"So, lets go over this again."

Jaune resisted the urge to groan, doing so would probably get him court martialed at this point. He, Ciel and Rhodey were in their service uniforms standing at attention in front of a less than impressed General Ironwood, who was currently sitting at a temporary desk inside of his airship. Penny was with her father a few levels below getting a diagnostic check. "Penny, the girl you're in charge of keeping safe and away from the white fang, slipped away from you-" he pointed at Ciel, who flinched, "-after convincing you to leave campus without your other teammates; and then convinced you two-'' he pointed at Jaune and Rhodey, neither of which flinched, "-to not only go after a known White Fang Terrorist, but also to engage a white fang cell at the docks, causing untold damage and crashing three civilian bullheads, am I missing anything?"

"Gunny also drank a bar." Rhodey offered.

"That wasn't just me." Jaune defended. "My sister helped."

"This is NOT a joke." Ironwood thundered. slamming his fist on the desk, making both soldiers snap back to attention and making Ciel flinch back violently, "while I congratulate you on preventing the theft of Dust, weapons and other commodities, you had no right to go after the White Fang! Or involving not only Penny, but a Valesian HIT student who had no authorization to even leave campus!"

"It was on my orders sir." Jaune said, stepping forward, "I believed the threat was real enough to follow up on Ruby Rose's intel, and believed bringing Penny with us would have been better than leaving her undefended at Beacon, we contacted the local base for backup, any decisions in regards to this are mine and mine alone."

Ironwood stood up, striding over to Jaune, "what you did was reckless, irresponsible, and were this any other outfit, I would have you stripped of your rank and court martialed!" Ironwood said sternly, Ciel and Rhodey watched on in nervousness, neither wanting to step in and potentially get the whole team thrown out.

"I will accept any punishment you see fit sir," he said. Unflinching.

Ironwood held his gaze for a few moments, eyes searching for something, "you're in luck Gunnery Sergeant." Ironwood said, walking back to his seat, hands behind his back, his tone much calmer than before, "the Fang's you were able to capture-along with the intel acquired-make this little…unsanctioned Op your team went on worth it. We now have a good idea of what they're planning, as well as a general vicinity in which they're operating out of. Were it not for these factors i'd have you out of my military now…as it is I cannot and will not condone operatives who couldn't even give the Beacon staff a heads up."

"We did contact the base." Rhodey said, stepping forward.

"Commander Wallace states he wasn't informed until after the altercation." Ironwood said, looking between them, noting the furious look in Jaune's eyes, "however, I believe his communications officer knew well before, and failed to report it, he will also be disciplined." he sat back down, hands clasped and elbows on his desk, "as for you, I am placing you on unpaid leave, two weeks, in that time Rhodey will take over as leader of PARC. understood?"

"Understood sir." Jaune said.

"All of you are dismissed." Ironwood said.

"Yes sir!" they chorused. All turning around to leave.

"An entire bar?" Ironwood suddenly blurted out disbelievingly, making Rhodey snicker while Jaune groaned.

"It was half at best." Jaune defended himself, "and my sister helped."

Ironwood shook his head, "damned Arc's…what are you three still doing here? Dismissed."

Quickly they left his office, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Well, looks like you got your leave time." Rhodey said with a lopsided grin as they walked down the halls, Ciel taking deep breaths to keep herself calm as they went.

"We could've been thrown out of the academy." She whispered, distraught, "we almost did!"

"Easy there Soleil." Jaune said as Rhodey gave her girlfriend a comforting side hug, "focus on what did happen, you three will to stay on post while I go see my parents, it all works out. No use in worrying over what could have happened."

"Y-you're right." She admitted, taking another shaky breath and leaning into Rhodey, "a-and we captured white fang!"

"That we did." Rhodey chuckled, "Sucks Gunny got the book thrown at him."

"Please, this'll be an easier time than when I got my chevrons." Jaune snorted.

"How'd you get your chevrons?" Ciel asked curiously.

"He screwed the RC's daughter."

"Oi!"

"Sorry, he 'made love' to RC's daughter." Rhodey said with quotations.

