Chapter 60

Yang hammered steady rhythm into the punching bag, hyper aware of the dull, blunt impacts on her right side, more so than her left. It was such an alien feeling, like her arm was numb from the elbow down. She had almost gotten used to it, but now she had begun her strength training again, and the difference was staggering. Still, it felt good to be back in the saddle again, and unlike her first painful attempt at celebratory punching, her target crumpled beneath her fists safely but satisfyingly. Her metal fist even made a nice clacking sound when impacting the leather. That was cool, cyborg Yang, slayer of bags.

"Yang!" Pyrrha called.

"Huh?" Yang responded. She turned to find Pyrrha standing beside her, arms crossed, with a frown on her face.

"I called you twice." Pyrrha noted.

"Oh, sorry Pyr, got into it, ya' know?" Yang apologized. "What's up?"

"You're being careful, aren't you?" Pyrrha pressed. "How is the arm feeling? Any aches or pains? Strange noises?"

"I'm fine, I promise." Yang replied. "Nothing hurts. C'mere." Reaching out, she pulled Pyrrha into a hug.

Pyrrha grimaced but did not pull away. "You smell."

"You love it." Yang smirked.

"Mngh...Glynda wants to speak with you." Pyrrha informed her.

"Does she now?" Yang asked.

"Yes, and I know you're still unhappy with her, but that's done with." Pyrrha nodded. "So go talk to her and be nice. She's still our boss."

"Fine, but after you should come shower with me." Yang suggested.

"I'll think about it." Pyrrha rolled her eyes. "Now shoo."

Sufficiently shooed, Yang toweled herself off and made her way to Glynda's office. She was not exactly unhappy with Glynda. She understood the situation perfectly fine, Glynda had relapsed into one bad habit to cope with the absence of her life partner, and all the stresses that induced. More than anything, Yang was disappointed and shocked. Glynda had always seemed infallible, a strong, no nonsense, professional businesswoman with a will of iron. Even when she opened up to Yang about her past, it was just another example of her character. Seeing Glynda drunk, angry, jealous and miserable was a large blow to that image, seeing her smoking had shattered it. Yang had been angry, she had wanted to express that, to write so many things on her note, but nothing felt right at the time, so she kept is simple and continued with her day.

Of course she told Raven, and gave her the push she needed to fix things, but it all still left a weird feeling in her stomach. She was not really angry anymore, just let down. She expected better from Glynda, expected her of all people to remain strong. Raven was not a stable, nor reliable parental figure. Taiyang was not around to bother addressing, but at least he taught Yang how to throw, and take, a punch. Summer was a beautiful, kind soul who had done her best to raise Yang and Ruby to be just as beautiful and kind...but even she carried confidence issues, emotional scarring from her divorce. At a young age, Yang had witnessed her falter and fall, recovering through the combined support of Yang, Raven and of course Glynda. It seemed in this day and age everyone was broken in some way.

Taking a deep breath, Yang knocked on Glynda's office door. "Yang?" Glynda asked from inside.

Yang peeked in, Glynda looked at her from the desk and smiled. "Hey Glyn."

"Please, come in." Glynda invited. "How is your training coming along?"

"Pretty good." Yang answered as she sat down. "It only aches after a long session."

"Good, good…" Glynda nodded.

"How have things been at home?" Yang asked.

"Also good." Glynda replied. "Raven has...certainly embraced her newfound passion for housework."

"It was weird watching her fold my socks, and my underwear, and Pyrrha's underwear." Yang laughed.

Glynda chuckled along with her. "It's about time she learned to fold socks properly."

"Honestly, she's been around you and Summer for ages and she never bothered to look at how you did it?" Yang added.

"She never saw the point." Glynda noted. "They're small and go in the same drawer, but who's buying six new pairs at the flea markets next month? I am, because I love her, she's an idiot and I'm an idiot for loving her, so we're perfect together." Glynda threw her hands up and sighed.

Yang chuckled. Yeah, they were. "So you two are going well? You've talked about...everything?"

