(May 8, 2018) EDIT: Big thanks to the anonymous reviewer Some Joe. Thank you so much for explaining the ranking system. I assumed the Atlas military was based off the U.S. Army model (or any modern Western army) so I had to rely on what I could Google about military ranks. This clarifies so much and I decided to go through each chapter to make the necessary corrections. Once again, thank you so much. :)

(April 3, 2018) SHAMELESS PLUG: Cover art is by yours truly. Title of it is [RWBY] Future Ruby and Jaune. Posted it on DeviantArt if anyone's interested. I have the same name over there so...yeah. Shameless plug.

NOTE: Can't sleep. Wrote this up at three in the morning. Slept for another seven hours then edited it.

The dragon was still there. Well, most of it.

Beside its talons, under its broken wings, stood Captain Jaune Arc and First Lieutenant Ruby Rose of the Remnant Defense Forces. How long had it been since they last graced this view? Eight years? Nine? Was it reaching up to ten? It was hard to remember after all that had happened since then.

The overgrown ruins of Beacon Academy lay before them, the broken city of Vale occupying the skyline, hidden behind dismal clouds and a flotilla of military airships. Down below, RDF soldiers and private military contractors picked through the remains of slain Grimm, shoveling through the dirt and moss, and pocketing the occasional trinket that could still be looted off this once prestigious institution. Salem may have retreated but her stronghold here had finally been broken.

Ruby let her hand run across the petrified leg of the beast she had frozen with her powers all those years ago. She let out an audible breath as the wind rustled through her obsidian combat skirt, rippling through her crimson hooded cape, accentuating the curves of a refined lady in her mid-twenties.

"Are you alright?" asked her partner.

"I'm fine, Jaune," she croaked.

Jaune could tell she was mulling. He knew the signs. He knew how she was. The colorful, cheery Ruby Rose that sometimes showed up on this very floor in front of a desk where the wise headmaster sat behind, awaiting a talking to over some screw-up in the academy... That girl, who was the fuel for morale and the driving force behind her team and the source of his confidence... This young woman—his liaison, personal aide, friend—idling beside him had matured so much since then.

He folded his arms and shared the view, his mantle pressed over the modified plate armor befitting his image as a modern knight. "It's been a while."

"Close to a decade now."

"Cardin's about done mopping up down there," he continued, eyes narrowing towards the mace-wielder managing his squadron through the rubble, a brute of a mercenary who used to make him his plaything when they were still enrolled here. Funny how a tragedy could break a man. Only for years of experience in the field to whip out the true warrior in him. "He's the only casualty on his end."

Ruby scoffed. "Of course. Tell the sergeant to take a break and heal up."

Jaune chuckled dryly. First Sergeant Cardin Winchester always got on Ruby's nerves. Their banter was one of his few sources of amusement. "He can handle himself."

"He's not immortal and neither are you, Jaune."

He turned his head to catch her glare. "That makes the three of us."

Ruby sighed, taking her hand off the dragon and wrapping herself in her arms. "I miss Beacon."

The Captain knew where this train of thought would lead to. It wasn't the first time they've had this conversation. And it certainly wouldn't be the last. Honestly, he was expecting this the moment they received the order to reclaim the academy's ruins. Winter's stratagem seemed vindicated so far—everyone may not have agreed with General Schnee's new offensive but it was clearly working.

"I miss it, too," Jaune replied.

"I'm sorry..." Her voice was soft. Carrying with it every emotion she knew he was no stranger to: grief, sorrow, anger, bitterness, regret, desperation, resignation...

"Ruby..."

"No. I'm sorry for bringing this up again, Jaune," she answered hoarsely. "We've already gone through this before. We... We shouldn't be opening up old wounds..."

"The wounds have healed," he countered. "All we have are scars that remind us to become better." Not his words but no harm in sharing them.

"I know, I know. I just...this place... It..."

"It's okay, Ruby."

A sniffle. A whimper. And the legendary Red Reaper of Remnant, stoic heroine of the world, deadliest agent of the RDF, among the last of Beacon's finest, let her face run damp with the tears that she refused to shed.

Jaune heard her and took her in his arms, letting her melt into his embrace. He ran his fingers over her hair, her sweat and tears moistening the surface of his breastplate. He hummed and held her close. How long has it been? On these grounds, he lost a potential love. On this floor, she witnessed the death of a friend. Has it been a decade already? Here he stood, cradling the only person who managed to salvage a victory from defeat with the power of her silver eyes.

"Ruby, it's okay."

She whimpered and wept. The air was cold, the skies dry. They stood there holding each other. For how long? Jaune couldn't care. They've studied together, they've fought together, they've bled together... He shut his eyes and let his lips press briefly against her forehead, stilling her momentarily so she could gather herself.

