Alright, I am back after a looong. And I repeat, long hiatus. I am very sorry to those that really liked this story, it comes with a lot of new bits and pieces. I know I am pretty pissed at myself. But, I am fixing that by writing new chapters. Here we go for the first one. Back to the present this time.

The hall erupted shortly after Jaune's declaration. Some were frantically calling contacts and messengers. Others were crying or shuddering. Ruby is just pondering what she is to do now. Her hands clench and unclench every few seconds. Yang is seething. Jaune comes back, just to tell them that the world could have Salem a second time. And he just saunters over and takes a seat on the floor near the entrance to the speaking circle.

He takes a swig from a flask and lights a cigarette. Then he lets his head fall back and he rests there. Ruby stares at him with wide eyes. Her emotions are running wild. She wants to run down there and hug him. Or hit him, or scream. But her whole body feels cemented to the wooden chair she resides in. Yang is about to leap down and greet the bastard with her metal fist, when a gunshot sounds out. This effectively silences the entire arena.

The hundreds of eyes all focus on the center circle once again. Jay stands there, with his tactical pistol aimed at the ceiling. Once the crowd focuses on him once more he holsters the weapon. The young man sighs and starts again.

"Let's all just shut it for a moment!" The unbridled rage in the boy's voice scares Ruby. She has never heard Blake's… No, HER son ever use that tone. But then again, Jaune coming back just to dump the news and sit on the floor saying nothing probably enraged the poor thing.

"There are things in place for this people! Salem was bested years ago by a strike force smaller than twenty! There are easily two hundred Huntsmen in this very room! Not to mention my men, consisting of fifty highly trained operatives that are huntsman level combatants. There are very few Salem supporters left. We are plenty enough to handle them fifty times over. We can't…"

But he is cut off by low, rumbling laughter. It is the laughter of a man who is hearing the most pathetic thing. The crowd once again focuses on the weathered wanderer.

Jay looks at his father with horror in his eyes. He can't be hearing this right.

Then the laughing stops, and Jaune's eyes fall dull again. No emotion on his face. Then he stands up and sticks his hands in his coat's pockets.

"They are out there… Waiting for us to make a move. At this very moment they are biding time. Searching ruin to ruin for one that hasn't died off. They could have it right now for all we know. But if I am correct, then it wouldn't matter if we did make a move. If they have her, then she will be back by the time we are even organized. I haven't been slacking these last few years. I haven't been instructing, or wasting away in a damn tower. I have been preventing a war! So with me back, I can only imagine the le-way they are making at this very moment! You are not enough! Triple this can't face her without the relics. So get to…"

Jaune doesn't end his sentence. A very quick blur speeded from her seat and punched him square in the jaw. He simply stands there stunned.

"JAUNE ARC! You are not in charge here. You do not command us! You are a damn coward and a broken man. So before you tell us what we are to do against OUR enemy, I suggest you make yourself presentable, and you address us like a man. Not like a withering child! You may be experienced in this, but you are far from all-knowing." Weiss Schnee shouts.

Jaune chuckles.

"This meeting is adjourned! All but those needed, leave now. An official statement will be put out pertaining to our plans for the future." Qrow says with a frown.

The hall starts thinning and people exit with mixed emotions. Jaune turns and starts to go too.

"Another step, and I will break your legs." A quiet and sad voice says.

Jaune stops, his shoulders sagged. His head down. And a hitch in his breath. He dreaded coming back for a few reasons. He knew they would all be back here. That they would demand he stay. But he had to tell them all what is coming. He is faced with turning around to face them right now. The Hall is empty but for them all. If he turns back he faces his past and his pain. If he goes, just his pain.

Then he turns. His decision is made.

"You know that I am extremely disappointed? That every day I wished that you would come back? That I had no clue if you were dead or alive? That my family will never meet their Uncle Jaune?" Nora says with tears and a desperation.

Jaune lowers his eyes.

"Nora, I… It is good to see you sis." He breathes out.

She huffs and sits down.

"Arc, I hate you." Yang says before doing the same.

"I missed you Jaune, thank you for saving me a few days ago. Thank you for coming back." Ren says walking up to Jaune. He rests a hand on Jaune's shoulder, before sucker punching him in the stomach. "That is for the tears we shed."

He then hugs Jaune and returns to a seat next to his wife.

Weiss scowls. "Part of me hates you for leaving, and another hates myself for wanting you to come back with less flesh. But you are back, so you will listen to us. You will take the information we have. Then you will decide. Here… Or out there."

Jaune nods.

Then he turns to the other three in the room.

Ruby, His son, and Qrow.

Jay takes a few step forward. He looks downright malicious.

"Jay." Jaune says hesitantly.

"Father." Jay spits back.

"I have something for you. Something I should have left for you." Jaune says taking a step towards his duffle bag. He opens it and grasps a metallic object. Then he reveals Gambol Shroud from the confines of his belongings.

Jay stiffens, eyes wide.

Jaune throws the weapon across to his son.

Everyone in the room looks to their feet. Just another reminder of her death.

Then Jay sets the weapon on the railing that surrounds the speaker circle.

Jaune looks pained.

"I can't begin to tell you what it means to me. That she lives on through that, and more importantly… Our son. I have disappointed you all. I can live with that. But I hate myself every day for leaving my boy. You should hate me, rightly so. I don't expect you to want to see or hear from me ever again. But I hope that you will cherish it. As she cherished you."

Jay throws himself at his father. Jaune almost dodges it by instinct. Butt arms wrap around him tightly.

"You bastard. You left me behind! You are my father! You coward piece of shit!" Jay says crying into Jaune's shoulder. He hugs his son with everything he has.

Then he cries.

Jaune drops to his knees with his son in his arms. Wailing. There is so much pain and regret that Jay shivers.

"How could you come back? Just to leave me and my sister again?" Jay wails.

Then everyone freezes.

Ruby surges forward and separates them and grabs Jaune's wrists.

Jaune asks quickly with tears in his eyes.

"Sister?" He croaks.

Jay freezes. Oh no. He let it slip.

Ruby puts a hand on the back of Jaune's head.

"Jaune, I need you to breathe. This is big news okay?" Ruby says softly and carefully.

"Ruby, He said sister! I.. You… No." Jaune croaks.

"Jaune, I have a daughter…. You have a daughter." She says rising them both to their feet.

Then she gently hugs the tall man.

Jaune stands in complete shock. He.. he didn't.

"Jaune, it was that night. Before you left. It was that night."

Jaune suddenly bursts out the door leaving a trail of golden petals behind.

Ruby sheds a tear and stands.

"He just needs time."

"I am going." Qrow says solemnly. " I know where he will go."