A New Life Pt. 2

Ren managed to catch up to Nora. Though she had boundless energy she was not a particularly fast runner. Pregnancy only slowed her further. Ren had she and Torchwick hang back while he handled the situation. When he arrived he found Emerald still sitting on the floor, sobbing. Neo was beside her, doing the best she could to console the crying girl. "Neo, Emerald." Ren said softly.

"I can't get her to calm down." Neo signed.

"I don't sign." Ren said. "But I read lips." Neo repeated her statement, this time mouthing the words. "I think I can help."

"What's wrong with her?" Neo asked.

"When we defeated Cinder, she and Cinder's other retainer, Mercury, surrendered." Ren explained. "Nora...well...when Nora got through with him there wasn't much Mercury left. The trauma of witnessing that seems to have stayed with her."

"What can we do?" Neo asked.

"Emerald, she's gone." Ren said, a minor lie given that Nora was waiting just a few rooms away. "She won't hurt you."

"I...I...I...okay." Emerald stammered. She kept shaking.

"Is this the first time this has happened?" Ren asked.

"No." Neo replied. "She has shaking episodes, and she's easily startled. She has nightmares too."

"Hmm...it probably stems from the trauma." Ren suggested. "It won't be easy, but I think we can get her past it."

"What about right now?" Neo pressed.

"I'll brew a potion that should help calm her down." Ren answered. "Just get her to a quiet and comfortable place."

As much as Yang would have preferred to spend her time with Weiss and Blake, they were far too busy to give her much attention. They had an empire to run and the fallout from a catastrophic war to clean up. So Yang spent most of her time at her inn. Not only was bartending lucrative, it was fun. It was just another night behind the bar and the place was starting to get busy. Neo and Emerald were quickly becoming huge draws, their performance bringing in crowds beyond Yang's wildest dreams.

The door opened and Yang peered over the milling crowd to see the new arrivals. "Emmy, Neo, you're back!" She cheered. But they were not alone. "Ren!" Yang leapt over the bar and pushed through the crowd to meet them. She pulled Emerald and Neo into a tight hug, actually lifting them off the ground in the process, before planting kisses on their cheeks and letting them go. Yang wrapped Ren in a much more gentle embrace. "It's so good to see you!"

"It's always a pleasure." Ren said.

"Where's Nora?" Yang asked, looking around. "Did she wander off? How's your honeymoon going?"

"She's back at the palace for now." Ren replied. "Yang, we need to discuss something important."

"Is everything okay?" Yang gasped. "Is Nora okay?"

"Nora's fine Yang, don't worry." Ren assured her. "It's Emerald."

"Emmy?" Yang said. "Emmy, what's wrong? Did something happen?"

"I didn't want to worry you Yang." Emerald sighed. "I thought I was getting better."

"We'll do our performance while you talk it over with Ren." Neo signed. "We'll join you afterwards."

Yang hugged Emerald and Neo before heading to the back room Yang used as an office. Neo and Emerald headed into their changing room to prepare for their show. Neo was quickly able to don her outfit. There was not much to it after all, just enough to make her decent and accentuate the movements of her dance. Emerald's gown was a bit more elaborate and took more time. As Emerald put the finishing touches on it Neo hugged her from behind. "I'm okay Neo." Emerald said. "I'll feel better after performing, alright?"

Neo nodded against Emerald's back and released her. Hand-in-hand they stepped to the stage. Emerald took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and began her song. Neo began dancing, slowly at first, then building and building until she was almost in a frenzy as the song reached its climax. Then, the song was over. Neo finished with a flourish as Emerald caught her breath. The crowd cheered, only quieting down as the next song began.

After performing for a few hours, with only a brief intermission in the middle, Neo and Emerald were spent. They returned to the dressing room to change, looking forward to returning to the palace for a good night's sleep. As they were finishing up there was a knock at the door.

"It's me." Yang called.

"Come in." Emerald said.

Yang entered and rushed to Emerald, wrapping her in a crushing embrace. "I wish you told me sooner Emmy." Yang said. "We could have gotten you help."

"I'm sorry Yang." Emerald sighed.

"Don't apologize." Yang said. "It's not your fault. And don't worry, Ren's good at this stuff and we came up with a plan."

"What kind of plan?" Emerald asked.

"It'll be a bit scary, but it's pretty simple." Yang explained. "Nora seems to be the root of your trauma, so we're going to get you used to Nora."

"Y-Yang...I...I don't th-think that'll work." Emerald stammered.

"Emmy...Emerald." Yang said, taking her by the shoulders and looking her in the eyes. "Do you trust me?"

"Y-yeah?" Emerald said.

"Then come with me." Yang said. "And I promise, if you really want out, you can leave at any time. We just want to show you what we have planned." Emerald looked to Neo. Neo took her hand and smiled. Emerald took a deep breath and nodded. "Good, come with me."

