Author's note: Sorry if this one took a while. Was busy with work and the holidays. Anywho, back to the story.

Project Jaeger

Chapter 6: New and Familiar

The night sky was still covered in a cloak of black and a sea of stars when Jaune Arc had taken to the streets of Beacon Academy. The twilight morning of the dawn had never been a time where he was awake enough to appreciate its tranquil beauty but Glynda had a different agenda in mind.

"Get up, Sleepy head. Time is wasting." Her voice echoed with clarity through Jaune's scroll.

"Augh," he groaned in response as he rolled around his bed. "Do you know what time it is, Glyn? It's 4:30 in the morning."

"And as such you should be awake by now. A pilot's day starts at 0400 hours. C'mon Arc. We have much to do and the day is young. And so are you."

And so he was up. Not by choice but by necessity, he walked out of his apartment into the chilly reception of dawn's early heralding with only his jacket to keep him warm and a fresh mug of coffee courtesy of his free coffee machine. He made light of it on his first arrival, thinking he'd never succumbed to using such a device but here he was with a fresh pot of joe. He'd never rely on the stuff before but today was harder than usual to get up. Like his pappy used to say, there was a first time for everything.

The first sip burnt his tongue. The second caused him to wince and contort his face in disgust. How could Marie and Ozpin love the stuff so much? Coffee was disgusting.

Jaune was so distracted by the hot beverage he failed to notice the curb of the sidewalk and almost lost his balance. Fortunate for him he caught himself in time but the mug in hand was lost in the scuffle and shattered into a million pieces on the cold hard ground, spilling its contents.

"Great. Just great." Jaune grimaced. "What a start to a morning."

He picked up whatever pieces he could to dispose of. No sense letting a student get hurt over his clumsiness. The chill of winter morning made the task much more annoying than he would have liked but he didn't complain. He had plenty of time.

Least, he thought he did until he glanced at his scroll. Jaune's eyes widened for a moment before muttering a cuss word. He turned his neatly paced walk into a full on stride, to head for today's long awaited destination.

The Shatterdome. Hangar and workshop that housed all of Beacon's great Jaegers.

"An old friend is eager to meet you, Jaune. Don't keep them waiting." Glynda's last words echoed in his head.

The blonde pilot recognized a few of his students on the way and he was careful to greet them the best he could without slowing down his pace. Eventually he made his way to the familiar steel double doors with Beacon's seal upon them. He waved his employee card through which beeped and granted him access. A hop and a skip on through led him to the multitude of elevators that only had one set destination.

Down.

Beacon Academy was built on top of a cliffside. Ideal for its defensive position as well as its isolation. Made the kids feel safe while at once keeping their attention on the task at hand. They were there to be Rangers. Jaeger pilots. Any other distraction on hand well… you leave it at the door. The Shatterdome however was built within the cliffside. Hidden from the outside world. Only those who had proven themselves and had earned the right to call themselves Rangers were allowed in.

Jaune shifted his weight around uncomfortably as the elevator continued its long descent. The place was both familiar and not. A feeling of nervousness crept up around his neck as he patted the nape of his neck, trying to rub out the feeling. Out of habit he turned to his left hoping to see the face that always brought out a calmness in him. Regret immediately set in and Jaune was once again reminded to live in the present. Her identical blonde hair and charming blue eyes were not there to comfort him for she was no longer around to be his strength. He needed to stand up on his own once again.

"It's okay, Lou. I'll make it work. For the both of us." He whispered under his breath. A psychiatrist once told him that acceptance was the last stage of the grieving process. But it was one he could never force himself to do, believing that his sister would cease to matter as much once he did. Deep down he knew it was a lie. He couldn't accept it because he wasn't ready to let her go. But being back in a place where he belonged, where he knew he could make a difference… it made him feel needed once again. It was a long time coming but Jaune Arc was ready to move on to the next stage of his life… without the lingering shadow of his twin.

As if on cue he could just imagine what Louise would have told him right there on the spot.

"You'd better be. I've always been proud of you, bro."

Even if it was just imaginary just hearing her say those words made him feel at ease.

The door of the elevator finally opened and out came a Jaune Arc who walked with a fire in his eyes and a purpose in his steps as he was greeted by the sights, sounds, and smells of his old haunting grounds.