Glynda nodded. Swiveling in her chair, she began rooting around in her desk drawer. "We talked a little, then we talked some more, and recently we had a bit of a bigger talk, where we got some heavier subjects out of the way." She pulled out a small bottle of whiskey, two shot glasses and a lighter, that lighter. "I know you gave this back to make a statement. You got that habit from your mother." She half smiled, half grimaced. "But I don't want it Yang. I gave it to you because I care about you, because having it away from me feels healthier. I don't care if you lock it away somewhere and never look at it again, just please, accept it back." Glynda held the object out, its tarnished surface glinting in the light.

Yang stared at the lighter for a moment before reaching out to take it. "What's so special about this lighter?"

"It was given to me by one of the few people in my life who didn't judge me when I was young." Glynda answered. "Except for the fact that I used disposable lighters."

"Sounds like an enabler." Yang noted.

"Maybe." Glynda chuckled. "But she helped me find my way in the end."

"What was her name?" Yang asked.

"Evelynn." Glynda replied, a fond smile on her face. "She was a bitch, a sadist to the core, and a mean drunk. Hated men, used to channel it into her work. Told me to make something of myself, too smart to stay at her level. It took me a few more years, but eventually I listened. And I've never looked back."

"You've lived a hell of a life." Yang smirked. "What's next, met a hobo with a heart of gold?"

"Her name was Toto." Glynda deadpanned before they both burst into laughter.

"So...what's this for?" Yang asked, indicating the whiskey and glasses.

"There was something else I wanted to discuss with you." Glynda explained. "Something more important. It's about this business, and our future."

"Our future?" Yang raised a curious eyebrow.

"You're a part of this business, Yang, and I hope you'll continue to be for quite some time." Glynda declared.

"I don't have any other plans." Yang shrugged.

"I do." Glynda noted. "I have for quite a long time."

"And I'm part of them?" Yang asked.

"Yes, though in what way depends on you." Glynda confirmed. "Winter tells me you're considering investing a portion of your settlement."

"It seemed like a smart idea." Yang said.

"Then I have a proposal for you." Glynda chose the moment to turn the computer monitor to face Yang, the real estate page once again on the screen. "I want to expand into a second location. The building itself is two million. I've saved a little over half that. If you could provide the rest, or buy the building outright, I can take out a business loan to renovate and outfit it...and make you the owner and manager." Yang stared, at the image on the screen, the price tag, and the nervous look on Glynda's face. "I realize it may come off as opportunistic of me. You come into a large sum of money and eventually someone comes to you asking for some. I don't want you to feel obligated to agree. Winter has offered to invest herself. She's funding an overhaul of this location already."

"You want me to be your business partner?" Yang asked.

"I do." Glynda nodded.

"I don't really know much about business Glynda." Yang warned.

"Pyrrha does." Glynda suggested. "I'd intended for the both of you to take charge. Originally she was to have taken over here while I headed to the new gym, but this way works just as well, if not better. Nora and Ren would also work for you, as long as they're comfortable changing locations."

Yang nodded, pausing in thought. "How much for the renovations and outfitting?"

"Originally the estimate was around three million, but with Winter's contacts it's likely around two and a half." Glynda replied.

"So, four and a half, minus one point two...three point three million." Yang thought aloud. "Glynda, I don't know about managing the place, but I'd be happy to put my money into something worthwhile. Screw the loan, I'll pay the rest too."

Glynda blinked, several times, opening her mouth, but choking on her words. "A-are you sure? This is a very big amount of money Yang. I don't need that much-"

"It's just gonna' sit there doing nothing otherwise, and a loan would just put you in debt." Yang noted. "What's the point? One condition though."

"Name it." Glynda said.

"I get to choose the style." Yang responded.

"Fine, sure, that's fine...fuck...you're really sure?" Glynda asked again, shakily.

"Yeah, yeah I am." Yang insisted. "I never really thought about it before but I love this gym. Making it a bigger thing will be awesome, and owning it? That's just the icing on the cake." Glynda laughed and choked, covering her mouth with her hand as her eyes watered. "You okay Glyn?"

"Hmm...it's just...I've been planning this for twelve years and now it's just...it's gonna' happen...just...like that." Glynda managed.

"Glyn...you're gonna' make me cry." Yang half joked.

Glynda hid her face with her hands and shook her head, laughing. "I know, I know, I'm sorry I just…" She took a deep, shuddery breath. "Thank you Yang, this is a weight off my shoulders." She picked up the whiskey bottle and unscrewed the cap. She hesitated, glancing at the shot glasses before grinning and taking a swig directly from the bottle. "Ah, to partnership!" She cheered, holding the bottle towards Yang.

