have to wonder, was it worth it? I took another long sip from my coffee, staring blankly out the window.

It doesn't feel like it. It feels like she died, and we have nothing to show for it. We paid the price and won fucking nothing.

Ruby nudged me in the side with her elbow, shaking me out of my world. "What's up?"

She tilted her head as she looked at me. "I should be the one asking you that."

I blinked, frowning slightly. "What do you mean?"

"Just a second ago? You looked so… defeated and sad, I guess. Something on your mind?"

I waved a dismissive hand, downing more of my coffee. "Don't sweat it, Little Red. Just thinking."

She frowned, keeping her gaze trained on me. "You can talk to me, you know that, right?"

I nodded. "I know." I glanced over towards her again. "But it's not a problem, really. Just an unpleasant memory."

She narrowed her eyes slightly, though nodded, accepting my answer. She likely knew she wasn't going to be able to force me to open up and talk if I didn't want to.

I glanced back outside, noting that the rain was starting to let up a little. "You ready to get going?"

"Sure, I'm ready whenever you are."

I pushed myself up from my seat, downing the last of my coffee, enjoying the burn that came from both the vodka and the hot liquid as it came to settle in my stomach. It won't be for nothing. I fucked up. I'm the reason she's dead now, but I won't make that a waste. We fought for those Paladins – we'll put them to use.

I forced my way through the throng of people with Ruby trailing behind me, gently holding the back of my vest for whatever reason. It didn't bother me any, so I wasn't going to worry about it.

Ruby and I fought our way out of the packed café that was almost assuredly well over capacity, and out onto the street. The rain had let up significantly and now was only lightly drizzling – nowhere near enough to get us drenched in any reasonable time.

I glanced back to the short redhead. "Take the lead, Little Red."

"Alright, just be sure to keep up." She said with a slight devilish smirk as she took off like a bolt of lightning down the street.

I shook my head and chased after her as best I could.

This kept up for a few blocks, getting to a point where she'd stop and wait for me to catch up before speeding off again. After about fifteen minutes of this, though, she led me into a small weapons shop.

Unlike the one that I had sold Crocea Mors to, this one appeared to deal more in parts and pieces than completed weapons. I noted that the sign out front advertised that they'd willingly make you a custom piece, so long as you bought the parts and paid for labor.

Ruby didn't take too much time scurrying around the shop, flitting through a few pieces and comparing one that looked identical to the other in each hand. What she was comparing, I couldn't say, nor would I even try to comprehend.

As Ruby was making towards the counter to purchase the collection of foreign parts to me, my scroll buzzed. I glanced down, noting a text from Qrow.

Qrow: You free tomorrow? My friend just buzzed in from out of town – figure you'd like to grab some drinks and have a chat.

Jaune: Sure. Name the time and place, and I'll be there.

Qrow: Eh, I'll be sure to let you know where I've stumbled into when I do.

I rolled my eyes and pocketed my scroll, rocking back on my heels as I eyed Ruby happily making her way towards me with a bag of assorted things.

"Find everything you need?"

She nodded. "Yeah, this place is great about that. Even though they're really small, they have just about everything I'd ever dream of needing. Both for my weapon, and yours. They're a great place to come if you need spare parts or a repair done on your weapon if you can't do it yourself."

"Hm. Noted, then." Ruby brushed past me and out into the street. It had since stopped raining, and the sun was just starting to peek out from behind a wall of overcast clouds that had been shadowing the city all day. "Anything else planned, or are we out of things to do?"

Ruby shook her head. "I've got nothing. Got to talk to you a bit, and got some spare parts for my baby, so I've got no plans."

I hummed, rocking back on my heels as I let my hand rest on the hilt of Crocea Mors. "Well, I'm not exactly brimming with ideas, either. The best idea I've got is to wander back home and collapse into bed so I can catch up on sleep."

Ruby rolled her eyes. "Fine, then. Go be a party pooper and sleep the night away, too." She said, sticking her tongue out at me.

I just smiled slightly and shook my head. "Yeah, well, some of us can actually appreciate good sleep."

"Psh, sleep? That's for weak willed people."

I snickered. "I'm sure you'll change your opinion when you get into Beacon."

She just shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not."