The welding of steel and the flying of sparks.

The sound of the mechanics barking orders to newbies and superiors alike.

The rush of heavy machinery operating and moving around like the drones of an ant colony, in sequence to the others…

He missed this. It was good to be home.

A few of the old mechanics recognized him and gave him a warm hearty reception.

"Arc, is that you, you scraggly blonde?! Holy shit it's good to see that boney ass back to the world of the living!"

Jaune returned the greeting with an arm catch and a shoulder check. "Good to be back, Tony. How's the missus?"

"Same old, same old. I've got two kids now. Crazy little buggers. Don't tell my wife I said that. You should drop by. Pay Lily a visit. We'd love to catch up."

"I'll keep that in mind, Tony. I'll try to make the time."

"Yeah you better."

He smirked before waving farewell to the older man. Jaune was too busy taking in the scenery to fully invest in nostalgic conversations. His eyes wandered all over the hanger bay.

And they were there. The steel clad titans that helped defended the world of Remnant, time and time again.

On his left, an older mark II, with its bulky frame and heavy chest barreling. An emblem of a devil wielding a pitchfork was winking at him. Good o'le Diablo Intercept. Jaune wondered who was piloting the machine now.

Two machines down was the black and gold trimmed mark IV Jaeger. It was not the first of its kind to be outfitted with melee weaponry but it was definitely the mech that inspired the GD6 chainsword of his Crocea Mors. Echo Saber was the epitome of the regal swordsman on the field of battle.

Another one caught his attention and made him feel like he was a fresh recruit all over again. It was older than the first two. In fact it was one of the very first Jaegers inducted into service. A mark I. A deep blue and silver mech with a singular eye scanner on its head cam. Romeo Blue. Jaune remembered being deployed with Louise on a mission with the older mech. Old man Dan might have gone grey in his years but he could move with the best of them. Alongside his wife, Anna, the two made an unbelievable team. They showed the whole world that. At the cost of their lives, defending Mistral city.

Never forget, never forgotten. Remembering the words he would always associate with Louise, he took the time to pay a moment or two of respect. They might not have spoken with each other as much but they were fellow Rangers deserving to be remembered for their sacrifice.

It was because Jaune was so deep in thought that he didn't recognize the sudden force that clung unto his back and wrapped itself around his waist. It only lasted a moment and it felt melancholic. After all, He could remember the sight and feel of her anywhere.

The hug was strong yet gentle, fierce but loving.

Just like she always was.

"...Hey, Velvet." He awkwardly greeted his former classmate and mechanic.

Big brown eyes met his blue ones, and for a moment in time Jaune was back during his earlier academy days, those long bunny ears always flopping by his and Louise's side.

A smile and a small exchange of words. "... What took you so long Jaune?"

A question. One asked of a friend who he had not seen in years. One that was laced with both happiness and sorrow.

What could he say? Jaune wasn't entirely sure but he could at least be honest with Velvet. She deserved that much.

"... I was just trying to find my way back home, Velvet." He smiled ever so sadly. "I think I finally found it. I'm so sorry for making you wait."

"You big dummy…" Her voice cracked as she pulled herself closer to his side and pulled at his jacket as she buried her head into his chest, hiding away her falling silent tears. "You could have at least called. You didn't had to disappear like that."

Velvet was always a softie but even Jaune was getting a bit teary eyed regardless of the embarrassing intimacy he was sharing with her. He was just slowly realizing how much of a selfish prick he had been when he cut off all his ties towards Beacon. He was going to spend the rest of the time he was here making that up, no matter what it took. Regardless of the eyes that fell upon them Jaune could not find it within himself to let her go nor did he want to. The two stayed close like that for a few more minutes before Velvet let go.

"Feel better?" Jaune smiled gently.

The Rabbit faunus nodded her head while she wiped away the remaining tears from onto her sleeves. "You owe me some chocolate pudding for making me cry like that, Arc." She grumbled.

"I'll treat you to a whole tub if you'd like. I've got a lot to make up for, Vel." he nervously ran one hand through his hair.

"Yeah, you do. You and I have a lot of catching up to do. I've got so many questions for you."

"Just out of curiosity, Are you the reason why Glynda sent me here? "Jaune clarified. "She must have told you I was here the moment I stepped foot onto Beacon. Said something about a friend wanting to meet me here. Is that you?"