"You know, I really hate you."

"I think I'll get over it."

Ciel giggled at their banter as they entered the Bullhead Depot, several standing by to ferry students and soldiers down into Vale, "will you be leaving today Jaune?" she asked him as they stepped onto the nearest one, sharing polite nods with those around them.

"Soon as I pack." he said, "Weiss will be coming with me, Julliette and Pyrrha will be leaving tomorrow to give us some time to talk with my parents."

"Try not to get caught in the barn again." Rhodey quipped.

Jaune suppressed a growl as the bullhead took off, "the day you met my sister was the day I should have retired."

"What can I say, I live for embarrassing stories about Little Jaunie."

WVWVW

Weiss checked over her things once more for what seemed like the eighteenth time as she mumbled to herself, mostly about the trip ahead, as well as the fated meet between herself and her boyfriend's family.

Boyfriend, the word still felt so foreign to her when she said it in regards to Jaune. Before Terra VIsta she'd contemplated it, but she'd never thought they'd actually get to this point.

"Clothes, toiletries, Myrtenaster, extra dust, my homework, my bind-where's my binder?" She asked in panic, looking back at her teammates, who were all watching her with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

"Did you Check under your pillow?" Ruby suggested.

"Oh, right, of course." she said quickly, picking her pillow up and froze, i don't know if i'm more disappointed that she suggested it, or that I actually listened. She thought in exasperation before throwing the pillow at Ruby, who whined as the plushy mass slammed into her face, "this is serious you dolt!"

"Oh yea, can't have the in-laws knowing you lost a binder!" Yang gasped, faking swooning against Blake, who rolled her eyes good naturedly, "I mean what will you do! What if they find out that you're not as prim and proper as you make yourself out to be!"

Weiss flushed, "You-I-UGH!" she stomped her foot and went back to looking for her binder, "For your information, this is VERY serious! I want them to like me!"

"What's not to like about a SDC heiress?" Blake asked blandly.

"To be fair, the way you and Jaune talk, his family doesn't like Atlas." Yang pointed out helpfully, "so this all may just be a moo point."

"Regardless I-" Weiss paused, looking at Yang while Blake and Ruby did the same, Ruby peaking over the pillow at her sister in disappointment, "a what?"

"A moo point." Yang said, completely confident and with no humor in her voice, "you know, it's like a cow's opinion, it doesn't matter…it's moo."

The silence in the room was palpable as the RWB of RWBY stared at Yang, "have I been living with her for too long, or does that make sense?" Ruby asked.

"It didn't make sense." Weiss said bluntly.

"It kind of did." Blake said thoughtfully.

Weiss groaned and sat down, crossing her arms petulantly as she stared at the floor, "I really want them to like me." She mumbled quietly.

"Then just be yourself Weiss." Ruby cheered for her. "There's no way they can hate you if you do that!"

"Try to tone down the 'rich heiress' part of it." Yang suggested, dodging the pillow thrown at her by Weiss.

A knock on the door had Weiss jumping up and heading straight over, opening it to reveal Jaune, clad in his iron gray BDU's and a rucksack on his back, "you ready?" he asked, smiling when she hugged him, which he gladly returned, "Bullhead leaves in fifteen."

"Everything's packed except my-RUBY WHY DO YOU HAVE MY BINDER!" Weiss demanded to know as she turned around in time to see Ruby trying to stow her previously thought lost binder under the bed.

"EEP!" Ruby squeaked, shooting out of the window with a blur of rose petals, Binder in tow.

"RUBY YOU GET BACK HERE NOW!" Weiss commanded, striding towards the window to follow.

"This'll have to be a fight you lose Weiss." Blake said as Jaune closed and secured Weiss' bags, "otherwise you'll miss the Bullhead."

"I don't think we'll need a binder where we're going anyways." Jaune said soothingly, guiding her towards the door.

"It's the principle of the whole thing." Weiss grumbled petulantly.

"Bye Weiss!" Yang called, waving as they left the room, "How bad do you think it'll be for them?"

"I doubt it'll be pleasant." Blake retorted, opening her book. "He has a strained relationship, and she's from Atlas, it's a recipe for disaster."

