And we're back.

Chapter 26:

Groaning a little, Ruby began to cough lightly as she felt some much needed help being offered as she was being picked up off the floor. She wasn't even sure how she wound up on the floor, but here she was. Coughing lightly from the fact that she had hit her chest pretty hard when she seemingly landed on the floor.

"I think, I'm fine Blake... but what is that smell? Please tell me I didn't pop one of the bags." Ruby asked as she was lowered into her chair causing her to just wave her hand a little.

"No. I don't think so..." Blake began softly with a smile as she could hear a pounding on the front door that she was positive would have woken the dead. Sighing softly as she looked at Ruby who had started to look around before she frowned. "Looks like you just managed to rip the catheter out when you fell."

As Blake spoke, the sound of pounding on the door was causing Ruby to just roll her eyes. "Fine, you go see who is trying to resurrect the dead, and I'll try and get the poop tube back into my butt. Just don't mention this to the person at the door if it is the hot red head that is our new neighbour. But feel free to use it as an out to who ever..." Ruby spoke as she wheeled herself further into the room to try and find where the culprit was.

Smiling at the fact that Ruby seemed to have found the matter handled, Blake quickly walked out of their bedroom and quickly towards the front door as she flexed her ears flat against her head as she could hear almost hear the wood splintering against whoever's fist was slamming into the thing. It was actually a little alarming that someone as able to do something like that until she opened the door and sighed.

Taking a step to the side, Blake gestured for the blond man to come in as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Sorry about my current state of undress... we kind of celebrated the fact we still have a relationship and Ruby falling out of the bed this morning woke us up literally seconds before you started knocking." Blake said as she closed the door before reaching up to start rubbing the feline ears. "Also don't knock so loud... my ears are more sensitive than your stupid human ones." Blake continued as Tai extended a finger before shaking his head as if that wasn't worth his time at this point.

"BLAKE! I FOUND THE REASON!" Ruby yelled as she rolled out of the room before letting out a small 'eep' before rolling back into the room. "Why didn't you say it was my dad here?" Ruby yelled back as Blake just groaned softly.

"Blake, I'm happy you're back, but I swear if you say that everything isn't fine here... I can only handle one moronic child right now and while Ruby's antics normally would get a laugh out of me, I can't handle the added stress."

Before Blake could answer, Ruby rolled into the hallway with a towel covering her lower region and a hoodie on covering the rest with a pile of loose fitting clothes on her lap. That Blake just smiled and quickly grabbed before walking back towards the kitchen.

"No dad. I fell this morning and the bladder on the catheter wasn't expanded fully so it slid out... so our bedroom smells like crap. Why, did Weiss show up to your place dressed like Violet Crawley? She did that here and I'm ashamed I didn't think of that joke sooner." Ruby asked with a smile as Tai just stared at her with a raised eyebrow, pointing towards the bathroom where Blake had walked off to as if he was asking if Ruby had told the one thing that had been really the driving force of the guilt that she loved so while Blake and her were seriously fighting and Yang was unconscious. "Yes I told her. Now seriously answer the question. What has you breaking my front door in this early in the day and acting like now that Yang is out of the hospital that if I need to go back would kill you." Ruby asked as Blake reentered the room lightly dusting her hands on the front of her outfit.

"Ruby, this can wait. You should have a new catheter inserted so you we aren't gambling on how quick your body is going to digest your late night snack." Blake said snapping the duo to the real danger at this point as Ruby just groaned softly at being reminded of that. "Seriously Ruby... I'll put some coffee on... you don't want diaper rash again."

As Blake spoke Ruby spun the chair around as she sighed softly. "I need to have ripped the other one out as well, and me actually sitting in it for a while... but I get your point." Ruby mumbled as she began to wheel herself towards the hall closet.

Sighing softly, Blake just smiled as she saw Tai. "Have a seat. It is going to take a while for the coffee to brew, and you look like you can use the time to relax because you look like you are about to kill someone. Like more than normal... and I just hope it isn't Ruby or me." Blake said softly just hoping that she wasn't going to be back for two days to be murdered like this. It was actually making her regret not trying to snatch Perry from her parents, but she knew that Tai was at least somewhat fair when it came to his aggression.

"Wrong child. But I might kill Ruby as well given her dismissive attitude towards this kind of thing." Tai grumbled as Blake pressed her lips into a thin line as she quickly walked into the kitchen to hit the button on the side of the coffee machine before she walked back in to face the blond man.

