Time for some more of this story.

Chapter 20:

Sniffling a little Blake refreshed the page she had been staring at for what felt like years even though it had only been a few days. She couldn't believe she had been so focused on something like this. The only solace she really held was the fact that she had heard from the security that Ilia hadn't gotten the clue of how she wasn't allowed on the property and has been shot at a few times.

Blake would be lying if she didn't say that it did make her feel better. She was just surprised they hadn't arrested her yet. The only reason she could see them not acting on it was because of a lack of something and have just assumed the several trespassing attempts that coincided with Ilia's return were connected.

"Kitten, you've been in your room with no lights on for a few days right now. Your mother is worried and is forcing me to check on you." Ghira said as he opened the door to see his daughter's face being illuminated by the blue glow of the computer screen she had been allowed to use.

Sleep just hadn't seem to come to her in a few days, and the aftermath seemed to be clearly resting just below her eyes. It had brought some major fear to him because of how much anger he had for one woman being able to cause that kind of pain with his true pride and joy.

"I mean have you even eaten anything since a few nights ago? The kitchen staff haven't had anything ordered for you and the stock hasn't really shrank any except for your mother drinking tea like it is going out of fashion." Ghira asked as he walked a few steps further into the room before he just took a seat next to Blake.

He wasn't sure if his confusion as to how Blake became so infatuated about a woman was showing, or if Blake just started to have enough of the concern from her parents. Lowering the screen, Blake just took a deep breath as she rested her head against her father's shoulder.

"I've been eating. Just really rice though." Blake muttered softly as she felt her father gently pulling her into a one arm hug as they just stared into the darkness that was the room. "One of mine and Ruby's mutual friends emailed me. She is going to check up on Ruby a bit more frequently... but also try and get her to call me on someone else's phone because she did smash it out of anger... or email me." Blake spoke softly as Ghira quickly caught her arm as though she was about to lunge forward just to check her emails clearly once more.

"Blake, just trust your friend. I'm more concerned how the hell did Ruby break her phone? Did she roll over it?" Ghira asked just hoping to change the subject enough to get Blake's attention away from the computer screen she had been attached to for multiple days.

Chuckling a little dryer than she intended, Blake just sniffled. "She does have a lot of upper body strength dad. I mean she can pick me up like it is nothing... and apparently tossed her phone from the back of the apartment to shatter it against the front door. It was a matter of time before it finally broke beyond her realm of repair. Which is surprisingly large. I've seen her repair things like my... um... let's not talk about that."

"Yeah it is for the best. I'm already infuriated that Ilia hasn't been caught breaking in yet. Because I would love to throw her in jail for a real reason. If you talk about stuff like that and Ruby I'll be pissed at her and contemplate organising a diplomatic visit so I can rip her arms off myself." Ghira said wondering why Blake was laughing but he couldn't even really begin to question it. To him it was just nice hearing his daughter's laugh again after so long of not hearing its magic. "But if you and this mutual friend are really close, do you actually think she'll talk sense into Ruby?"

"She has talked her into doing a lot of other things Ruby didn't like... I just hope she can get over the fear inducing thing that is Tai. I mean I love you Dad, but I doubt that you could take him in a fair fight." Blake said softly as Ghira rolled his eyes lightly as Blake just smiled at him. "I don't even need to look to know you rolled your eyes and Mom would be pissed. But Tai did do a lot of illegal fighting in his youth when you were busy being a nerd playing board games and stabbing Mom with an implement used to kill seals and whales. Everyone is still unsure if he has actually killed people intentionally. Definitely did by accident."

"Please. He is a lawyer. That is something far more terrifying and disheartening, but they aren't known for being body builders or even fighters. And I only technically stabbed your mother twice. And a toggle harpoon is only really for seals. I'm offended you'd forget that." Ghira said as Blake just laughed softly again. "And please don't tell your mother about me rolling my eyes. I don't think I can hide from the media for a month again as my shoulder heals." Ghira whispered softly as he turned to face Blake who smiled at him.

"I know that feeling. She caught me doing it recently... my ear still hurts really bad. Worst part is she knows how much that hurts. Makes me wish I was like you with only one pair of ears. Would make things a lot easier." Blake muttered as Ghira just laughed softly. "You probably should get back to Mom. Tell her I'm at least doing better..." Blake whispered softly as Blake lightly patted her arm trying his hardest to give her one last bit of comfort before he left.

