/==/ Chapter Five /==/

JNPR was relieved and excited. Jaune's most recent messages had alleviated their concerns, and with the added comments about missing them and being excited himself about returning to his team. Had substantially lifted their spirits, in particular one red-headed spartan.

While she knew Nora and Ren had missed their team leader, she herself had missed his presence in more substantial ways. Obviously as her partner, but also as a friend. A friend that treated her as if her fame meant nothing. It was obvious that Ren and Nora were following Jaune's example and she appropriated that, but it was just so natural from Jaune.

"He's going to be seriously behind in his class work." Ren pointed out, as he prepared for a day of classes.

"Well we have been collecting up his assignments, and the professors seemed to know that Jaune was going to be away." Nora commented.

"Ren is right, Jaune will be stressed to catch up." Pyrrha added to the conversation, "I think we should step in and help him. We can split up the work between us."

"I agree, but we should also consider, suggesting postponing the team training we've been doing." Ren offered, "It would give us more time to assist him without burning him out."

"And if he refuses?" Nora asked, "Jaune-Jaune does have that stubborn streak, and we all know he feels like he's holding us back."

Ren and Pyrrha nodded, agreeing to Nora's assessment. It was no secret to them that Jaune was ill prepared to be at Beacon, and they could and did see his frustration when he struggled.

"We'll just have to keep assuring him that he's important, and valuable to us." Pyrrha suggested. "He is smart, and quick witted. He's constantly out performing us in the tactics and logistics courses."

"I would almost say he has been exclusively trained, in regard to logistics." Ren pointed out. "It just comes so naturally to him."

"I know." Nora offered, "All those numbers and considerations for supplying a mission, or aiding a settlement. It makes my head swim. Bulk discounts, overland versus air shipping. He even considers things like water, sleeping bags, blankets and cots when we do anything in regards to disaster or settlement relief."

"He has a talent for resource management." Pyrrha smiled as she mentioned Jaune's possibly greatest strength when it came to the course load. He was the one helping them in that class. "So are we agreed? We step in and help Jaune, like he helps us?"

Nora and Ren just nodded to indicate their consent.

/=/

It was the day after the coffee shop incident and Glynda had to hide her amused grin as she watched Jaune pace about the living room, her thumbs rapidly tapping on-screen keys as she was taking part in what was an obviously animated chat with Coco. It had worked out as Glynda surmised. The DA took one look at the video footage from the inside of the coffee shop, and after considering the numerous eye witness statements, decided that Coco had reasonable cause for her actions, and dismissed the case.

Sky however was not so lucky, and even though he had been released to Beacon's custody, he was facing some serious charges. But right now that was beside the point. Glynda was happy that Jaune's normally bubbly personality had returned. Glynda's smile faltered when she noticed Jaune suddenly pressed one of her hands to her stomach, and groaned.

"Jaune?"

Jaune's response was to drop her scroll, double over and give her Aunt a pleading look, right before she fell to her knees and vomited all over the floor. Glynda was on her feet and at Jaune's side immediately. Her hand rubbed soft circles on her back, as Jaune whimpered in pain. Glynda had seen the change three times before. Once at the original ritual, then twice during Jaune's first reversion, and like then it was horrifying to watch. It was as if everything that made Jaune herself was absorbed back into her body. Her bust, and the swell of her hips shirking until they were gone. Her hair grew shorter by the second, her soft face more angular.

That was only the first part, the second came moments later,causing Jaune to cry out in agony as her shoulders and chest widened, while her arms and legs bulked out. All in all the whole process took a couple of minutes, during which tears of pain rolled down Jaune's cheeks. Jaune remained on her knees, still suffering through the after effects of her change from female to male. Glynda felt so powerless, and guilty for Jaune's suffering. Glynda chided herself for not resisting more. She also recalled the delivery from Doctor Peach, of the patches, and swore that she had forgotten about them.

"Jaune, let's get you to your room, so you can rest." Glynda softly commented, as she moved to assist her body shifted niece to her feet. Glynda sighed as Jaune struggled to her feet, in clothes that were ill fitting. "Do you want one of those patches?"

Jaune just nodded as with her Aunt's assistance she shuffled through her room to her bed. Glynda returned moments later with one of the patches and Jaune's scroll. Jaune gave her a questioning look, as her Aunt placed the scroll on her bed before her.

"Continue your conversation with Ms Adel." Glynda answered Jaune's look, "It will help keep your mind occupied, and it is rude to just abandon someone mid conversation."

Jaune just weakly nodded as Glynda lifted the back of her shirt and pressed the patch to her skin. The whole time she was addressing Jaune, repeatedly apologising for allowing this situation to happen.

/=/

Jaune was feeling miserable. The change always took so much out of her, and made her feel more weak and useless than normal, plus nauseous, and achy. The patch was helping with the dull throbbing pain that seemed to never really go away. Jaune was positive that it was her body trying to resist what had happened to her. Trying to force itself back to its natural state. Taking her Aunt Glynda's advice, she picked up her scroll, and reviewed the last couple of messages Coco had sent in their chat.

