While Yang was off seeking Jaune trying to apologize to him. Blake and Weiss had met in the lunchroom to sit and gather their thoughts.

"I'm still in shock, I just can't believe Jaune would..." Weiss stopped talking as she tried to just process it all... "Why in the hell would he do something like that?"

Blake had managed to try to keep a pretty detached distance from the whole situation "I... I don't know Weiss... It's sure as hell that this isn't like him.." Blake leaned back in her seat "None of this makes sense... I mean I do believe Ruby a hundred percent though, I just don't understand."

Weiss rubbed her legs as she saw in her wheelchair to keep the circulation going. "I do too..." Weiss stared at Blake "Can we do anything to help them out? I mean we got to look out of for our friends right?"

Blake leaned on the table and looked down at the table "I.. Don't know what we can do. We don't know really anything as to what happened..." Blake looks off to the side "I think the only two people that we can talk to about this, are Ruby and Jaune."

Weiss rapped her fingers on the table "And neither of them are talking..."

"Nope... I'll get with both of them on AIM tonight, see if we can't get Ruby to at least explain what the hell is going on." Blake said confidently

Weiss glanced over at Blake, she caught herself looking at her more lately, Oh she understood why, and that made the fact she was staring at her worse. "Okay, well I'll see if I can't catch Jaune for a quick chat at least, maybe i'll get lucky?" Weiss said as she pushed her chair back from the table "Catch you online tonight then?"

"We'll see Weiss" Blake smiled at Weiss before she stood up and took off. Weiss caught herself watching Blake leave with a sigh. As Blake left Weiss's field of vision she shook it off and started to wheel out to an area she hoped to see Jaune.


Weiss rolled through out the school looking for Jaune, she never found him. Instead she saw Yang on her way out looking dejected. Weiss waived over to Yang who just waved back but kept going. Feeling frustrated Weiss sat there for a few moments until he heard a familiar voice call out to her.

"Hey Weiss!" Called Weiss's older sister Winter.

"Oh Winter, I'm sorry I forgot what today is!" Weiss said embarrassed.

"Yeah, lets get you loaded up you got physical therapy. If we ever want you to have a chance in hell of ever getting out of that chair, we need you to work on rebuilding your legs." Winter said as she got behind Weiss's chair and started pushing Weiss to her work van.

Winter Schnee worked at the nearby hospital as a physical therapist. If you were ask Weiss, she'd say Winter was a damn fine one at that. Winter was a hard taskmaster as far as trying to help clients through the physical therapy process. But Weiss knew she got results almost every time. If anyone would get her walking again, it would be Winter

Winter loaded her up into the front seat of her van and loaded in her wheelchair into a storage bay in the back. Weiss waited patiently as her legs throbbed in pain from being moved into the passenger seat. Winter got into the driver seat after she finished locking her chair down into the back the van. "Okay kiddo, time to kick your ass on a strictly professional level."

"Yeah..." Weiss said as she rested her head back and closed her eyes.

"Just 'yeah' today?" Winter asked with a joking tone "Don't tell me I've already broken you. I'm not that good at torturing clients."

"No it's not that sorry... Just have a lot on my mind." Weiss said as she glanced over at her sister.

"What did you finally meet a boy?" Winter asked as she focused on driving.

"Well yeah. B-but it's not like that, i'm not particularly attracted to him." Weiss said. "It's about him though... I'm worried about him."

"Well go on sis, speak your mind, sometimes it helps to talk it out." Winter said calmly.

"He tried to take his own life." Weiss said.

"Wow..." Winter gasped out "Yeah I can see why that would worry you."

"Yeah, I mean I think Ruby knows what's up, and I'm sure his own mother knows what's up. I'm also sure that between them and the school he's getting help. But I can't sit on the sidelines and do nothing for them." Weiss said with a frustrated tone.

"If I was you, I wouldn't get involved unless he comes to you for help, do I know this boy?" Winter asked.

"What? He's my friend!" Weiss shouted "Fuck he's the only reason I have friends in school right now!"

Winter not taking her eyes off the road "Hey I get it, your former friends are a bunch of useless bitches that didn't deserve you." Winter's tone softened "But, that doesn't change the fact that you might not be what's needed to help this guy out right now okay?"

Weiss leaned back and huffed. "I need to be good for something..."

Winter rubbed Weiss's shoulder "You are, he might not want help right now, but he'll open up about it when he's ready, be there for him then. Besides knowing the school I'd bet he can't even take a piss without at least three adults making sure he's not trying to drown himself in it."

When the following silence got a bit to much for the pair to bear Winter then asked. "Okay but seriously, this guy doesn't do it for you at all?"

Weiss caught off guard fought back a chuckle. "Not even a little, sorry Winter but but you are still Mom's best hope for grand kids."

Winter sarcastically said "Fuck!" and laughed with Weiss for a minute.

As they got closed to the office Winter worked at, winter had one last question for her sister. "Okay so is there anyone you are interested in?"

Weiss rubbed the back of her neck. "Okay... but you have to keep this down okay? Don't tell anyone!"

