"Detective Arc, I have the statement you requested."

Jaune looked up from his cup of coffee, offering his partner a tired look. He tried to smile to show his appreciation.

"Thank you, Detective Cuttress." Jaune took the paper from her delicate hands, something abnormal for a woman as bold as her, and skimmed over it. "Yes, this is the one. Prosecutor Daughterly will make good use of this in court tomorrow."

"A relief," she agreed. She sat down on his desk, her creamy legs presented like trophies thanks to the length of her skirt. She never was one for proper attire at the precinct. Granted, it was after hours. "This case has been dragged out long enough already. 'Lack of sufficient evidence', my ass. The culprit is as transparent as glass... Don't you think?"

Cuttress shot him a teasing look. Jaune cursed internally. He was looking, wasn't he? He could only thank the gods his daughter wasn't here to start poking fun at him as well. He didn't need her to insist he needed to find her a new mother again, even if done as a jest.

"It'd be rash of me. You mustn't forget how dangerous it is to be so narrow-minded, detective."

"Oh, don't give me that, Jauney..." She pretended to swoon, looking admonished. "You've been here only a bit longer than I have. Must you keep reigning over what little superiority you have over me?"

"If I didn't, we wouldn't get any work done."

"For what reason to be exact?"

Jaune bit his tongue as she grinned devilishly. Curse her, curse his wording, curse the fact he was out of coffee. It was too early for her to be like this already.

"Anyway," he dismissed. "I should have everything settled by tonight. You're free to go home."

"You sure you don't want any company? Some help might make things go faster."

"Knowing you, you'd only slow me down."

"It's not my fault you can't help yourself."

He looked again, didn't he?

Cuttress swept her legs across his desk and sauntered off. Hopefully to fetch them some more coffee. Jaune couldn't help but watch the way she swayed her hips. He sighed to himself, disappointed in his unprofessionalism. Perhaps his daughter was right; he really needed some romance in his life.

Conceding to his daughter's point of all people made him wince. Speaking of which, tomorrow was her birthday. To think she was growing up this fast. She was approaching the age he was when he had her. He bitterly smiled, recalling how her mother looked when she held their daughter for the first time.

Sadly, the newfound feeling of motherhood wasn't enough to convince her to be a part of their daughter's life.

His scroll buzzed. Probably Daughterly and her usual demand for an update. The poor woman really needed to take a break.

Jaune leaned back in his chair and held his scroll up, his eyes narrowing at the unknown number. Something sparked within him as his heart clenched up.

Tell Vanessa I wished her a happy birthday.

She couldn't just tell her that herself? Jaune sighed to himself. To be fair, it'd be really awkward for Vanessa's mother to just drop by or call all of a sudden to say one thing, making it the only words she'd utter to her daughter over the last few years. It'd be best to spare the two the awkwardness.

"Bad news?" Cuttress guessed. She returned with two steaming mugs. His nose picked up the beloved scent.

"Yes," he said. He reached for the mug she offered and nodded his thanks. "It's Vanessa's birthday tomorrow."

"Well, that's good isn't it?" Her face twisted a bit. "Unless you're entering papa mode and about to go on about how she's reaching the age for boys to come in and all. Wait, you didn't forget to buy her a gift, did you?"

"Of course I got her something. And hey, it's normal for a father to be concerned about the boys involved with his daughter's life." He took a long sip of the black nectar. "It's just that... her mother sent her regards."

Cuttress sat down, rubbing the rim of her mug with both thumbs as it rested in her lap.

"I still don't know how to feel about this," he went on. "Vanessa grew up without her mother, and she's fine the way she is now, but I don't know how she truly feels about the whole situation. It's not something I think she likes talking about."

"Has she ever tried asking you about this?"

"No, she just... always knew she didn't really have a mother. It's like she's just... okay with it. And yet I can't help but believe that deep down, she's a bit sad."

"But isn't aware of the weight of the situation quite yet... I think Vanessa is at the point where she's emotionally mature enough to handle this, Jaune."

"What if I'm not though?"

"Oh, Jaune..." she cooed. "Is the big bad detective seriously growing soft?" She shifted closer to him and leaned in a bit.

"I could really go without the teasing, if you have the ability to restrain yourself."

"Let me tell you something," she whispered. Jaune flinched when he felt her warm breath, tainted by the scent of coffee. "I happened to be adopted myself, you know. My mother had ovarian cancer, so she couldn't have kids of her own. She's alive and well though," she added. Jaune relaxed in his chair a bit more. "My parents decided to adopt a child from Mistral and raised her as their own. For the longest time, this dear little girl knew of her heritage, the fact she wasn't related by blood. But hey, I still held that fact close to my heart and pressed on."

"And how do you feel now...?"

"Well, quite happy. I stay in touch with my folks here, and I even found a lot of closure when I met my biological mother for the first time. Her and my biological father were young and in love, but it's considered taboo over in Mistral. And it's not taken lightly. In order to have an upbringing where I wouldn't be shunned as a bastard child, I was put up for adoption for a better life here in Vale. And hey, I came out okay." She downed the last of her coffee. "In the end, I was content with my parents. They raised me into the woman I am now. So hey." She rested her hand on his shoulder. "Don't overthink this, okay? Vanessa loves you and that won't change. Whether or not she wants to meet her mother will be unearthed sometime. For now though, relax a little and get ready for her b-day. 'Kay?"

Jaune watched as Cuttress gazed into his eyes. The urge to cry suddenly appeared.


Yes, I figured a time skip would suit this well. I'm personally not a huge fan, but I wanted to get into the dynamics of Jaune's relationships starting with this chapter. I figured his earlier years in flashbacks would be more effective for certain plot points I have planned. So keep an eye out.

It's great to be back. Thanks for your time.

-Mute