Standing up, Ghira just smiled at the fact that Blake seemed to have chirped up at the thought that was Ruby might actually contact her and bring her out of this slump. "Do you want me to tell her anything else?" Ghira asked softly as Blake just rested her head against the wall once more.

"Can you ask her to make that fish rice bowl she used to make for me when I was younger? If it isn't something hard for her right now. Just that seems like it is the only thing that could pick my mood up any more. You know unless Ruby messages me tonight which I doubt will happen. Again because of Tai."

"And I keep telling you lawyers aren't scary. Especially when you have command of an army and a really nice collection of antique harpoons. But your Mom will make anything for you, and you know it. Especially when you are hurting like you have been."

Looking at Weiss yawning as she began to rubbed her eyes, Ruby just smiled faintly as she gripped the wheels of her chair as she began to wheel back laughing internally at the sight of a worried multi coloured hair woman gesturing for her to come outside.

"Hey Weiss, want to see someone shorter than you piss themselves thinking my Dad is in the room?" Ruby whispered as Weiss pulled her hand from her face as she began to look around the room. It was something that Ruby knew it was exactly about, but that wasn't exactly going to be something that stopped Ruby any.

"Tai isn't in the room? Hell didn't he leave to go home for a few hours of proper sleep like I suggested for you as well?" Weiss asked rhetorically as she could hear the woman just chuckling softly. But she had to admit that while it was a mystery as to how she fell asleep herself, but she'd be lying if she said that it didn't actually feel good to get a few hours of sleep.

"You are having a laugh if you think my Dad actually went home. He probably just went to his truck, bent the seat back and is getting a few hours there. But that doesn't change this... watch." Ruby chuckled out softly as she began to roll towards the door ignoring the soft groan coming from Weiss.

As she got to the door, Ruby opened it a little as she stuck her head through it just laughing at a near terrified expression on Neo's face. It wasn't even really a mystery as to why she had such an expression. But what did make it amusing to her was the fact that people constantly never listened to her.

"Neo, if you want to talk, you are going to need to come in here. Just don't breathe too heavily. My Dad is super tired... several days of just power naps does that. But I can't come out really... need to keep an eye on my sister in law who is equally cranky right now." Ruby said as she could see Neo paling as she took a deep breath and began to look around carefully.

"Don't make me Ruby. I know you and how what I want to talk about is going to take a long time... and you'll probably yell. And if your dad is asleep I don't want to wake him up. For any sort of reason short of his house is on fire and even then... I'd rather wait for someone else to be willing to wake him up." Neo pleaded as Ruby just met her eyes with a clear message of doubt in them.

"Neo... come on. It is my sister and sister in law. My sister who just lost an arm last week. And was just taken off the medication a few hours ago to keep her out. Right now we are waiting for her to wake up." Ruby pleaded as Neo took a deep breath and just gestured her to re enter the room.

Smiling internally as she grabbed her wheels and started to wheel herself back. Just smiling at the near defeated look on Weiss' face. Within a few seconds Neo stuck her head into the room giving it a quick look around before a frown overtook.

"Ruby can you not piss off the nurse?" Weiss asked as Neo just groaned vocally.

"Not my sister." Neo said coldly as she focused on Ruby. "I should kick your ass Ruby." Neo continued as Ruby just started to laugh softly. "I don't care if you can't feel it, it would make me feel better. I come here trying to be a good friend... and you make me start praying for a faith I don't even really believe in." Neo hissed even colder as Ruby rolled her eyes.

"I keep telling you my Dad is a teddy bear. And if you want to bang I figured you would have guessed not for a while. I've been very busy. You know being a good sister." Ruby said as she leaned back in her chair as she could see a vein almost develop in Neo's forehead.

"It isn't about that. If it is about that you aren't the only woman in the world that is skilled with their tongue. And if I was really desperate I am flexible enough to take care of myself." Neo began as she started to walk into the room fully standing upright to just glare at harsher at Ruby. "I came by because I promised Blake I would talk to you because you don't have phone any more. And she is apparently barely holding it together."

Rolling her eyes, Ruby just met Neo's glare and proceeded to glare back at her only harder. "That isn't happening any day soon. So next time you talk to her, tell her I'll talk to her when I feel like it. So you should go yourself." Ruby hissed as she began to roll to just face away from facing Neo.