Wrapping the cardigan around her tighter, Weiss just started to pace in front of the fire as she waited for some sort of response to be delivered to her. There had to be something that would just make this entire thing make sense. Hell Weiss knew that she was actually starting to wish that Yang would have just come out of the room, but there was no choice really right now but for Weiss to just be reliant on Klein to relay any message.

The only reason that this was hurting Weiss more than just the fact that Yang was being so distant was because of the very vivid memories she was receiving of this being exactly how her parents would communicate things to each other and even a few times to the likes of Weiss.

Hearing some footsteps followed by the door opening partially for the elderly butler to walk into the room hands clasped behind his back as he took a deep breath before he spoke. "Madam Xiao Long has agreed to having a dinner with you in the dining room. Provided it is only a single course. Might I suggest the meat course? You both are starting to look like you need the extra protein and iron." Klein spoke as Weiss just deflated a little. "May I be frank with you Madam Schnee?" Klein continued as Weiss frowned softly as she just took what she hope would be a calming breath, but all that seemed to happen was a chill seemed to just set in to her chest.

"Fine Klein." Weiss stated wondering what was the reasoning for him to ask something like that. Normally if Klein had something he wanted to say, he knew that Weiss didn't mind him simply speaking his mind. Especially because he had constantly proven that more than a few grey hairs took over his features with his age and instead he gained a lot of wisdom.

Now that Weiss was thinking about it, she couldn't think of a single time where Klein had requested something like that if it wasn't going to be something that really would get under Weiss' skin and make her feel worse. Like it was nothing more than a bitter pill she would have to swallow.

"I think after the incident a week ago, it shook her up just as much as you. That is why she finally agreed to this olive branch. So she can witness any lasting damage she had caused. As for the meal, the meat course as I'm sure you remember all your lessons, is the longest that would give the both of you the required nutrients only a proper meal could. Something for a week you both have been lacking despite my constant pleadings." The butler spoke with seemingly none of his manners being dropped because he couldn't forget who he was addressing.

"Okay..." Weiss spoke softly running a hand through her hair as she knew that she had to bring this up ultimately just to put her own mind at ease. "Klein... before you go, can I ask you a question?" Weiss asked as she could swear she could see some pain drifting onto the man's features. As if Weiss had somehow wounded him from simply asking that question. A feat that didn't really make much sense to her.

"Of course." Klein spoke taking a step closer into the room, just in case the walls suddenly decided to develop ears like he knew they had a tendency to. He just wanted to make whatever question had been burning in his employer's mind was as easy to ask it possibly could be.

Taking another deep breath Weiss just knew that she would need to ask it as is. "You don't think Yang and I are going to end up like my parents do you? Because I'm getting some nasty flashbacks to them doing this exact same thing with you and I don't want my marriage to be like theirs... I actually want it to be a healthy one." Weiss pleaded with the man who suddenly got a relieved look on his features.

"Your parents, I agree never had what anyone would be considered a healthy or even remotely happy marriage. You and Madam Xiao Long are simply in a rough patch. The simple fact that you both are so worried over each other is proof that it is healthy, and it will one day be happy again." As Klein stated that simple statement matter of factly, it just caused Weiss to deflate.

Weiss wasn't even sure why it had affected her so much, but here it was. It just seemed to hurt her deeply and there was nothing she could really do about it. There wasn't even anything that could be done. She knew that Yang shouldn't really forgive her for what she did to Yang and her dream, but Weiss knew that Yang shouldn't be tearing herself up because the accident. Because that was all that really was when it came to the hit.

"How can you be so sure about that Klein? Everything feels like it is falling apart, I mean I haven't even talked to my wife since she accidentally smacked my face and both my sister in law and father in law want to kill my wife." Weiss mumbled softly.

Smirking softly Klein began to take a few more steps into the room till he was in front of Weiss. Gently tilting her head up he just smiled at her. "Do you remember that one story I used to read to you when you were young? The lesson may be about the environment, but it also is true here. Unless you care an awful lot about something, everything is set in stone. But you both do care an awful lot about each other, so everything is up in the air right now. Just give it time." As Klein spoke Weiss just frowned slightly as she looked down. "Trust me Madam Schnee. Everything will turn out for the best for you."

"I wish I had your optimism Klein. I really do. I just don't think there is really a case that can be made for it." As Weiss spoke she just smiled faintly as she felt the reassuring hand being placed on the top of her shoulder just giving her a lot of needed comfort. Comfort that she wasn't sure why fully that she needed it so much, but here she was accepting that comfort.