Emerald followed Yang into her office, Neo holding her hand all the way. Yang directed them to enter before slipping in and closing the door behind them. On the far side of the room, Nora sat in a chair facing the door. Emerald gasped and jumped back, but Yang caught her. "Don't worry, she's tied up." Yang encouraged. Emerald looked closer and sure enough, ropes were wrapped around Nora and the chair. "She couldn't hurt you if she wanted to."

"B-but…" Emerald started to protest. "I...I…"

"Ren, I'm hungry." Nora complained. Ren patted her on the shoulder.

"What's this all about?" Neo signed. "Are we just supposed to hang out here? I don't think this will help."

"Of course there's more to it." Yang said. "Here Emmy." She handed Emerald a chocolate bar. "Nora's hungry. Feed her."

Emerald looked at the chocolate, then at Nora, then at Yang. "Wh-what?" She gasped. "I...I can't. I...I'd have to g-get close to her."

"She won't hurt you." Yang said. "Just give put the chocolate bar in her mouth." Yang put a hand on Emerald's shoulder. "If you can do that, you'll see she's nothing to be afraid of."

"You're treating Nora like an animal in a zoo." Neo signed.

"She doesn't mind, she gets free candy." Yang shrugged. "Ren doesn't usually let her have sweets."

"She's hyper enough without them." Ren explained.

"But they taste so good." Nora complained.

"Come on Emmy, feed Nora." Yang encouraged. "There's nothing to be afraid of."

Emerald inched forward, every step more difficult than the last. Nora chatted excitedly with Ren about this and that, as if the others were not even there and she was not tied up. Only a few meters away it was too much for Emerald. She froze in place. "I...I...can't g-get any closer." She stammered.

Neo stepped forward and took Emerald's free hand. Emerald looked to her and Neo smiled. "You can do it." Neo mouthed. "I know you can."

Emerald took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and took a few shaky steps forward. When she opened her eyes again Nora was just inches away, smiling up at her. Emerald held up the chocolate bar with a shaking hand. Nora opened her mouth. "Ah." Nora said. Emerald slowly stretched out her hand, placing the chocolate on Nora's outstretched tongue. Emerald quickly drew her hand back and the chocolate started to fall off Nora's tongue as she struggled to control it. It slipped off and fell, but Nora reached up and caught it, the ropes that had surrounded her loosely falling away. "Oops."

Emerald screamed and backed away until Yang grabbed her. "She's...h-have to...run!" Emerald yelled. "Sh-she'll crush me!"

"Emmy, look at me." Yang said, locking her gaze on Emerald's eyes. "She's been free this whole time and she didn't hurt you. She doesn't want to hurt you. She'll never want to hurt you. You don't need to be afraid of her. She agreed to sit here and do this because it hurts her that she's the reason you're scared. You don't need to be afraid of anything from your old life anymore. You're safe here with us. I promise. I swear on my life!" Yang shifted Emerald into an embrace and Neo joined it from the side.

"I...I'm really sorry...sorry I made you afraid." Nora sighed. Emerald turned around to see Nora still seated there, her eyes downcast. "I've never been...good at handling things. There's something wrong with my head…"

"Nora you're…" Ren cut in.

"Ren never wants to put it like that but I know it's the truth." Nora cut him off. "I'm not right Emerald. I'm not sick, but I'm not healthy. So sometimes I slip up, I get confused or I get scared, or I get angry and I overreact."

"Nora…" Emerald sighed.

"Mercury...he said such horrible things." Nora continued. "He made me angry. He threatened my friends and that made me scared. So when I killed him...I didn't just want to kill him...I wanted him totally gone. I wanted him to never be able to hurt me or my friends, and the only way I could figure out was to make sure there was nothing left of him. I know it's wrong, I knew it was wrong when I was doing it. I know it's sick and I know I scared you, and I'm sorry Emerald, I really am. I don't want people to be scared of me. I just...I want to protect my friends, my family, and sometimes I lose control."

Emerald slowly relaxed in Yang's arms, staring wide-eyed at Nora. Then, all at once, she slumped as a wave of fatigue washed over her. Had Yang not held her up, she likely would have collapsed to the floor. "I-I'm...tired." Emerald said. "C-can I go to bed now?"

"Sure Emmy, come on." Yang said. She scooped Emerald up into her arms. "You and Neo can spend the night here, free of charge."

"W-won't we get in trouble?" Emerald asked. She and Neo were supposed to return to the palace at the conclusion of their performance.

"It'll be fine." Yang replied. "Ren will let them know what's going on when he heads back."

"Oh...thanks." Emerald said.

"Not a problem." Ren said.

Yang smiled at Nora, the redhead smiling back, before carrying Emerald off with Neo in tow. Emerald remained silent the whole way as Yang carried her to one of the fancier rooms at the inn. Yang laid Emerald down on the bed and handed the room key to Neo before leaving. "Goodnight." Yang said as she walked away.