Yang took the bottle, chuckling. "To the family business!" Yang toasted, taking a swig of her own, and choking. "Fuck! What is this stuff?!"

"Domme grade whiskey." Glynda smirked. "Ev' used to distill it herself and sell it on the side." She took the bottle back, giving the faded label a fond smile before putting it back in its drawer, followed by the unused glasses.

"Used to?" Yang asked.

Glynda's smile faded a little. "Liquor, smoking and anger can only last so long. At least she died doing what she loved."

"Beating up a guy?" Yang suggested.

"If only." Glynda chuckled. "Lung cancer, inoperable. So she drank herself to death first. It was a few years ago."

"Damn, fuck cancer." Yang sighed.

Glynda nodded. "Yes, fuck cancer indeed.

Weiss clutched the armrest as the plane descended into the dense layer of clouds below. She had managed to sleep for most of the flight, with some medicinal help, but the pilot's announcement of their impending landing had awoken her. She really, really wished it had not. From above, the clouds looked foreboding. Once inside them, the situation proved even worse. Snow rushed past the window and splattered on the surface of the plane. Weiss was painfully aware of the dangers such weather could pose. Ice on the wings had been a contributing factor in the crash that claimed the lives of her parents. Now it looked as though the aircraft was descending into a blizzard.

On the ground, the weather did not look so bad. Fluffy snow fell lightly, meandering its way to the ground, where it was just beginning to stick. The clouds did look dark and threatening, but that was more due to the fact that it was almost sunset, rather than any truly heavy weather. Despite several hours of snowfall, the runways remained clear, the anti-ice chemicals they had been sprayed with doing their job. The roads of Patch were growing a bit slushy and icy, but the airport was just a bit damp.

The plane landed uneventfully, even if the jolt of touchdown seemed a bit sharper than usual, and quickly taxied to the gate. Weiss was still tense, and had to be helped off by Ruby as Blake handled their carry-ons. Weiss sat on a bench, Ruby rubbing her back, the carry-ons stacked beside them, as Blake waited for the rest of their luggage at baggage claim. The baggage handlers at Patch had never been known for their alacrity, but it was not a terribly long wait. With Ruby and Blake dragging the baggage along behind her, Weiss led the trio out of the terminal, heading for the end of the loading zone where they planned to meet their ride.

"Winter." Weiss managed a smile, speeding her walk as she approached her sister. She reached out for a hug but Winter stuck out one arm to hold her back. "What is it?"

"When did this happen?" Winter asked in wonder, face caught between shock and awe as she gaped down at the still fresh pixie cut. "You cut your ponytail!"

"I just decided it was time for something new." Weiss replied. "Blake is worse!"

"We decided to break Ruby." Blake chuckled, letting go of said girlfriend's hand.

Ruby rushed forward, leaping into her mother's arms. "Muuum, they found my weakness!"

"Oh God what…" Winter took in Blake's appearance. It seemed she was embracing the punk look in attire as well, with artistically torn purple jeans, a white band t-shirt, and black jacket showing slivers of skin despite the cold. "Well I suppose it suits you."

"Hey!" Weiss complained.

"Well hello to you too." Summer laughed, lifting Ruby into her arms and squeezing her tight.

"Agh...tight...huagh!" Ruby spluttered before Summer released her grasp, leaving her gasping for air.

"Oops." Summer said, not sorry in the slightest.

"Guh." Ruby struggled to catch her breath.

"I think you're giving Yang a run for her money." Blake smirked, giving Summer's notably more muscular arms an admiring look.

"Oh shush, come here." Summer blushed, pulling Blake into another tight hug.

"What happened to your arm?!" Weiss gasped as Summer revealed the brace that still covered it.

"Oh, this?" Winter raised her arm. Blake raised a brow as Summer released her. "Just a little training accident with Raven. Nothing to worry about."

"Oh, I'm sure." Weiss accused. "What did you do, make her jealous?"

"Just a tad, but we're all good friends now." Winter answered.

"Oh, I'm sure." Weiss grumbled.

"Have a little faith in me dear sister." Winter grinned.