Ignoring the white haired woman, Neo quickly entered the room further before she plopped down onto Ruby's lap followed by staring into the silver eyes. "I get that you are all kinds of pissed Ruby. And that you are just trying to lash out so you feel better, but don't be that person that doesn't even talk to the person who they've been in a long time relationship up until one mistake. Just when you have calmed down... and possibly processed your emotions enough to not enter a screaming match... just send her an email. All I've done." Neo said before she planted a kiss on Ruby's cheek before she popped up and spun around to the white haired woman. "Don't let Ruby repress her emotions like she is prone to do... now if you don't mind I'm going to leave before that terrifying man comes back."

Before Weiss could even make a comment about how her hands were already full with dealing with Yang, the woman was out of the room so quick she could have sworn that she could have seen some dust settling. Turning towards Ruby, Weiss just glared lightly at her.

"Who the hell was that?" Weiss asked softly as she began to rub her eyes once more, with a small smile on her face at how offended Ruby seemed from that single question being asked. Even if it was probably the most important one that should be asked at this point until Yang woke up hopefully in a few hours. "Seriously, who is that woman and why is she so familiar with you?"

"That was Neo... who is the identical twin of that adorable nurse. And a friend of mine and by extension one of Blake's for a number of years now. And if you were curious, yes... they are even identical down there. Also have the same sadistic streak which I don't mind." Ruby said as she began to spin towards Weiss who had an exhausted look on her face that Ruby just knew wasn't from the fact she has been up a whole a matter of minutes. "Don't give me that look. I know it isn't the nicest thing I've done but it isn't nearly the worst."

"You slept with one of yours and Blake's friends... and her sister. How is that not the worst? Or at least in the running for it."

"When Yang is up and she is past the whole blind anger stage, ask her about how I spent my tenth birthday. Or if Dad is back in here before Yang ask him... I'm just glad he got over the whole accidentally setting his head on fire... and releasing all of the guinea pigs in our neighbourhood." Ruby said as Weiss just rolled her eyes as she turned her attention back to Yang. "Also don't listen to Neo. I'm not being irrational. I'm just waiting till my first reaction when I'm talking to Blake is scream at her."

Taking a deep breath, Weiss reached up and began to brush some of Yang's golden strands out of her still somehow very damaged face. She was even starting to doubt that it was right to wake her up, but the doctors had assured her that it was.

"I know you Ruby... you are going to wait until you are alone enough to just scream into the void. And I can't believe I need to say this again to you... and like the last five times, I hope I don't need to ever say it again... you are right." Weiss said as her face lightly contorted from what Ruby just knew was a difficulty for her to admit that Ruby was right. "She very likely slept with someone who tried to kill you. If you can't be furious at someone who does that... who can you be?"

Wheeling herself closer to Weiss, Ruby placed her hand simply down on her forearm getting her attention as Ruby just looked towards Yang just to make sure she was still asleep. "Weiss, I've learned a lot of things. And one thing I learned is... when you have bouts of anger, you will eventually say something you can't take back. Once that happens, it tears you up worse than any pain you can imagine. Am I furious at those four women? Hell yes. Would I want to see them be brutally attacked like they did to me... yes. Maybe even sometimes I wish death upon them. But I don't for Blake."

As she looked back towards Weiss who had a slightly worried expression on her face, but Ruby just lightly patted Weiss' cheek. "If it was anyone else Blake cheated on me with... I would have forgiven her on the spot. So let me work out trying to separate the anger for Ilia away from Blake. Because until I have that done, I just know with my luck I will say something I'll regret and I can't take it back."

Grabbing Ruby's hand which had remained on her cheek Weiss just gently tossed it down as she met the woman's gaze. "Two things. One don't smack me cheek. We've been friends long enough I can kick your butt and not feel guilty. And two, your idea of not saying something you'll regret is sleeping with a friend you and Blake have in common. Not only that friend, but her sister as well."

Rolling her eyes, Ruby gently smacked Weiss' cheek again with a giggle as Weiss glared at her. "Cheer up. Yang is going to hopefully be waking up today. And while you might still be worried about what is said... don't take it to heart. I know for a fact I said some pretty nasty things to my own parents. I didn't even mean any of it being directed at them." Ruby continued her point as Weiss just rolled her eyes before sliding her hand into Yang's.

"Is there a way to not make it hurt when she does start screaming?"

"Knowing my sister and how she gets when she is angry, no. She is going to go for the throat and knowing you, you'll masochistically just accept all the anger. Makes me kind of pissed the nurses won't give me something to give you for that. Just try and not take what Yang says to heart." Ruby began as she began to roll away a bit to just get a different look of the room. "Seriously, it is going to suck, and Yang isn't going to feel bad about it. At least not for a long time. I know I didn't until just before we met. And even then, I don't feel bad for some of the comments I screamed at my Dad or even Yang."