Coco: Jaune? Are you still there? Are you okay?

Jaune: Sorry, I suddenly felt sick to my stomach, maybe it was something I ate that didn't agree with me. IDK.

Coco: Yats has a good herbal remedy for upset stomachs, I can bring it by, if you want.

Jaune: No it's okay. The feeling has passed.

Coco: Alright, but if you change your mind I can head right over.

Jaune: Thank you. I will if it comes back. 8)

Jaune hated lying about her situation, to her team and now to Coco. She was in pain, and she still felt like she was going to empty her stomach again. Yet, she couldn't allow them to see the truth of her situation, and it wasn't only because Headmaster Ozpin warned her of it, but because she was embarrassed about it. She was a freak, a young woman with attraction to women, forced to hide in the body of a young man.

Coco: So can I see you tomorrow? I know the coffee in the cafeteria is kind of blah, but we could sit and have a chat like we were going to, before…

Jaune: I can't. 8(

Coco: Why? If this is about me getting in trouble over the beat down I gave that bastard, I don't blame you. I would do the same thing for anyone I saw in that type of situation.

Jaune bit her lip. She racked her brain for a possible excuse, something believable, and that wouldn't make it seem like she was leading Coco on. She really did want to get to know the Fashionista, and see if her attraction to the cute and outgoing second year was more than just physical.

Jaune: I'll be gone for a bit. I have been approved to go out and visit the rest of my family, so I'll be away from Beacon and Vale for a while.

Coco: 8(

Jaune: Sorry. 8(

Coco: I'll be honest, I am a little disappointed, but I understand. How long since you saw your family, if you don't mind me asking.

Jaune: About four months.

Coco: Is that why you're transferring schools? Homesick?

Jaune: Pretty much.

Coco: What about your team?

Again Jaune paused, searching for a plausible answer. She knew she was piling on the lies, and was growing more and more concerned about what was going to happen when it all fell apart. Yet considering her situation, there was little she could do, aside from compound the problem.

Jaune: We broke up. Just couldn't make it work, so they let us disband.

Coco: That had to be rough. So you're here as a solo?

Jaune: Maybe.

Coo: Maybe?

Jaune: Vale does have a really well renowned Dance School. The Royal Ballet Company. I'm tempted to step away and apply there.

Coco: I'd hate to see you leave, after just meeting you… but if it's what you want and feel you need to do… Though it does make me wonder…

Jaune: About?

Coco: If dancing is more your passion, and I know that I asked this before, but why try out to be a huntress?

Jaune sighed, and then groaned. The pain was lessening, but it was still there, and she was faced once again to create something believable. She never wanted to be a huntress, and her family supported her desire to try and be a dancer, and if that didn't pan out, then a house-wife or take over the family business after her parents retired. Then she thought about her Uncle John. He had been a huntsman. It had cost him his life, but still.

Jaune: Family tradition.

Coco: 8l

Jaune: What? Did I say something wrong?

Coco: You shouldn't base your life choices on family history. If you would rather dance, then pursue that. Don't do something you have no interest in just because of family. At least that is what I think.

Jaune paused in her reply. Coco made a good point, and even though she didn't choose to be here, it was a good point.

Jaune: Thanks.

Coco: For?

Jaune: Saying what you have. I haven't made up my mind yet, but it is helping put things in perspective. TTYL?

Coco: Sure. TTYL. GN.

Jaune: GN

Jaune hesitated to put a heart emoji. While she was interested in Coco, she didn't want to give the wrong impression so early on. So she left it, and logged out. Leaving her scroll on her bed beside her, she squirmed for a minute or so, before closing her eyes and trying to get some rest.

/=/

Morning came, and Jaune found herself reluctantly putting on the male version of the Beacon uniform. She sighed and shook her head as she viewed herself in the full length body mirror situated on the back of her door. She was finding it disturbing seeing herself in his body. It looked and felt wrong. Closing her eyes again, she tried to clear her thoughts and focus on the reunion with her team.

She had to be up early for it to work out. To show up at the JNPR's dorm before any of them thought to try and meet her as him at the bullhead docks. Getting a hug from her Aunt, Jaune slid the strap of her overnight bag over her shoulder and exited the apartment. Moving through hallways, she rushed, but tried to look like she wasn't. It was all in an attempt to get to the dorm room before anyone could think to leave. She knew Ren would be the first one up, as he was always an early riser, followed by Pyrrha then final herself and Nora.

Jaune arrived at the door just as Ren was leaving.

"Jaune? You're very early."

"Hey, Ren. Yeah, I figured I'd get here as soon as I could, so I wouldn't disrupt the morning routine much." Jaune lied, and she noticed Ren's slightly disbelieving look, which caused her to try and rack her brain for a follow-up comment to push her lie home.

"That was very considerate of you, though Pyrrha and Nora wanted to meet you at the pads, to welcome you back." Ren informed his newly returned team leader. "They're actually up, and just getting ready. They'll be happy to see you back."

"It's good to be back. It was a long week, but everything worked out."