Now it was Velvet's turn to smile and smirk. "Yes and no. While I did make the request to meet with you as soon as possible I'm not the one who's been eager to see you. Well atleast I'm not the only one." Velvet strongly took his hand and pulled him along as they made their way down the corridors and long walkways of the Shatterdome.

"Whoa! What's the rush?!"

"Don't you get it Jaune?He's been dying to see you since you came back!"

Jaune didn't understand. "Who? I don't-"

"You will!"

Down they went until finally they came across an open bay area where a Jaeger was being worked on. With high rising cranes pulling up his parts, mechanics and engineers tinkering away at the core, it was hard to make out the steel giant at first but slowly and surely the mech was slowly calling out to his memory.

"Do you remember your friend now?" Velvet grinned back at him. Jaune could only stare speechless at the sight.

"At 260 Feet he is one of the tallest of the Mark IIIs,"Velvet recited the statistics of her handiwork, like it had been her mantra. She had always been proud of her gargantuan creation. "And at 1980 tons he is a heavyweight contender for biggest and baddest machine around. Steel Obsidian alloy make the bulk of his body with dust enhanced forgery making him tougher than any Grimm could ever dent. GD6 chainswords for basic weaponry alongside Ion Cannons as well as the only full on working prototype of a Dust core this Jaeger is the best of the mark III's by a long shot... My greatest accomplishment."

She turned to smile at him. " Also, your friend who misses his pilot."

"Crocea Mors…" Jaune finally muttered its name. It was Louise who gave it that. A fitting name for the gold and white titan.

The core of the machine roared to life as it lit up and fired off its engines as if answering his call. Jaune knew it was a coincidence, the engineers were obviously conducting tests but he liked to think the metaphorical beating steel heart of the Jaeger heard his cry and answered back.

Velvet must have thought so too because she simply said "Do you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"...he sounds happy."

And with that Jaune said nothing. No words were needed to be said as the blonde pilot continued to bask in the moment, in the company of old friends.

Lunch was a meal Jaune greatly enjoyed. Especially the kind of ones that Beacon served, something he often fondly remembered back during his student days. A hearty meal in the company of friends and colleagues was one of the highlights of his everyday life as a pilot.

While the meal the cafeteria could supply with ease, he found himself short on the list of people to enjoy it with. Velvet and her engineering team were still busy with maintenance on the Jaegers and were functioning on a completely different schedule from the instructors. Jaune would have gladly asked Glynda had he not known how busy she was already with the faculty meetings and her own busy schedule.

And so here he was.

Standing around the cafeteria looking for a place to sit down and eat by his lonesome. Finally spotting a table for his own the blonde Jaeger pilot eagerly made his way towards it and have his butt claim it. No sooner had he sat down that felt the warm touch of something bumping his hand and shoulder.

"Whoops," he called out. "Sorry didn-"

"Sorry I was-"

As he turned to his side a certain pair of lilac eyes attached to a lovely endowed figure caught his attention. Again. With her striking features, that yellow top, worn faded jeans, and a brown leather jacket Yang Xiao Long was definitely someone you could not ignore.

She smiled as she caught on. "Hey, Professor."

Jaune returned with a casual, albeit nervous one of his own. "Instructor. And hey to you too,Miss Xiao Long." Jaune didn't think it was appropriate for the staff to be eating with students (casualness aside, Beacon was still an academy) but he couldn't quite see harm in it either. Besides he really didn't want to go look for another spot. "I don't suppose you mind if I sat down and ate here with you?"

She chuckled slightly. "Not at all, Instructor. It's a free country. Sit wherever you like."

"Thanks." Jaune thought about it for a second but found that it would probably be best to sit across the table from the young lady. Her sister or friends might want to sit next to her. "Are your sister or friends joining you?"

"Ruby? Nah she had some things she wanted to bring back to the dorms. As for friends I'm not really looking for any. Got a bunch of em already, back in Patch. Figured I could stretch out on my own for a bit."

"I see."

"Oh, and Yang's just fine. You don't have to address me by my last name."

"Is that so?" Jaune raised an amused eyebrow, fingers already set on his apple. "I don't think it's appropriate for me to do so...Miss Xiao Long."