"Man…it's too bad we can't be there to watch the drama."

WVWVW

"So, what should I be looking forward to heading to your childhood home?" Weiss asked as they settled into their seats. Shyly intertwining her hand with his and beaming when he gave her hand a comforting squeeze as their fingers tangled.

"A lot of yelling." he said, dead serious, "we Arc's aren't known for being quiet at the best of times, this will definitely be a…loud reunion.'

"They can't be worse than Yang or Ruby, I'm pretty sure they don't know a different octave." Weiss said primly, "what about your siblings? Juliette hasn't told me much about them."

"Oldest three won't be there, Saffron's right on the Mistrali border with Atlas, Rosemary's working in a mechanic's shop in Vacuo, and Cassie is more than likely on a hunt."

"She's a huntress?" Weiss asked.

"Yep, she and her team automated an old Dreadnought class airship, one of the last of its kind, they use it as a support craft for taking out huge Grimm Hordes."

"I've heard about that! The VAS Caddie?"

"That's the one." he said with a smile, "by all accounts they should have a military designation with how much they call them in to work in tandem with Vales Volunteer Army, but I don't think she wants to be tied down to any one kingdom."

"Amazing…what about your younger sisters?"

"Katie and Sadie are seven, Twins." he said with a fond smile. "They're gonna wanna braid your hair."

"So long as there's nothing sticky left in it I'll be fine with that." Weiss said with a genial smile.

"And Delphi is the youngest, five, we called her ducky for most of her life, she won't answer to anything else last I heard." his smile slowly fell, his eyes gaining a far away look.

Weiss squeezed his hand, giving him a soft smile when he looked back, "Juliette said she let them know you were on the way." she reminded him, "and she said everyone was happy and excited to see you."

"Everyone." Jaune echoed, "I hope…"

Weiss leaned into his side, giving him a small peck on the cheek and making him smile again.

Soon the airship lurched forward, taking off into the sky as the couple conversed about mundane things, both barely paying attention to the direction the topics took, from classes to old memories to current news, anything to fill the idle time before eventually both would end up napping through the last three hours of their trip. Waking up as the airship docked at the small little airfield of his hometown.

"Last stop!" The captain shouted as Jaune and Weiss stepped off onto the open-air terminal, which led straight onto the mainstreet of Post.

"Wow…it's…quaint." Weiss said slowly as she looked around the one street town, its cracked road dotted with a few overgrown weeds on its edges, a few people meandered back and forth between the sparse shops.

"Jaune?"

Jaune froze as he looked to the right, surprised to see his mother standing beside the ticket booth, dressed in overalls and a green floral printed shirt, a red bandana keeping her golden blonde hair back and out of her eyes, she was a head taller than Weiss, stopping just shy of her son's nose.

"Is…is it really you?" She whispered, hands clasped in front of her as if unable to believe he was standing in front of her.

Jaune gave her a weak smile, "hi mom." he mumbled, grunting as she was suddenly crushing him with a hug, sobbing into his chest as he gladly returned the hug,

"You're alive," she cried joyfully, "oh my baby boy is alive!"

Weiss smiled as she watched the reunion of mother and son, wiping a quick tear away as Jaune's mother held him at arm's length, looking over him lovingly.

"Oh, you've grown so much, "she gushed, "I'm so happy you're back!"

"I'm happy to be back mom." Jaune said genuinely, taking a step back and turning towards Weiss, "mom," he began, holding a hand out to Weiss, who quickly intertwined their hands and stood beside her boyfriend nervously, 'This is Weiss, my girlfriend." he said, watching his mothers reaction. Pleasantly surprised to see her immediately pull the girl in for a hug.

"It's lovely to meet you," she said with a genuine smile, "Juliette told us a bit about you, and if you make my boy happy, then i won't complain, I'm Joan Arc."

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well ma'am." Weiss said warmly, "I'm happy to be here to see Jaune reunite with his family."

The older woman sniffled, "come on," she said, ushering them towards an old beat up truck, "let's get you home, your father should be back from his hunt by the time we get back!"