Emerald mumbled something inaudible then sat on the edge of the bed. "Neo…" She said. Neo stood before her. Though Emerald was seated Neo was only a little taller than her. Emerald reached out and the pair embraced. "I can never thank you enough Neo, for everything. You've been kinder to me than I deserved, and more patient than you should have needed...and I…" Emerald pulled back to gaze into Neo's eyes, her own filled with tears. "I love you Neo."

Neo grinned and cupped Emerald's face, then leaned in and kissed her.

As morning sunlight streamed in through the window, Emerald and Neo woke up in each other's arms. After their kiss they had snuggled, enjoying one another's warmth until they fell asleep. Waking up in an embrace, it was a great feeling. After making themselves presentable they headed down to see Yang, Neo handing over the room key. Yang invited them to breakfast and they eagerly agreed, the three sitting together in a private room to enjoy the meal cooked by Yang's world-class chefs.

"Yang, where's Nora?" Emerald asked.

"She and Ren are back at the palace." Yang replied. "Ren is helping Weiss and Blakey with something special." Yang smiled excitedly as she said it, but Emerald and Neo could not figure out why.

"I'm going to try to talk to Nora...by myself." Emerald declared.

"You think you're ready?" Yang asked.

"Only one way to find out." Emerald sighed. "I don't want to let this control me. And thank you for last night Yang. It really did help."

Yang reached over and pulled Emerald into a hug. "Anytime Emmy." Yang said. "Always."

After breakfast Emerald and Neo headed back to the palace. After asking around a bit they were directed to Blake's private garden where Nora was relaxing. It was a bit of a walk to get there, and Emerald's nerves began to build. By the time they reached it she was shaking. Emerald took Neo's hand and turned to her. "Wish me luck?" She asked.

Neo got up on her tiptoes and stretched to kiss Emerald, squeezing her hand before letting go. "Good luck." She signed.

Emerald took a deep breath and stepped into the garden, leaving Neo waiting at the entrance. She moved slowly, as she had the night before, each step a battle, but each step one closer to her goal, closer to healing. Nora sat cross-legged on the ground beside a little pond, watching a family of ducks, entirely oblivious to Emerald's approach. Emerald stopped a short distance away. There was no reason to risk startling Nora. "N-Nora." She said softly.

Nora stiffened and glanced over her shoulder. At the sight of Emerald she relaxed, then slowly turned to face her while remaining seated. "Morning Emerald." Nora said. "Are...are you okay?"

"Y-yeah." Emerald replied. "I...I think so."

Emerald took another step forward and Nora smiled. "Do you like the garden?" Nora asked. "Not many people get to see it. I think it's kind of sad. Something this beautiful should be shared with everyone."

"It's...peaceful." Emerald said. "I like the p-pink blossoms."

Emerald took another step. Nora looked away from her, turning her gaze to the tree that Emerald was referring to. "That's a cherry tree." Nora said. "I like 'em 'cuz they remind me of Ren's eyes. Do they...remind you of Neo?"

Emerald looked back at the blossoms and smiled. She took another step, standing right beside Nora. "Yeah, they do." She answered. "They smell like her too."

Nora giggled. Emerald glanced over at Neo who waved from her spot across the garden. "She's kind of like Ren you know." Nora laughed. "He doesn't talk much, but he listens to everything. And he helps me too. He's helped me so much. I love him with all my heart." Nora slowly laid down on her back, resting one arm behind her head, the other rubbing her slightly swollen belly.

"I...I feel the same way about Neo." Emerald declared. Emerald sat, first facing the pond before slowly turning to face Nora. She looked at Nora's belly and smiled.

"A few months." Nora said, noticing Emerald's focus. "I'm so excited! Wanna' feel?"

"Uh...um...I…" Emerald struggled.

"It's alright if you don't." Nora said. "It's just, it's cool, you know, new life and all that? After the war, after so much death, it feels really good to give something back. I want to give a lot back, and I want to give them a good live, be the best mama possible." Emerald slowly lifted her hand, carefully moving it towards Nora's belly as Nora remained perfectly still. Emerald gently laid her hand on Nora's stomach, feeling the bump. "It tickles." Nora giggled.

"Oops." Emerald said. She smirked and fluttered her fingers, eliciting another giggle from Nora, then a cackle. Finally Nora placed her hand over Emerald's to stop her. Emerald tensed up, her heart beating faster, but one look at Nora's gentle smile calmed her down. She relaxed and smiled back. "You big softy."

"You tickled my boop bump, meanie!" Nora laughed. Emerald snorted and laughed along with her.