Winter smiled as she parked "Your secret is safe with me. What's their name?"

Weiss scrunched up nervously as she said one word "Blake..."


Forty minutes into physical therapy, Weiss sat at the edge of a pool with her legs dangling in the water, Weiss wore a modest two piece swimsuit. more out of practicality than fashion as it was just easier for her to get into. As she waited for Winter to get out of the locker room she found herself looking at the spiderweb like network of scars on her legs. She also traced a finger around the scar over her left eye. "God my legs look hideous now..." Weiss pondered seeking out something to cover her legs up with before she saw Winter walking out of the locker room.

"Okay, I'm thinking were going to have you try kicking in the pool while you hold on to the edge for 15 minutes then were going to try something new today okay?" Winter said with a almost mean grin on her face.

As Winter got into pool with an "eep" due to how cold the water was. She helped Weiss into the pool as well and helped her stay above the water line as she got into her exercise position. it was a simple exercise. Just try and kick her legs. something that anyone should be able to do easily but was an absolute struggle for Weiss to perform. Winter stayed with her the entire fifteen minutes as her legs flailed painfully in the water, more than once Weiss threatened to stop early.

"Don't you fucking dare stop on me!" Winter would shout at her in a tone not unlike a drill instructor. That had the affect of keeping Weiss on task.

After the fifteen minutes were up Weiss was finally allowed to stop Winter with a shit eating grin said "Okay, Now I got something I want you to try for me okay?"

Weiss panted and groaned out as Winter guided her to another part of the pool between two ropes that were pulled taut. Weiss noted that this part of the pool was shallow enough for her feet to touch the ground while keeping the ropes on shoulder level. "What are we doing Winter?"

"Well I was considering torturing you for information on this Blake guy, but I figured I'd test your ability to walk on the bottom of the pool to the other side." Winter said with a smile. "It's okay if you won't make it far this time, physical therapy is a journey after all."

Weiss looked very hesitant but reluctantly grabbed on to the ropes and gripped them tightly. she let her legs settle on the bottom of the pool.

"Weiss put some weight on them." Winter demanded.

Weiss let legs attempt to hold her weight for the firs time since the accident. Weiss whimpered in pain as her legs protested "Okay this kinda fucking hurts Winter"

"You've been working them out so so of course your legs are going to be sore. The muscles won't rebuild unless you give them a reason to. Try to take five steps for me okay?" Winter said with a reassuring smile.

Weiss groaned in pain as she forced her right leg to move in the water.. she griped the ropes and after taking several deep breaths lunged forward.

Step

Weiss muffled a pain gasp as her even in the water her legs protested her use of them. "Jesus that hurt!" Weiss shouted out.

"That's one, come on you can do four more!" Winter shouted in encouragement.

Weiss took a deep breath and tried to get her other leg to cooperate, her muscles were already burning as she tried to take her next step.

Step

Weiss took several deep gulps for air as she almost stumbled. Winter was more than close enough to help her if she needed her to. Weiss Cried out once she had the air in her lungs to allow her to.

"That's two. Don't you fucking quite on me, give me three more god dammit!" Winter shouted

"That's fucking easy for you to say, your legs work!" Weiss screamed out as she tried to throw her right leg out.

Step

"Two more! Your more than half way there, give me two more steps!" Winter demanded of her younger sister

"I'm fucking done! I can't do it!" Weiss screamed out as her legs strained even in the water.

"Stop acting like our mother!" Winter screamed

STEP

Weiss stomped forward trying to push through the pain, Winter knew that particular button could get her to push past anything. It's not that her mother was a terrible person, but she was a quitter. she always seemed to be more interested in leeching off dad's Money than actually adding anything to the family.

"One more, One more and were done, I'll buy you ice cream, shit I'll pay for your first date with that boy, I don't care, just give me one more step!"

Weiss screamed out defiantly into the air around her as she brought up her left leg and lunged forward one last time.

STEP

Winter was on top of Weiss getting an arm around her to balance her so she could take the weight off her legs. "Great work today! we keep this up and you'll be back on your feet for good in no time at all.

Weiss wanted to say something in reply, but she was to busy catching her breathe and trying to fight back the feeling of agony in her overworked legs. Winter carried her sister over to a nearby lounger and quickly laid headed blankets over her legs. "Okay lets give you fifteen here and then we'll dry off and call it a day."

Weiss finally found her words "Uh Winter?"

"What's up Tiger?" Winter asked.

"I don't know how else to put this... Blake is a girl." Weiss said as she cringed at the reaction she was expecting.

Winter stared at her for a few seconds before she spoke "Oh.. OH. Hey you do you sis. I'll get us some towels." Winter said as she walked off with a embarrassed blush on her face.


Later that Evening Weiss rested in her chair with a keyboard in her lap as she looked at her monitor, Ruby, Yang, and god help her Blake just logged on to the group chat. No one was surprised that Jaune was not online.

BLACKCAT42: Ruby we have questions!

BLONDEBOMBSHELL83: I don't have that may questions actually but sure answer some questions for all of us.