Soon they were in an old truck and on their way down overgrown dirt roads.

"When Juliette called and told us I almost didn't believe it." his mother said as Weiss tried to stay stable in her seat, "it'd been so long after all…but she reassured me and I came down."

"I'm glad you did," Jaune said lightly, "how is everyone?"

"Good, eager to see you again." she said happily, "it's all the twins could talk about."

"Everyone?" Jaune asked warily.

"Everyone." she reassured, "your father's currently helping Farmer Eli with a small grimm infestation, he should be back by dinner."

"Great."

"So, how did you two meet?" she asked, looking at Weiss and Jaune as they both smiled.

"Well, it was at a Military Ball that my father was in attendance," Weiss said, "and he always assigns me a guard when we go, usually they don't talk to me and don't let me go anywhere other than the main hall; well imagine my surprise when Sergeant Arc stumbles into the office with armor that barely fit him and completely interrupting my father's long winded speech to Ironwood."

"I was late, and the Quartermaster gave me someone else's armor." Jaune defended himself.

"Well needless to say he didn't make the best first impression with my father, but I thought it was hysterical."

"Jaune was always just a little uncoordinated." Joan said sympathetically as she patted his shoulder when he sulked a bit, "he once fell at the playground and tumbled right into a Boarbatusk nest."

"Why was the playground so close to the edge of the woods anyways." Jaune grumbled, making Weiss giggle.

"He and his friend Squints were my guard for the night." Weiss continued the story, "it was business as usual until I tried talking with them, and they actually talked back, Jaune said they weren't the most conventional. And Squints made a comment about their ranks being proof of that…you still haven't told me that story, by the way."

"Definitely not a story to tell with my mother here." he quipped, earning him a glance from his mother.

"Well now I want to hear about it." she said with a good natured smile.

"So anyways we told her it's not a good story for the party," Jaune continued for Weiss, like his mother hadn't said anything, "and Weiss said 'then take me somewhere where it is.' and so we snuck her out of Schnee Manor and down to a karaoke bar we like to frequent."

"We spent all night singing." Weiss said with a reminiscent smile, subtly leaning into Jaunes side, "father was furious when we finally got back…not that I could really remember, I had a bit to drink."

"Nice to know my son was a good influence." Joan sighed with a shake of her head, "Oum knows we Arcs can hold our liquor."

"We saw that a few days ago when Juliette and Jaune drank an entire bar." Weiss said.

"You two drank an entire bar?" Juliette cried out in exasperation, looking at her son sharply.

"Oh look! We're here!" Jaune cheered, refusing to meet his mothers gaze as they pulled up to the house, where already four blonde heads were waiting for them.

"We will be talking about this later, young man." she warned as she parked the truck, "Now go say hi to your sisters,"

"I'm surprised Cassie is here." Jaune said, noting the eldest of the four girls, who was glaring at him, her fists planted on her hips, a mean looking axe leaning against her jean covered leg.

"She finished her hunt as soon as she heard." Joan said, getting out of the truck alongside Weiss, Jaune hesitated for only a moment before he jumped out.

To almost immediately get tackled by three small blurs.

"JAUNE!"-"YOU'RE BACK!" they chorused as they practically crushed him with hugs, shrieking in delight when he suddenly stood up, gathering them in his arm for a brotherly hug and noogie.

"Katie! Sadie! I missed you both!" he cheered, dropping them back to the ground. The two didn't stray from his side, simply dancing in a circle around him, chanting, "Jaune's back! Jaune's back!" they cheered as Ducky finally slowly approached, staring up at Jaune with wide, surprised eyes.

"Hey Ducky?" he said softly, kneeling down in front of her.

She looked up at him, then reeled back and slapped him.

"Delphi Marie-" Joan started, but stopped when Jaune laughed.

"I missed you too kid." he said, gathering her up in a hug as she practically jumped into his arms, sobbing into his shoulder as he stood.

"Welcome back kid." Cassie said, walking up to them, her glare had softened a bit as she gave him a heartfelt hug, "you know i'm going to kick your ass as soon as Ducky lets you go."