"That's good to hear." Ren replied, "We've been gathering your assignments while you've been away."

"Thanks." Jaune replied with a defeated tone, having forgotten about the mountain of course work she was going to be facing when she returned to her team.

"We decided to split it up, and we're all going to help get through it." Ren informed his depressed looking friend. "It'll work out."

"I know, just not looking forward to it." Jaune responded as Ren turned to open the door.

Jaune didn't make two strides inside before he was entrapped by a trademarked Nora hug.

"Jaune-Jaune! You're FINALLY back!" Nora cheerfully exclaimed at the top of her lungs, causing Jaune to wince as the breath was being slowly squeezed out of her body.

"Welcome back Jaune." Pyrrha greeted him with a warm smile on her face. "We were getting ready to meet you."

"I came as early as I could." Jaune lied, seeing as he never actually left Beacon's grounds, aside from the short trip to Vale with Coco, but her team didn't need to know about that, at least yet.

As Jaune returned greetings and slowly extracted herself from Nora's grip, Ren covertly checked his scroll, looking up the bullhead schedule. He had been sure they would have had plenty of time to meet Jaune at the landing pads, even if he took the earliest flight. Giving Jaune a discreet look, at his confirmation that the first bullhead wasn't scheduled to land for another ten minutes, he wondered. He considered telling Pyrrha and Nora, but dismissed it. No sense getting them involved until he had more information, because Ren was aware of the temporary rooms available, and there was a chance Jaune arrived late at night, and instead of disturbing them had requested one of those rooms. It was plausible, but weighing it against what Jaune said in the hallway, Ren still had some suspicions.

After Jaune had settled back in and was introduced to her mountain of homework, the quartet decided to get an early breakfast.

/=/

The day proceeded as one might expect. Ruby greeted Jaune with a barrage of questions, when the sister teams met up in the hallway prior to Professor Port's Grimm Studies class. Though, Ren did notice a particularity. In all but Professor Goodwitch's Combat Class and Doctor Peach's Ethics Class, Jaune's return was mentioned. In those two classes, it was completely glassed over.

Even in Combat Class, Ren fully expected Jaune to be called up for a spar. He wasn't, which just added to the questions Ren was compiling. So when he had a chance to be alone with him, while they worked on some of his history assignments in the library, Ren struck.

"Jaune, I want you to be honest with me." Ren addressed the blond, and noticed the sudden concerned look that crossed his face,

"A… about what, Ren?"

"What is going on with you?" Ren replied flatly.

"Seriously, there is nothing going on." Jaune lied, and Ren knew it. Even as short of a time as he had known the blond, Jaune was fairly easy to read. He wore his feelings on his sleeve, which in Ren's estimation made him easy to befriend, but it also made him a terrible liar. Case in point, Jaune had just rubbed the back of his neck, a sure sign he was uncomfortable.

"Jaune, we both know that's not true." Ren gave his team leader a sympathetic look. "I want to help, and I know Pyrrha and Nora would as well, but we can't if we don't know what's wrong."

"I… it's nothing to be concerned about, it's not anything really." Jaune tried her best to keep eye contact, but she found it hard when she was being so blatant in her falsehoods. She couldn't tell them the reality she was living. Not only was she instructed not to, but the whole situation was so unbelievable, there was no way they would accept it as truth. "Just still a little worried about my mom."

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

"Then why after missing so much time didn't Professor Goodwitch call you up for a spar?" Ren asked, his keen eyes watching every twitch and movement Jaune made. "You're called up every couple of days, you'd think…"

"You, CAN'T tell anyone, please?"

"Tell anyone what?"

"Ren, please?"

"I promise I won't say a thing to anyone."

"Professor Goodwitch is my Aunt." Ren started to violently hack and cough, due to a sudden gulping intake of air, as Jaune continued, "I arrived on the last bullhead and she wanted me to spend the night, to talk about how mom was doing."

Ren wasn't sure what to believe now. The bomb about Professor Goodwitch being a direct relation to Jaune was a staggering revelation. Also the way Jaune relayed the information about staying with his Aunt rang of being true. His trademark flinches and ticks nowhere to be seen. Yet still it didn't all add up. Jaune's connection to Professor Goodwitch did, but the parts about his mother being ill, seemed tacked on. So Ren was positive Jaune was telling a half-truth, he just had no way to prove it.

"So Professor Goodwitch was taking pity on you last class?" Ren managed to ask.

"I guess." Jaune replied, again without any of his tells acting up.

"Makes sense, sort of." Was Ren's response, "We should get to work, try and get you caught up, as much as we can before next class"

Jaune just nodded, while internally she was screaming, and berating herself for lying so blatantly to her teammate and friend. She was positive when this all crashed down around her, she would be alone; that no one would ever trust her again. It was unrealistic, to think and feel, but Jaune was just so twisted up inside that she was completely selling herself on the idea that these lies would follow her the rest of her life, and ostracise her.

/==/

So We have a cover image... A reader did a google search and suggested it for this story.
I make no claims to having any rights associated with said image.