Chapter 51

Raven had an awful weekend. Her frantic apologies were enough to convince Glynda to drive her home after the incident at the pool, but Glynda's anger barely cooled. That ride home was silent, and the situation got no better afterward. Raven was sent to sleep on the couch, as she would be for the entirety of the weekend. Then, instead of staying home to spend time with Raven as she usually did on weekends, Glynda went to the gym, claiming she needed to catch up on some paperwork. Raven knew that any attempts to spend the time with Summer would be poorly received by Glynda, and lacking other friends she spent the weekend at home, alone.

It was not as if the situation was totally unexpected. Raven knew she was on thin ice already. In the weeks since Winter had shown up and stolen Summer's heart, Raven had more than once gotten drunk and ended up bitching about the situation at length to Glynda. Looking back with the benefit of hindsight and sobriety, Raven could see how terrible it must have made Glynda feel, having to listen to the love of her life pining over another woman. At the outset of the relationship, Glynda had known that Raven's love for Summer remained undimmed, that she was not Raven's first choice, but Glynda loved her, and Raven did love Glynda. They were good for each other and happy together, and after a few years they could almost forget the unpleasant truth they worked so hard to bury. Now Raven was not only digging it up, she was throwing it in Glynda's face.

Raven arrived at work on Monday aching and sleep deprived, not to mention bad-tempered from a weekend of extreme boredom. She was always strict and stern in teaching her classes, but her frustrated outbursts only increased in frequency and intensity. It was not unprecedented - she had her good days and bad, just like everyone else - and most of her students took it in stride. Raven was just looking forward to getting the day over with so she could go home and maybe get some good rest, but there was one more lesson to teach, one about which Raven was almost enthusiastic.

Winter arrived, already wearing her gi, a towel over her shoulder and a water bottle in her hand. "Start warming up, you know what to do." Raven instructed. She began stretching herself as Winter tossed her towel and bottle aside and got started.

"I apologize for what happened at the pool." Winter apologized. "I feel like I antagonized you a bit and-"

"I don't wanna' talk about it." Raven cut her off. "Just do your stretches."

Raven finished her warm-up first and started pacing back and forth on the mat. After one last stretch Winter joined her, bowing as she took her place before Raven. Raven quickly bowed back. "So, what are we starting with?" Winter asked.

"Free-form mixed martial arts." Raven replied. "Unless you'd rather work on something else first."

"No, that's a good place to start." Winter agreed. "We'll find a weakness in my technique, then work on that."

"Start us off when you're ready." Raven instructed, taking a fighting stance.

Winter took a stance of her own. Raven still found Winter's movements unorthodox, surely the result of her prior training. She wanted to criticize her, but the stance was technically fine, just different. "Okay." Winter nodded. She stepped forward and punched at Raven. She knew it was likely to be her best shot for a good hit. Winter had improved her blocking to the point where she could avoid getting destroyed, but Raven's relentless onslaught rarely left room for counter attack.

Raven firmly blocked the strike and responded with a leg kick. Winter checked it and brought her hands up to successfully block the combination Raven unleashed next. It seemed a bit harder than usual, but nothing Winter could not handle. She tried to pull Raven into a clinch, but Raven pushed her away, throwing an elbow for good measure. Winter managed to duck out of the way. Blocking another wild combination with her hands, Winter managed to throw a low kick the caught Raven just right, tipping her off balance.

Winter pushed forward, grabbed Raven behind the legs and tipped her onto her back. Winter had never successfully taken Raven to the mat, and now entered uncharted territory. She had little training under Raven for the situation, and so fell back on what Ironwood had taught her. From her feet, Winter grabbed one of Raven's legs and dove into a punch at her face. Raven saw it coming a mile away and caught her arm. Like so many times before, Raven's legs lined up on either side of Winter's arm, pressing across her chest until Winter was slammed onto her back. Pulling Winter's arm straight and bucking her hips, Raven sunk in the armbar with all her might.