"That'll be a minute." Sadie said.

"Yeah! She missed Jaune the most!" Katie chimed in.

"Enough you two." Joan scolded gently, steering Weiss into view, "we have a visitor."

"Everyone, this is Weiss," Jaune said, moving to stand with her, putting an arm around her waist, "my girlfriend."

Cassie's eyes sharpened, "a girlfriend you say?" she asked, making the couple sweatdrop.

"It's very nice to meet all of you," Weiss said with a genuine smile, "Jaune has told me so much about all of you." the twins almost immediately bounced over to her.

"I'm Katie!"

"I'm sadie!"

"Your hair is pretty!" they chorused, "can we brush it? Please! Please!"

"Told you," Jaune whispered to Weiss as she giggled.

"Maybe later, once everythings calmed down." Weiss said gently.

Cassie stepped forward through the chorus of whines from the twins, "nice to meet you Weiss, Cassandra Arc." she held a hand out which Weiss gladly shook, wincing a bit at the strong grip the girl gave her, "hmm, you got the calluses of a sword fighter, Huntress?"

"In training." Weiss confirmed, "first year at Beacon."

"And a Schnee, if that snowflake on your back is any indication."

Everyone jolted a bit while Jaune felt his spine stiffen, heavy footsteps crunched through the gravel driveway, steady and foreboding. The sound of something thick being dragged along with it.

"Nicholas, you're early." Joan said, her tone full of surprise, joy, and fear.

Fear in the confrontation coming.

Jaune slowly turned around, looking at his father for the first time in years, there were gray streaks in his golden blonde hair, he stood at least a foot taller than Jaune, dressed in a simple t-shirt that looked too small for his gigantic frame and blue jeans, behind him he dragged a common grizzly bear, the spear no doubt used to kill it resting on his shoulder.

"The grimm were easily dispatched, and this grizzly attacked while during the fight, figured he'd make a good rug." he gently dropped the beast and looked at his son, warm blue eyes gaining just a little bit of coolness to them as he walked closer, "still wearing the uniform then?"

"That's right." Jaune said, his voice a steel edge ready to cut.

"And a Gunnery Sergeant on top of that." he said, stopping only a foot from his son, staring down at him and the still quietly sobbing ducky in his arms. "A bold feat, for someone only a few years into his enlistment."

"Being the sole survivor of your regiment tends to bring eyes on you." Jaune shot back, Ducky whining in his arms making him take a deep breath, patting her back reassuringly.

Nicholas Arc seemed to deflate a bit at that, "I read the report," he said, "at least what wasn't covered black ink. You held for three days against immeasurable odds, saved countless civilians…" he raised a hand, hesitant, but then gently put it on his son's shoulder, "I'm…proud of you, son.'

"What's there to be proud of? Jaune asked bitterly, despite the warmth he felt from his fathers praise, "i lost…everything.'

"You all signed up knowing the stakes, don't cheapen your comrades' sacrifice by feeling sorry for them…though I wish I hadn't judged you so harshly, I would've been honored to have had such men in my home…" Nicholas shook his head sadly, "I'm sorry, Son, for treating you so harshly; I'm sorry for not believing in you."

Jaune nodded a bit, doing his best not to shift his gaze.

Nicholas sighed, bringing his hand back and extending it to Weiss, "it's nice to meet you, Ms. Schnee, my daughter has many good things to say about you."

"It's good to meet you too sir," Weiss said, her voice just above freezing, though she shook his hand politely.

Nicholas chuckled ruefully, "and how is Jacques these days? Still an ass?"

"Very much so." Weiss responded automatically, the ghost of a smile twitching the edges of her lips.

"He was always a prickly one whenever we were dealing with his company." he shook his head, "let's do away with the heavy talk, Honey, when's dinner?"

"If Cassie did what I asked-" Cassie stiffened in sudden realization, "-then the beef should be thawed and it'll be thirty minutes, if not-"

"Be right back." Cassie took off to the house, the family matriarch shook his head, "let's go to the living room, I"m sure the girls would love to hear what you've been up to lately Jaune."