As Ruby spoke knowing that the frown that formed was from Weiss realising that for the first time in her relationship with Yang, Yang may just cut Weiss too deep in an argument that might cause some major harm to their marriage. It was a bitter truth, Ruby knew that. But that didn't stop the fact that like all truths it would feel a lot better.

"Weiss, what I don't feel bad about screaming at my Dad or Yang isn't from what happened. They were just truths. Like their constant need to baby me and act like if I sneeze I'm going to die. Or that I'm completely incapable from looking after myself. Something that they only really stopped doing since Blake got serious with me, and thankfully I was able to talk her down from the semi hourly phone calls during the day when she was just at a meeting with some paper or magazine company." Ruby quipped as she could see Weiss just looking towards her with a slight worry in her expression.

"Ruby, you are the only person I've ever known to be crushed by a trophy case and in the same hour nearly kill yourself by having a catheter tube wrapping around your neck. And that was just the first time I was invited over to your house." Weiss clarified as Ruby rolled her eyes as she began to force her chair so only the large wheels were touching the ground. "And you probably are going to break your spine again doing that."

"Oh no... a broken spine. However will I cope with not being able to walk again?" Ruby sarcastically put as she stared at Weiss. "And I wouldn't have nearly crushed myself if my Dad would learn I don't like being reminded of what could have been every time I go home... as for my catheter nearly choking me out... I got nothing. Probably should have invested in something to secure them to my legs sooner."

Once the words left Ruby's mouth, she could feel herself reach the point of no return as she fell backwards hitting her back against the floor coughing as she rolled a small distance backwards out of the chair. Coming to a stop, Ruby just smiled at the sight of Weiss laughing softly as she began to stand up about to take a few steps forward when Ruby held her hand up.

"This proves nothing by the way." As Ruby spoke she began to twist her body gently as she dragged herself back towards her chair. A smile being present as Weiss just continued to laugh softly as though her week hadn't been hell to her.

"Gods this is college all over again. You sleeping with twins, trying to cheer me up and somehow throwing yourself clear from your chair demanding that you can get back in yourself." Weiss said covering her eyes as Ruby covered the distance with ease back to her chair as she lifted it up, Weiss just took a seat back in her seat. "You are just short some sort of illegal narcotic stinking up the room."

"We never got caught, and my chair only went flying across the room like twice and that is because your drunken butt unlocking the breaks to move my chair so you could make an emergency route to the bathroom and not placing the breaks back." Ruby said as she slide the breaks into place as she began to pull herself up into it. Smiling as she grabbed her legs and began to carefully manipulate them around so they weren't going to be in the way.

Placing her legs down securely, Ruby just smiled at the relaxed demeanour of Weiss. It was almost like this was the first day in a long time that she could relax and not think about the woman who was probably going to be up at any moment. But to Ruby it just felt like she finally did her job properly and gotten Weiss to not focus on the missing limb.

"So while this has been fun, I probably should empty the bags out... kind of don't want to spring a leak here of all places. Going to be hard to explain... think I can get a nurse to help me?" Ruby asked rhetorically as Weiss just groaned softly as she rolled her eyes at the comment. "Might get some more coffee as well... starting to feel my caffeine buzz fade and a wheelchair might seem like a comfortable place to sleep but I can assure it isn't. You want some?" Ruby asked as she twisted her body to release the breaks as she gripped the wheels and began to move a little bit closer to the door.

"I could go for some... just wash your hands after you are done getting rid of the unmentionables." Weiss said as Ruby just waved her off before she opened the door and rolled out. It was something that caused Weiss some annoyance. If just because of how relaxed Ruby seemed.

Turning her attention back to Yang, Weiss could feel her smile start to fade as she could see the slightly swollen eyes start to peer open with some sleep being present.

"My head is killing me Snowpea..." Yang said as Weiss felt her heart sink as she could see her left hand reach for her own as what remained of her right arm began to move. After a few seconds of Yang moving the limb Weiss could see Yang about to move when Weiss' arms moved to hold her down gently.

"Yang... you shouldn't move." Weiss said softly as she could feel tears start to well up as Yang seemed to look down at her arm.

"Weiss, where is my arm?"

Author's Note:

Cliffhanger I know... but you should have expected that from me at this point. I'll catch you all next time.