"Why not?" Was it just him or did she say that in a sultry manner?

"Uh, for one, this is an Academy. You are a student and I am your teacher. It's a professional relationship." He bit down on the red fruit.

"So?"

"So?" he repeated the girls question. "So it's inappropriate."

"Says who?" she grinned, taking a small sample size bite out of her pizza.

"Says, uh, everyone." Jaune answered as best as he could. "Two, I'm like older than you. Calling you Yang feels… I don't know, weird."

"Only if you make it out to be." She replied with ease as she matched his word for word. "Besides you're here eating with me, I'm pretty sure that's already crossing the boundaries between student-teacher relationships somehow."

Damn, she had a point.

His silence only lasted a second however.

"I get it," The younger blonde eyed him mischievously. 'It's how you get off, right?"

Jaune almost squirted out his orange juice through his nose as he hacked and coughed uncontrollably. "E-Excuse me?"

The buxom young lady could only gleefully laugh at the scene, clearly finding the rise got out of him amusing. "You like it when ladies call you professor. Is that it, Jaune?"

She said his name with such a profound extended sigh he almost wished she would say it again. Almost. Embarrassment won out in the end.

"It's Instructor. Instructor Arc. And no...I don't. Could we… could we just move on from this topic?" Jaune was no stranger on how to talk to members of the opposite sex but talking with Yang was something he had never been prepared for. The girl was hard for him to read.

"I wouldn't mind calling you Instructor…"

"Yang, please…" Jaune rubbed the bridge of his nose, clearly uncomfortable with the new found situation he was in.

"See? Was that so hard?" She gave him a cheery smile, laughing once more before taking a bite out of her own meal.

He could only sigh inward. Hopefully he could get through this meal in one piece.

"So...Jaune," And here she was ignoring social protocols again. "What made you want to be a pilot?"

Now here was something he found unexpected. A normal question. One he delighted in answering. "A wiser person once said to me that all it takes for evil to win is for good people to do nothing." the older pilot uttered softly as he absent mindedly played with his food, findling more comfort in the words he couldn't help but smile just a bit. Memories of his passed sister often did.

He realized the profound meaning in those words might have been lost on Yang. In fact it wasn't outside the realm of possibility she might find it to be cheesy and laugh at the notion.

Much to his surprise she didn't. Her luscious locks swayed when she placed her hand under her chin as she looked at him thoughtfully.

Dear God! can she be cute when she wants to be.

Brushing thoughts aside, he licked his lips as he fumbled back the words he almost lost. " What I mean to say is… I couldn't sit back and do nothing, right? People are dying to those monsters. If, if I can make a difference, why wouldn't I? "

Jaune chuckled. "I'm sorry. I don't think I'm explaining myself right. You must think I'm some kind of optimistic idiot."

The smirk on Yang's face was one Jaune would describe as playful and devilish at the same time. "You're not wrong."

Internally, he rolled his eyes. Of course she would think that.

"But girls like a guy like that. I know I do."

Wait, what?

The lilac eyed girl before him guffawed ever so cutely at his expense. "Aren't you just the most adorable thing, look at your confused face."

Always this girl was a step or two ahead of him. Like a master musician she played the tune and he was more than happy to dance along to it.

Jaune didn't know if he liked that or not.

Before he could respond she looked around once before eyeing him once more. "Hey, do you wanna get out of here?"

"Uh, I don't think that's-"

"I'll take that as a yes."

Her soft yet strong hands took his own and not a moment too soon he was being dragged off somewhere by this willful woman with only a small plea escaping his lips.

Protesting really wasn't Jaune's strong point.

It had been an eventful morning but somehow Glynda had gotten through it all despite the setbacks. And while she was never the eager eater when it came to lunch or breakfast she found herself looking forward to a lunch with an old friend and cohort. She timed her schedule to coincide with his and was hoping to surprise the prodigal pilot. The look on his face when she would gracefully sit down next to him as she casually took a sip of her tea would have one for the books. Only this time she could not find a hide nor golden hair of Jaune anywhere she looked around the cafeteria.

Strange.

If there was one thing she could count on was the fact that Jaune never missed a meal, a trait she had often made fun of.

"Now where did you disappear off too, Jaune?" she uttered under her breath, unknown to the fate that has befallen the wayward Instructor.