I let out a yawn to denote the fact, just a little bit more, that I was absolutely shot, still. Three days on a ship with only about four hours of sleep total really does a number on you, apparently. "Yeah, well, that said, I'm gonna head home."

Ruby nodded. "Alright. Thanks for actually, y'know, talking to me? I'd appreciate it if we didn't go two months without speaking a single word to one another in the future."

I grinned. "I'll make sure to check in with you in a month and a half then."

She just pouted. "Not funny!"

I chuckled. "Really? Because your reaction tells a different, albeit cute, story."

Her cheeks went a shade of pink and she burrowed down into her somewhat damp cloak. "Meanie…" She mumbled.

I shook my head. "Sorry, Little Red. You just made it too easy. Seriously, though. I won't ignore you like that again. And sorry for making you worry so much, too."

She smiled slightly, though her cheeks were still a tinge pink. "You doof… I'm gonna worry no matter what."

I walked over and rubbed her head a bit, which she tried to dodge out of, though ultimately failed. "Just try not to worry as much. I'll be fine. I can handle myself, after all."

She hummed and wrapped me in a hug, mumbling something quietly into my chest.

"What was that? I couldn't hear you." I said truthfully.

"Just be careful, Jaune." She said a little louder.

I hummed and returned the hug for a moment. "I will."

She released me after a long couple moments, stepping away. Her cheeks were still stained pink as she turned the other direction. "See you later, Jaune."

I hummed, watching as she wandered off into Vale on her own.

I turned and made back towards the apartment I called home. I hadn't been lying about being exhausted, still. Sleep was definitely in the cards.

That could've gone a lot worse, all things considered.

And bam, done.

In truth, this chapter was meant to be a bit longer, and originally I had Qrow's scene in here, too. That just didn't happen though. As it turns out, being awake for thirty six hours straight is bad for brains and especially brains that need to write and make sense. I just kinda realized when I was trying to put together Qrow's scene, I was struggling to make sense of it in my head, so there was little chance it made any sense at all. So, it's been pushed back and you get what I wrote when not sleep deprived.

But yeah, happy day after the 4th to my fellow Ahmuricans. Hope you all enjoyed the hangover and holiday of making stuff explode just as much as I'm enjoying the sleep deprivation from mine.

That said, on to the reviews!

Dino Guy - Well, here's some Ruby fluff and chat, and, surprisingly the fallout wasn't too bad for Jaune here. A lot of that is because of how long its been - she's upset at him, but she's also Ruby. The worst she'd do is be pouty at him, which is basically what we got. In the end, though? She's still just as sweet as ever on our bumbling blond buffoon.

Engineer - He's concerned, and rightly so. The question is, what's he gonna do about it? His relationships are just all over the place - Ruby, somehow, didn't cut him into shreds. Just tried to get him to think what he's doing is wrong. Then there's Qrow and, hoooooo boy. That's gonna be fun to see. Jaune isn't going to have a good time. At least with Neo, they're not ignoring each other anymore, right? The dream was a continuation of the last dream sequence I had which was back in like... Chapter 13, or something. The dream where he fought the Beowolf to protect his sisters and mom. His dad had other reasons, the question is what were they?

Imperial Germany - Huh, the impact wasn't that bad. Just made Jaune open up to her a bit. I'd imagine that in this scenario, Neo would always be the dominant / aggressor when it comes to anything in the relationship they have.

Nobody of Nowhere - SilentKnight Fluff. Top shelf stuff, imo. Glad you're enjoying, friend. And I'll just take those internet cookies and add them to my pile.

Azrael Saint - And again, surprising that she didn't just destroy him. Only talked. Interesting.

X3 - Poor Ren. He was there at the start and just kinda slipped into the background. He'll make an appearance relatively soon. That wouldn't be a bad idea if Jaune could think of it on his own, and manage to get a meeting with the council without getting mangled and then sent off to Winter for 'interrogation'. And you're 100% right, if Yang ever figured it out, Qrow and Jaune both wouldn't ever hear the end of it and that'd just be amusing.

Gasenator - =)

And that's all my reviews from last chapter, I think.

Well, guys. Thanks for tuning in and for almost getting this story up to 500 Favs and 700 follows. I say it a lot, but y'all are amazing and I love having you come read my stuff.

Next Chapter: Monday, June 8th

Till next time, this is Valres signing off.