Snap!

Winter whimpered as Raven noticed the sudden drop in pressure in the hold. Looking down, Raven could see Winter's arm bent at a sickening angle. Winter's eyes bulged, staring at the twisted limb. They sat there in silence, Raven releasing the hold as Winter hyperventilated. Too shocked to say anything, they just stared as Winter's gi began to turn red, blood soaking into the cloth. Raven snapped out of the trance. "Lie on your side, arm out straight." She commanded, slowly lowering Winter's broken arm to the mat. "Don't move."

Raven sprung to her feet, racing to the desk near the entrance. She grabbed the phone and hit the speed dial for emergency services. With her free hand she grabbed her scroll and texted Glynda. Raven was in trouble and she knew it.

"I hope Raven warms to Winter." Summer sighed. "I want my best friend back."

"She will or she won't." Glynda grumbled.

"Come on, I'm sure-" Summer started.

Glynda's scroll beeped. She slipped it out of the desk drawer and slid it open. "Raven." She announced. "Shit."

"What is it?" Summer asked.

"Come now, emergency." Glynda read. She shook her head "I really hope this doesn't mean what I think it means." The pair got up and rushed out.

Raven hung up and reached for the desk drawer. She ripped it open, sending some of the lighter contents spilling to the floor. She spotted what she needed and grabbed it, a pair of scissors. She rushed back to Winter, who was still on the floor, biting her lip as tears filled her eyes. Each breath was accompanied by a barely audible whimper. "Hold still." Raven instructed. "Say something if I cut too far." Winter nodded as Raven slipped the end of the scissors into her sleeve. "You probably shouldn't look."

She cut up the gi's sleeve, to a point just past the injury and below Winter's elbow. Raven was relieved to see the injury was not quite as bad as she had feared. It looked as though both bones in Winter's forearm were broken, and one was just poking through the skin. Winter glanced at the injury, then quickly looked away. Raven noticed that Winter was biting her own lip hard enough to draw blood. She probably should have been screaming in agony. Raven had to admit, she was impressed.

"Okay Winter, you're doing great." Raven encouraged. "The ambulance will be here soon. I'm...I'm sorry I…"

The bell attached to the door chimed as Glynda and Summer burst in. "Oh my God!" Summer gasped. She rushed to Winter's side and gingerly embraced her, careful not to jostle her arm.

"Raven, what happened?" Glynda demanded.

Raven jumped to her feet, but slumped, hanging her head. "A-armbar."

"Did she tap?" Glynda asked.

"N-n...she didn't have a chance." Raven replied. "I...too hard."

"For the love of..." Glynda growled. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" Raven opened her mouth. "No, I don't want to hear it." She shoved Raven aside and knelt before Winter. "It's going to be alright." She turned back toward Raven. "Go wait out front, for the ambulance." Raven sheepishly nodded before rushing out. "I can't believe she would do something like this. I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault." Summer shook her head. "This is...I can't believe it either...Raven...what the hell…"

The ambulance arrived in minutes. Raven directed the paramedics inside, where they stabilized Winter's arm and loaded her onto a stretcher. Summer followed Winter into the ambulance, looking over her shoulder to glare at Raven one last time before the doors were closed and the ambulance rolled away. Before it could get more than a few meters Winter's blood-curdling scream pierced the air as she released all the pain she had been suppressing.

Raven and Glynda stood on the sidewalk as the ambulance drove away. "I'm going to meet them at the hospital." Glynda stated.

"I'll go too." Raven said.

"No, you won't." Glynda ordered. "You're going to stay here and keep an eye on the gym until closing. Then you're going home. I do not want to see you at the hospital. Understand?"

"Y-yes." Raven nodded. She remained standing there even after Glynda walked away.

After a few minutes Yang emerged from the gym. "Hey mom, what happened?"