LIGHTANGEL1983: Yeah we all have a bone to pick with you!

RBYROSE1: Um shit hi! let me get settled in first!

BLACKCAT42: We all know you settled in already, Now start explaining!

RBYROSE1: I'm guessing this anit about the Christmas party I take it?

Weiss muttered out "No shit Sherlock" with a stick of Pocky in her mouth as she stared at her computer screen. Winter picked up up a box to help her celebrate her first real milestone in physical therapy today.

RBYROSE1: Look you need to understand, most of this is not my place to talk about, you want to know most of this, you need to ask Jaune.

BLACKCAT42: Well that means you know why he did what he did then?

BLONDEBOMBSHELL83: Can we set a ground rule now that we don't dance around the words? He tried to kill himself.

Everyone paused their typing for a bit. Ruby posted again

RBYROSE1: Yes... That i'm sorry to say is exactly what happened, Jaune tried to kill himself in his kitchen.

LIGHTANGEL1983: Hey I know this is not easy for you to discuss, I mean were all his friend, but...

RBYROSE1: Look he's alive. I'm just happy for that.

BLONDEBOMBSHELL83: Hey you told me though that you wanted to talk it out on group chat tonight. So what do you know ruby. Don't go into the details if you can help it.

There was a pause as Weiss watched the "RBYROSE1 is typing" Message pop up several times on screen. While she waited she reached for her coffee thermos that was attached to the side of her chair.

RBYROSE1: Look, if we do this, we don't talk about it to Jaune, he dose not need to know that you all know. I don't think he's comfortable with me knowing to be real honest.

BLACKCAT42: Okay

BLONDEBOMBSHELL83: I agree!

LIGHTANGEL1983: I just want answers Ruby I agree.

RBYROSE1: Okay the truth is, I don't think Jaune has been okay for a while, remember that time he mentioned he had an ex girlfriend back where he lived?

BLONDEBOMBSHELL83: One of the many times I put my foot in my mouth yeah?

RBYROSE1: Jaune for months thought that she died in when she was accidentally struck by a car. She was ran over. I'm thinking that shoulder injury he got the night that Weiss was hit might of reawakened some bad memories of her death. It might have been festering pretty bad too since he was able to keep me safe from getting hit, but he wasn't there for the girl he left behind.

Weiss cringed and said to the walls "Shit I had no idea his ex died... and by being hit by a car? Now I want to give him a hug." Weiss also said to herself "Damn shame I didn't have one of him walking with me that evening..."

BLACKCAT42: Oh shit, man that's rough...

BLONDEBOMBSHELL83: That's why you insisted on waiting for him that one day, I saw you giving him a pretty big hug, you had just found out didn't you?

RBYROSE1: Yeah...

LIGHTANGEL1983: There's more to this...

Ruby was slow to reply.

RBYROSE1: It wasn't an accident...

Now it was Weiss's turn to hesitate to type, everyone else seemed to hesitate to reply as well. Blake was the first to seemingly compose herself enough to respond.

BLACKCAT42: how long ago did he learn this?

RBYROSE1: I guess 3 days ago now.

BLONDEBOMBSHELL83: That actually makes me more pissed off at him than not.

LIGHTANGEL1983: Yang!

BLONDEBOMBSHELL83: I... I just can't excuse it... I'm sorry... I mean I feel awful but...

RBYROSE1: Leave it be Yang... He was not in his head at the time, I'm not kidding when I say that it wasn't him in there.

BLONDEBOMBSHELL83: Alright... I'll leave it be... Jesus though his ex girl killed herself? He saw how bad that hurt him and he decided to do the same?

BLACKCAT42: That would mess up anyone Yang. I can't say I wouldn't have done the same if I was in his shoes you know? I'm glad ruby stopped him...

RBYROSE1: Hey I'm going to turn in for the night...

BLONDEBOMBSHELL83: It's barely nine and you just got online! You sure you want to turn in already?

RBYROSE1: Yeah Sorry all, I'm going to call it a night.

Weiss quickly excused herself as well to get ready for bed.


In a different part of town. In his dark room Jaune stared glassy eyed at his screen, He had logged in to AIM earlier in the evening and set his account to invisible so he could have a "chat" with Pyrrha. He just watched his friends talking about him over their group chat.

"Pathetic... I should have said something" Jaune thought to himself. before he got a message notification.

PNIKOS15: Jaune... Are you there?

Jaune's eyes went wide and he looked at the screen "P-Pyrrha?"


Well someone forgot that invisible mode exists for AIM. Also fuck it, I guess we are Monochrome now.

So a good chunk of this chapter was setting up future events. I think you can all tell what I'm referring to here. So Beyond the next few chapters I don't have a lot of rock solid plans in mind so I wanted to get a few things down now and set up so I can keep the story going.

I am going to update Dust Eater this week, I think I'd like to slip into a routine of once this current "Major" arc is done here. To go back to alternating the updates Schedule between this and Dust Eater. So look forward to that, and I'll see you all next time.