Emerald and Nora relaxed in the garden for a while longer. Neo eventually came over and joined them, and they remained there conversing until Yang arrived with some food at lunch time. They ate in the garden before heading to the palace baths. They were not as large and luxurious as the baths in Nikopolis, but they were still befitting of a royal palace.

Nora did not even bother donning a towel for the walk from the changing room to the water. "CANNONBA...ugh!" Nora shouted as Yang grabbed her around the waist. "Aw…"

"Spas are for sparring, not balling." Yang admonished.

"That doesn't even make sense." Emerald observed.

"Eh, she gets it." Yang shrugged, still holding Nora back. "Don't you, little cannonball?"

"Fine." Nora sighed. "Haha, I can feel your boobs."

Yang grumbled before lifting Nora up and dumping her in the water. Nora thrashed about for a few seconds before spitting out water and giggling. She slid over to the edge and relaxed. Yang slung her towel around and draped it around her neck before getting in the water and sitting beside Nora, resting her arms on the rim. Neo let her towel drop as she stepped in. She sat, the water climbing over her nose as she settled in. She craned her neck to clear the water. Emerald also let her towel drop but was careful to keep herself covered with her arms until she was submerged. Emerald made a conscious but failing effort to not stare at Yang's breasts, though Neo made no attempt to hide it at all.

"Oh, Neo, I didn't realize." Yang laughed. She stood and reached away from the water, grabbing a stool and handing it to Neo. Neo placed it beneath her, and sitting upon it her head was just barely above water, well, most of it. She blew some bubbles in thanks.

Nora leaned against Yang. "Doesn't this bring back memories?" Nora asked.

"And ideas." Yang smirked. They both giggled and Nora snuggled up against Yang.

"Have you no shame?" Emerald asked.

"Hmm, nope!" Nora replied. "None at all."

"It's kind of our thing, you know?" Yang laughed.

"Did Yang tell you she was our wedding present?" Nora asked.

Neo perked up, her change in posture pushing her out of the water to her shoulders, an intrigued look on her face. "What?" Emerald gasped.

"Blakey's idea." Yang explained. "Weiss was planning to give Ren and Nora some land or something, but what the hell would Nora do with land?"

"Build a big water slide." Nora replied.

"Damn, that actually would have been really awesome." Yang sighed.

"Don't worry, we got enough land from Qrow." Nora said. "I already drew up the plans! Our little night of fun won't get in the way of my dreams!"

"Wait...you mean…" Emerald started.

"Wedding threesome!" Nora confirmed.

Neo gave two thumbs up. "Isn't that...inappropriate?" Emerald asked, a look of shock on her face.

"Nah, Yang is like a sister to me." Nora answered.

"That only raises more questions!" Emerald exclaimed.

"Eh, the night is weird and full of sex." Yang shrugged.

"So you were just...given to them...like…" Emerald started.

"Like a present." Nora finished for her. "She had a bow and everything!"

"Blakey tied it." Yang said.

"And everyone was just...okay with that?" Emerald asked.

"Weiss seemed to get off to the whole treating me like an object thing." Yang said. "It was hot."

"And I thought my books were weird." Emerald shook her head.

"Oh, like Blakey's books?" Nora asked. "You two have to hang out someday."

Neo shook her head rapidly, sliding her stool over and clinging to Emerald. "Aw, don't worry Neo." Yang said. "She's gotten a lot better since the whole tying you up angrily thing. I'll get her to apologize to you."

Neo sunk under the water a bit, blowing bubbles in retort. "N-Neo, watch where you put your ha-AH!" Emerald shrieked. Emerald shuffled away as Neo grinned mischievously.

"Aw, what did naughty Neo do?" Yang laughed.

Neo winked and Yang who grinned back. "I'm surrounded by perverts!" Emerald shouted.

"One of us!" Nora chanted. "One of us!"

"Hey Nora, why don't we go join Ren?" Yang suggested. "You know, leave the lovebirds to relax."

"Y-you don't have to." Emerald stammered.

"Oh, I think we do." Yang smirked. "Neo, play nice."

Yang stood, taking Nora's hand and pulling her along. They passed by Neo, Yang ruffling her multicolored hair as she passed. Yang and Nora left, locking the door behind them. Neo stood and slowly approached Emerald. "You're beautiful Emerald." Neo signed.

Emerald shook her head. "You're beautiful." She said. "Yang is beautiful and Nora is beautiful. Me? I'm...just...average…"

Neo smiled and shook her head, sitting in Emerald's lap. She leaned toward Emerald's ear, breathing in. "You're wrong Emerald." Neo mouthed. Forcing air out she was almost able to speak, producing a broken, raspy whisper. She breathed in again. "I love you." She took another breath, the deepest yet. "And you're beautiful to me."

Emerald gasped, tears filling her eyes. She pulled back to look Neo in the eyes. "I...I love you too, Neo." Emerald declared. Neo smiled and they embraced, kissing passionately as they sunk into the warm water.