"I...I broke Winter's arm." Raven answered. "Glynda's...she's pissed and…"

"Damnit...what the fuck?" Yang demanded. "I know you're pissed about her getting with Summer but come on."

"I-I know, I know, I really fucked up." Raven nodded. "I...I don't even know what I can do. I didn't want this, it was an accident, but it was still my fault and they're so angry...I'm in so much shit right now."

The hours seemed to stretch into an eternity as Raven sat at the desk, staring at the clock. It was pretty much all she had done since Glynda departed. Pyrrha had come by to talk to her. After being told about the situation by Yang, Pyrrha wanted to hear Raven's side of the story. Raven had not pulled any punches. She was angry and jealous, and broke Winter's arm. She had not done it intentionally, but she was ultimately responsible. Pyrrha had responded with obvious disappointment, but at least she had not been openly hostile.

Finally the clock ticked over and it was closing time. Raven locked the doors that needed locking, and ensured everyone was out. Then she headed home. She wanted to go to the hospital, to apologize, to try to salvage what she could of her relationship with Summer, but Glynda had specifically ordered her not to do so, and defying her now was a terrible idea. Glynda had the car, so Raven took a taxi home. When she arrived the light above the front door was on, and things almost seemed normal. As she walked toward the door, Raven could almost believe the situation was not as bad as she had feared, that it would all blow over.

When Raven opened the door her hopes were dashed. "You'll want to make sure the taxi doesn't leave." Glynda advised from her position on a chair, facing the door. Her face was contorted with rage, and she somehow looked angrier than she had earlier. A trio of large suitcases stood between them, the implications clear. "If I forgot anything, let me know and I'll bring it to you at work."

"Glynda I...please don't do this." Raven begged. She pushed past the suitcases, dropping to her hands and knees before Glynda as tears streamed down her face. "I'm sorry! I'll do anything you want! Please don't make me go. I love-"

"I don't want to hear it." Glynda cut her off, coldly staring Raven down. "Take the bags and go. And I mean go. I don't want to see you around here again. We're done."

"Please I...I love you." Raven struggled.

"You made it pretty clear who you really love." Glynda growled. "And it's not me. I'm tired of being second prize. I'm sick of hearing you bitch about how Summer doesn't love you back. I'm sick of your jealousy. Now go."

"Glynda, please." Raven whimpered. She was answered by a sharp point toward the door. Slumping, Raven stood, collecting her bags and dragging them toward the entrance. Hazarding a glance back, she was met by an icy glare, and as she shut the door, it finally started to sink in. There would be no forgiveness, not this time.

Raven's taxi had departed by the time she got outside. She could have called another, but with her luggage and uncertainty over where to go, that was not a good option. She still had her keys, and her car was parked right there. But it was not her car. The paperwork said Glynda owned it, and she had certainly paid for it. Taking it, even with the intention of returning it, would surely not improve Glynda's mood, but Raven decided it did not matter. As far as Raven could tell, the relationship was over anyway. She would take the car, for now, and if Glynda wanted it back, she would give it back.

Raven loaded her bags into the car, got behind the wheel and drove off. She was not sure where she was going other than "away." She considered heading to the gym, but she could not bring herself to go back there so soon after what had happened. Summer's home was another choice. Summer would not be there to be angry at her, as she was still likely at the hospital with Winter, but Yang would be there, and she was similarly angry. The final possibility was potentially the most painful - the hospital. Raven wanted to apologize to Winter, and to Summer, even if they did not want to hear it. Plus, even if Summer hated her now, and Raven was pretty sure she did, she was still Raven's best friend, her rock, her lifeline.

Raven sat in her car in the hospital parking lot for a while, struggling to work up the courage to head inside. Winter had not been taken to the same hospital as Yang, but to a smaller facility nearer the gym. It was where Raven had given birth to Yang, and where Summer had given birth to Ruby. Those happy memories were not enough to lift Raven's spirits. She exited the car and headed inside. After a brief stop at the reception desk, she headed up to Winter's room.