"Thank you, Jaune."

"No problem, Rubes."

Ruby giggled. How long has it been since she actually giggled? Not a forced laugh. Actual humor, actual emotion brought on by a light remark. "It's been a while since you last called me that, Vomit Boy."

Jaune smiled. The first genuine smile in a long, long time. "I haven't forgotten, Crater Face."

Those wide silver pupils, radiating hope. His own gaze showing warmth through the grizzled crust of bloodshed. They held each other, searching each other's eyes, their breaths warming their cheeks, their lips so close...

"About time you two hooked up," whistled Cardin.

The Captain and the Lieutenant quickly disentangled themselves, standing at attention with their arms behind their backs, as the mercenary laughed.

"Sorry. I thought it was cute, you two getting all cuddly together, hah."

"Anything to report, Sergeant?" Try as he might to hide it, Jaune's frustration seeped through his professional tone.

"All Grimm have been cleared from their pockets. Whole place is secure and ready to be repopulated." First Sergeant Winchester cracked a wry grin. "Even went and checked out the dorms. Amazing, really. Still have some of my old stuff left over in my old room. I'm sure you've got yours, too."

"Let me guess, you looked through the panty drawers?" Ruby snarked, her arms folded but her cheeks still damp from her crying. It didn't help her signature glare, one that often made the lower soldiers piss their pants where they stood.

"I wish, Red. But no. I ain't into that. Heh. Well, not anymore."

Jaune raised a brow. "Anything else, Sergeant?"

Cardin's mien turned serious despite how curved his mouth was. His Aura was still at work trying to mend the visible lacerations on his arms and the gash in his side. Being the stubborn frontline grunt that he was, he ignored the pain and limped to the edge. "Mind if I stick around a bit? I miss this place, really. Thought I'd check out the view seeing as how you got the engineers to repair the elevator that quick."

"We miss it, too, Cardin."

The mercenary nodded, his bulky form occupying the space between them. He ran his fingers through his scalp, letting the breeze run through his oily hair. It was clear everyone's favorite bully enjoyed this moment of solitude, probably reminiscing better days (including the ones where he was the bane of his superiors). "Shit, Arc. You're a lucky bastard."

"And you're a damn dirty goliath," jabbed Jaune.

Another chuckle. Cardin eyed his superior and then turned his attention to the reaper who seemed more confused than annoyed. "So...when are you two getting married?"

Ruby stomped her boot. "Cardin!"

Jaune sighed, his amusement shining through his false annoyance. "Damn it, Sergeant. Are you done here?"

Cardin laughed haughtily then slapped the Captain on the shoulder. "Seriously, put a ring on it already." He threw his thumb over to the other officer. "Damn, Arc. I'm serious. The whole RDF knows you're peckin' that pecker."

The sound of Crescent Rose activating sent the mercenary waltzing to the elevator, hooting and cackling all the way. Ruby snapped her head back at Jaune, catching the prideful smile on the edge of his cheek. "Seriously, Jaune?"

The Captain chortled softly. "Enjoy the few luxuries of life, Ruby. Even if it's schadenfreude."

The Lieutenant planted her scythe onto the floor, sighing in defeat. "We may have changed over the years but..." Her lips started to curl. "It's nice to feel this young again."

Seeing her happiness restored proved to be a crowning achievement in his life. And Jaune was happier knowing that the Ruby he once knew when they set foot on Beacon for the first time was the same Ruby standing before him—flustered, awkward, and dorky as hell. Damn, he missed that. And he savored the moment while it lasted. Of course, Ruby did as well.

"So..."

"So."

The Captain breathed deep, his professionalism returning to the fore. "Let's head back down. Get the sappers ready to clear out the debris."

"Yes, sir," the Lieutenant replied.

Together, they stopped short of the elevator, taking one last long look at what was left of Ozpin's office, letting the memories flood them one last time. But they were prepared. They smiled at the happy images playing in their minds, nodding at the points in their histories that would forever lead them to where they were now. They had been through memory lane before, experienced the pain, the remorse, and the frustration... It was just right to reminisce.

Captain Arc and First Lieutenant Rose of the RDF shared the moment, jaded but unbroken. Then they turned around and went back to work.

ORIGINALLY DRAFTED: March 6, 2018

LAST EDITED: May 8, 2018

INITIALLY UPLOADED: March 6, 2018

NOTE: RWBY has some creative ship names. Took me awhile to figure out what Lancaster was without looking it up. At least it wasn't as confusing as Rose Garden and Enabler...then again, the moment I found out what Enabler was... Quite the fandom, huh.

Anyway, hope you like this quick one. And leave a review to let me know what you think of it.