"I shall go and inform Madam Xiao Long and the kitchen staff of the plans. In the meantime, please take some deep breaths and try and relax. I feel it will put Madam Xiao Long at ease which in turn will put you at ease."

Smiling a little as she watched the man walk towards the door out of the room before Weiss had to jump to speak her thanks. The man who had been seemingly jumping over himself backwards to patch something that really should be Weiss and Yang's doing.

With each step the man took, Weiss could feel the words dying in her throat further and further until she just had to bark them out in any sort of word salad and just hoped that the message would carry. It had to carry. That was the only thing that really mattered at this moment.

"Thank you Klein... for everything your doing."

"Thanks is not required." Klein said as she spun around on his heel before he just smiled at the white haired woman who seemed to have remained in the exact same spot sense he had entered the room. "I simply am doing what needs to be done for both you and Madam Xiao Long to be happy." Once he said his part, Klein proceeded to bow before he spun on his heel once more before he walked out of the room, making sure the doors were closed securely.

Sighing once more, Weiss couldn't believe she was becoming one of those women that her and Yang would often openly mock whenever they came up on the television or during some movie. Sighing in front of a fire after a spouse delivered a blow to their face. This was starting to become nothing but the punch line of a bad joke and she was just hoping the punch line would be worth all this build up.

At least she had been able to calm down Tai to come over here and enter a screaming match with Yang. Or worse him actually fighting Yang. She had never heard the man get so furious over something before, and she doubted that she would ever want to hear the same tone being used again but it was at least nice to know that there was another option she can go with if this dinner with Yang was to fail. Which she couldn't let that happen.

Not because she thought that Yang wouldn't be able to stand up to Tai, if anything it was the opposite. But because she refused to end up in a loveless marriage like her parents had. That was ultimately what mattered to Weiss. And she just had to trust that Klein knew what he was talking about given how he had been the only one Yang would open her door for, but he had also seen first hand as well exactly how bad Weiss' parents' marriage got.

She simply just had to trust Klein with one more thing, and hoped that this wasn't going to be the time that he was wrong. It was the only thing really getting her through this impasse. Even if she didn't ultimately want to rely on it, it really was what she needed. The longing she felt though for a safety net that was Tai and Ruby which she knew she could easily procure, but she wasn't sure how Tai or Ruby would react to Yang.

Tai at least she knew could be reigned in. At least partially. But Ruby was a different story. There was never anything she could do to stop Ruby from saying whatever was on her mind. Be it threat or even her following through on the threat.

Not to mention, she wasn't sure how Yang would take that kind of step towards her. And yet here she was, drifting closer to her phone with a single thought in her mind. 'At least if Ruby didn't screw things up with Blake... at least I'll have another person helping me reel in those two.'

"What is it you want to do Dad? We can't exactly kill Yang. At least you can't. I mean she is a cripple now and I think a woman. They'd give you the chair." Ruby joked softly as she could see her dad just shooting her a glare causing her to just shake her head lightly. "Yeah I know. You don't think it is the time for a joke, but the sentiment is true. What do you expect to be able to do? You can't really lift a finger to her because if it gets out, which it might just depending on how much we'd piss off Weiss. You'd be dragged to court and not in some petty divorce squabble, but actual criminal court."

Rolling his eyes at his daughter's comment, Tai stood up and just groaned slightly. "I know Ruby. Ignoring the fact I am a criminal lawyer and I know most judges in this district, but you know I can't exactly let this slide. You know how Summer would react."

"Crucifixion. At least that is what Mom always threatened me with if I ever became a woman abuser. Still not sure if she was joking." Ruby stated matter of factly as she could see her Dad stopping mid stride to look at her as if trying to judge her. "Seriously. She threatened to literally crucify me when I still trained and had a sort of history at school that she heard of rumours of me not particularly caring who or how many women I slept with."

Laughing softly, Blake gently covered her mouth as she could see the father daughter duo look towards her. "Nothing. I just remembered that rumour even making it to my school when we went to write an article for an actual newspaper pictures and all." Blake said as she reached for her phone seeing the flashing light out of the corner of her eyes. "And specifically how my mother gave me a lecture about how she'd kill me if I ended up with a woman like that or cheated on Ilia... pretty ironic huh." Blake continued ignoring the glare coming from Tai as she could hear Ruby chuckling.