Raven stood outside the door, chewing on her lip. She peered inside to see Winter dozing, with Summer at her side, holding her hand. Her injured arm was wrapped up and partially obscured by her blanket. Raven took a deep breath and reached for the door handle. As she opened the door, Summer's gaze snapped to her, quickly morphing into an angry glare. Raven knew she deserved it. Summer would have been justified if she leapt up and attacked Raven, but she just sat there. "S-Summer-"

"What are you doing here?" Summer demanded.

"I...Glynda...she kicked me out...I...I didn't know where else to go." Raven struggled.

"What makes you think we want you here?" Summer raised her voice.

The sound, and Summer's tightening grip, roused Winter. She took a moment to shake off the cobwebs before squeezing Summer's hand. "Summer, please calm down."

"She broke your arm." Summer growled.

"I know, and it hurt a lot." Winter nodded. "She clearly came here for a reason though. Raven?"

"I...I'm s-sorry." Raven stammered. "I had to apologize-"

"I don't want your apology." Summer hissed.

"Summer." Winter cut in. Summer sighed. "May I speak with Raven, in private?"

Summer looked to Winter, who smiled at her. "I...fine." Summer stood, returning her glare to Raven, who shrunk under its intensity. "Do you want anything from the vending machine?"

"Gummy bears." Winter replied. "Oh, not the sugar free ones. Never the sugar free ones."

"Okay Nora." Summer could not quite stifle a chuckle. She brushed past Raven to leave the room.

"W-Winter, I'm so sorry." Raven pleaded. "What I did was terrible and-"

"Apology accepted." Winter smiled.

"Wh-wha?" Raven was taken aback. "That's it?"

"That's it." Winter nodded.

"No yelling, nothing?" Raven persisted.

"No." Winter shook her head. "You messed up. We all mess up. Some mistakes are bigger than others. But you're very clearly sorry, or you wouldn't be here, begging for my forgiveness."

"What painkillers do they have you on?" Raven asked.

"Morphine, but the dose they gave me when I got here is starting to wear off." Winter replied. "I assure you, I'm thinking clearly."

"Well uh...I really wasn't expecting this." Raven struggled. "I guess...I guess I'll get going."

"Hold on." Winter said. "I was half asleep, but didn't you say Glynda kicked you out?" Raven nodded. "Where will you go?"

"I guess I'll get a hotel, at least until I figure out what to do." Raven answered.

"Come stay with us." Winter offered.

"I couldn't...Summer wouldn't allow it." Raven refused.

"She'll allow it." Winter insisted. "Just let me talk to her."

"No, I should just stay at a hotel." Raven shook her head.

"I'll buy the hotel and comp you a room." Winter smirked.

"I...please, I don't want to be a mooch, not again." Raven persisted.

"Then you can be our maid." Winter suggested. "It's been years since I've had one, and I've missed being waited on."

"What, and I'll wear a slutty outfit too?" Raven scoffed.

"Sure, if that's your thing." Winter rolled with it. "I had something else in mind though."

"You're a real piece of work." Raven noted. "I beat the shit out of you - repeatedly - and break your arm, and you're offering me a job and a place to live."

"Yep." Winter nodded.

"Fine, I'll do it, for now." Raven relented.

"You should probably go before Summer gets back." Winter advised. "That'll give me some time to smooth things over."

Raven smiled and nodded, then turned to leave. She stopped at the door and turned back. "Winter, thank you."

"Anything for a friend." Winter responded.

Friend. Raven had certainly not treated Winter like a friend. No, she had treated her like an enemy, an adversary to be defeated. How could she have gotten it so wrong? No, not now. It was not the time to look a gift horse in the mouth. Raven departed, feeling at once better and worse than when she had arrived. No wonder Winter had stolen Summer's heart, she was perfect, absolutely perfect. A few hours before, Raven would have been infuriated by such a conclusion, but now it just made her smile, and cry.