"Did you at least hit her back?" Weiss sighed.

"No, everyone else did that for me." Winter chuckled, glancing at Summer.

"Do I get a turn?" Weiss asked.

"Can it wait until after we get out of the cold?" Blake interrupted.

"Of course, we'll talk more when we get home." Winter nodded.

Summer helped Blake and Ruby load the bags into the trunk, then took her place in the driver's seat. Weiss slid into the middle of the back seat as Blake and Ruby got in on either side of her. "How was your flight?" Summer asked as she pulled away.

"It was okay." Ruby replied.

"It was terrifying." Weiss groaned. "I hate weather like this. I hate even driving in it."

"So I crashed my car once." Winter shrugged. "I only sprained my ankle."

"You were like an inch from being killed." Weiss countered.

"But I wasn't." Winter noted. "Just relax, it'll be fine."

"Yeah, mom's a great driver." Ruby cheered.

Summer picked that moment to hit a bump in the middle of a turn, sending the car into a brief slide. Weiss yelped and grabbed Ruby's arm, not letting go even as Summer effortless maintained control of the car. "I...hate...snow…" The ride home featured no further incidents, though Weiss held onto Ruby's arm for dear life. When they made it to the house, she heaved a sigh of relief.

"See, we made it in one piece...except for Ruby's arm." Blake teased.

"Oh...sorry Ruby." Weiss forced herself to let go. Ruby rubbed her arm and whined. "I'm exhausted. I can't wait to get to sleep."

"You need to relax Weiss." Winter advised. "Tension like this is bad for your health."

Weiss glared at Winter for a moment as the latter smirked. Ruby got out of the car, allowing Weiss to do so as well. While the others manhandled the luggage, Weiss headed straight for the house. As she approached the door it swung open, revealing Yang. "You're home!" Yang exclaimed. Weiss was the only one in range, and so was on the receiving end of a crushing embrace.

Weiss dissolved into the hug, going limp in Yang's arms as the hours of tension finally overcame her. "Hate...snow…"

"Well, looks like someone's tired." Yang laughed. "I'll carry you right to bed." Yang heaved Weiss over her shoulder. Weiss' position, combined with the tight yoga pants she was wearing, put her rear on full display. "Nice ass." Yang gave Weiss a slap and carried her into the house, heading for Ruby's room. Weiss did not even have the energy to protest, nor complain when Yang rather roughly tossed her onto Ruby's bed. No matter, she was asleep in seconds.

Back in the lounge, the others sat down to chat, Yang joining them after Weiss was dropped off. "She wasn't like this last time." Ruby noted. "I mean, she got sick on the flight and all, but everything else was alright."

"The weather couldn't have helped." Winter shrugged.

"The whole Cinder thing is probably on her mind too." Blake added.

"Cinder...that's a name I haven't heard in a while." Winter said. "I assume you're talking about Cinder Fall."

"Yep." Ruby nodded. "She-"

"She was in a plane crash." Winter nodded. "I know, it was in the news."

"Yeah...and just before finals she showed up...in really bad shape." Blake continued.

"Was she badly hurt?" Winter asked.

"Burned all over, missing an eye, couldn't stop coughing." Blake confirmed.

"We had a little...run-in with her before the last vacation." Ruby continued. "When she came back...she did it to apologize."

"Cinder Fall apologizing?" Winter raised an eyebrow. "Never thought I'd see the day. Her mother would be appalled by such a 'display of weakness.'"

"I guess you know Salem?" Blake asked.

"I haven't spoken to her since our parents died." Winter replied. "I don't have many nice things to say about her. I do feel for Cinder though. Having a mother like that…" Winter shook her head. "I shouldn't say more. I hope she bounces back. Maybe I'll send a letter wishing her a speedy recovery."

"Maybe Uncle Qrow can make her a sweet robot eye." Yang suggested. "I can't wait to see him."

Summer rolled her eyes. "Hopefully we can have a nice holiday in spite of his presence."

"Mom, be nice." Ruby implored. "He's sorry and just wants to be part of the family again. Same for dad."

"Yeah, if I can forgive them-" Yang started.

"We'll talk about this some other time." Summer cut her off. "Right now I'm just glad to have my daughter...daughters home for the holidays."