"You had one job Blake... not get attracted by my wiles. Shame on you." Ruby joked as Tai just groaned vocally to get his youngest's attention. "Oh come on Dad. You have to admit that is kind of funny. Especially because Kali loves me. Has a thing for my ears though." Ruby said as Tai just glared at Ruby as Blake let out a laugh again.

"Two things, one my Mom doesn't have a thing for ears, just hates it when someone rolls their eyes which you and my father apparently did a lot. My parents have been happily married for years despite that. And two, if you promise to not freak out, I do have a way where you can have a conversation with Yang. Which doesn't include a screaming match or bad jokes Ruby." Blake said earning the attention of the room. "Apparently Yang finally agreed to come out of her room, and Weiss would feel better if we were there with her but doesn't want you two to gang up on Yang because she thinks Yang is just worried about what she accidentally did."

"We are go-" Tai began before Ruby quickly waved him off.

"Your Mom seriously doesn't have a thing for my ears? Then where does your facinatio-"

"Ruby, time and a place. Can you just promise not to make any sort of joke and just let things play out right now?"

"Fine... But I'll tell you the same thing I told Weiss back at the hospital, I'm not going to just lay down and accept any sort of bitching Yang has for me. If she starts something I'm just going to end it... or get into a cripple fight."

Sighing softly as she lowered her phone to stare at Ruby, Blake hoped the message was being carried over enough. Something that was made clear that it was when Ruby held up her hands in her defence. "I promise I'm not going to start anything. That is the best your going to get from me Blake." Ruby said as Blake sighed before she quickly hit send on the message as she dropped her phone into her lap.

"Well, at least that is done. Now can you stop pacing Tai? I'm getting dizzy and Ruby you could really use a shower. My nose is still killing me from the smell and I'd kill someone before I had to get in a car with you smelling like that."

"Fine... I feel gross anyways."

"How is any of this fair Klein!" Yang yelled as she spun around to just plop down into the chair as the butler came walking into the room once more, holding a selection of clothes being draped carefully on his arm. "I was perfectly happy. And even had everything I ever wanted. And now, I have nothing remaining of my dream I worked so hard for."

As the blonde spoke, the butler simply walked over towards the bed to start draping the various selections he had onto it, just letting her use him as the verbal lightning rod if it came to it, but he doubted that Yang would. He had never seen her being intentionally violent towards anyone that couldn't really defend themselves.

"If I may be frank Madam Xiao Long, nothing in life seems fair. Your father grew up in poverty and fought for everything he had until you and your sister. I was employed by Weiss' father for years before the hostile takeover. And even your sister knows the feeling you are describing. But look where everyone is now." Klein began as he quickly picked up the shirt before moving it over to a different outfit taking a few steps back to just envision how Yang would like it.

"Your Father has two daughters who mean the world to him, he even has a successful law practice he uses to exonerate prisoners. I am now employed to you and Madam Schnee spending my twilight years doing what I enjoy. Your sister from what I've been told but that might have changed since I last conversed with her, had a long lasting happy relationship before the demon alcohol affected Miss Belladonna." Klein spoke as he placed the final item down onto what he considered to be the final outfit he really needed.

Sighing softly, Yang just lowered her head into her hand as she watched the man work with the elegance that he always seemed to have when it came to these things. "I don't think this is going to be one of those times Klein. I mean I hit Weiss. And the worst part is... I did feel a lot better for what she did to me. I mean how would you take it if she fired you?"

"Accept it with a stiff upper lip, request a few extra days to get my affairs in order here, then start looking for another family who needs a butler. Just so I can maintain what I want to do with what remains of my time on the planet. And in those affairs, yes it would include me trying to process some of the emotions. But the end result would still be the same, and there would be nothing I could do that would change my current standing then." As Klein spoke he quickly walked towards being in front of Yang. "Onto a more serious note, your dinner outfits are placed out. I can't have the sleeves hemmed until you decide if you would rather a prosthetic or if you don't want one."

"I still don't know Klein."

"There is no rush. Take whatever time you require." Klein stated bowing his head slightly. "Now if that is all that you require of me, I should be off. The maids have requested my help while one of theirs is out sick." He continued as Yang just smiled at how he had the desire to constantly help.

"Thanks Klein. For everything. Talk included." Yang said standing up seeing the man just right himself.

"No thanks required."

Author's Note:

Look at that. More of the story... I'll catch you all next time.