Chapter 9

Pyrrha stumbled into Glynda's office the next morning. Her semester had come to an end so she was working for Glynda full time until the next started. Pyrrha was exhausted, and for once the coffee was not helping. As she sat at her desk she placed the cup down but clumsily almost knocked it over, only just making the last-second catch. She started on some paperwork but could hardly focus. In the end she just buried her face in her hands trying to force her mind onto task.

"Something wrong?" Glynda asked, stepping out the door of her office.

"I didn't sleep well last night." Pyrrha replied.

"Any reason?" Glynda pressed.

"Yes actually." Pyrrha replied. "Do you mind talking about it with me?"

"My next appointment isn't for another hour, so now is as good a time as any." Glynda said. "Come on in." Pyrrha stood and yawned, following Glynda into her office. She took a seat in the chair generally reserved for patients and Glynda took her normal place. "So, what's the issue?"

"Yesterday I went to visit Nora, like I do every week." Pyrrha explained. "When I got there she was...nude. I thought she might be having an episode but she just said she was too hot, and I convinced her to get dressed. Since then...I can't get that image out of my head. I can't stop thinking about her. I'm feeling things I haven't felt before, and I can't wrap my head around it. I know I have a history of falling in love with the wrong people...but Nora…I don't want to..."

"Let me interrupt for a moment." Glynda said. "Was it hot in there?"

"I...I don't think so." Pyrrha answered. "I'm not sure Nora did either because when she hugged me...never mind."

"Pyrrha, either Nora's sensation of temperature is far more compromised than we thought or she wasn't really hot." Glynda suggested. "She clearly had a goal in mind other than cooling off."

"I...I...Glynda, I'm so confused." Pyrrha sighed.

"Pyrrha, you have taken a central role in her life." Glynda said. "You are her caretaker and friend. She trusts you more than she trusts me. It's only natural that she grow attached to you romantically."

"B-but...s-she still loves Ren...so dearly...a-and...I've never felt like this before." Pyrrha stammered. "I...I don't know why I feel this way all of a sudden, about her of all people. Glynda, I don't want to take advantage of her! She's so fragile. What if I hurt her? What if I'm not good enough? What...oh God...God help me…"

Glynda stood and motioned for Pyrrha to do the same. Pyrrha tried to compose herself as she stood but could not hold back the tears as Glynda pulled her into a hug. "Pyrrha, you care deeply for Nora, and she cares deeply for you." Glynda encouraged. "You have done so much for her, and she has opened her heart to you, the first time she's done it since her husband passed. It's ultimately up to you, but I have faith that should you choose to reciprocate her feelings, you will do well for each other."

"You really think so?" Pyrrha asked.

"With all my heart." Glynda confirmed.

"Okay...okay...I…I'll talk to her about this." Pyrrha said, finally forcing herself to calm down. "Thank you Glynda, thank you."

"You don't have to think me Pyrrha." Glynda said with a smile. "It's my job remember, and you've always been my favorite patient."

Glynda gave Pyrrha the rest of the day off and Pyrrha headed straight to Nora's house. As she usually did, she sent a text ahead to let Nora know she was coming. Upon her arrival Nora was waiting at the door. Nora waved Pyrrha in and they stepped inside, Pyrrha closing the door behind herself. "Sorry I was naked when you got here yesterday." Nora immediately apologized. "I don't know what I was thinking."

"That's okay Nora." Pyrrha said. "I was just a little shocked. I'm well, not exactly comfortable with that sort of thing and I...overreacted. I'm sorry too. You're...quite beautiful Nora."

"Thanks!" Nora exclaimed. "I do a lot of pushups...and situps and crunches and squats and running." She said, miming the activities as she spoke. "I get bored a lot and exercise is fun!" She paused and her expression shifted, suddenly serious. "You're beautiful too Pyrrha!"

Pyrrha rubbed her hands together nervously. "I really don't think so…" She started.

Nora stepped up to Pyrrha and took her hands in her own. "You are beautiful Pyrrha." Nora insisted. "You hair is so long and flowy, your eyes are gorgeous, like big shiny emeralds! And you always wear those lovely turtlenecks. They make you look so...so...mature!"

Pyrrha teared up and blushed brightly. "I...I...Nora...God you're sweet." She stammered. "I just...I have trouble seeing what other people see in me."

Nora pulled Pyrrha into a hug, leaning the side of her head against Pyrrha's chest. Pyrrha stiffened from surprise but relaxed into the embrace. "You're amazing Pyrrha, an angel of a woman." Nora said softly. "You make me feel so happy. Every time I see you it's like you're a big light making me warm, making me glow. You're beautiful Pyrrha...you're so beautiful…" She tried to continue but choked on a sob.

Pyrrha flinched and tried to pull away but Nora tightened her grip. "Nora, what's wrong?" Pyrrha asked.

"Oh don't mind me." Nora wept. "I'm all mushy and emotional, just a little loopy. You know." She finished off with an uneasy laugh.

"You're not loopy Nora." Pyrrha said, decisively forcing herself out of Nora's embrace so she could look her in the eye. "You're a little silly sometimes, but you mean well and you wouldn't cry for no reason." Nora refused to meet Pyrrha's gaze. "Nora, look at me." Nora sniffled and tried to turn away, but now it was Pyrrha's turn to take Nora's hands in her own. "Nora, these things I make you feel...I feel the same way."

"I...I…" Nora stammered, finally looking up at Pyrrha.

"I-it's not something I'm used to." Pyrrha continued. "It's actually a little frightening. I haven't felt this way in a long time...but I'm not going to ignore it. I'm not going to ignore you. I care for you Nora! You are my life! I wake up in the morning and I count the minutes until I'll see your smile again. It took me too long to realize what I feel for you...and see what you feel for me. And I'm sorry. I'm sorry it took me so long and I…"

Nora pushed up onto her tiptoes and kissed Pyrrha on the lips. Pyrrha gasped at first but soon found herself reciprocating. It was a long kiss, the longest Pyrrha had ever experienced, and it was only broken by the need to catch her breath. "Don't ever be sorry." Nora said. "Not for this Pyrrha, not for this." Nora forced herself forward and wrapped Pyrrha in another hug, burying her head in Pyrrha's shoulder. Pyrrha smiled, wrapped her hands around her and rubbed her back, giggling to herself. She had never felt quite so happy before.

Yang changed into more comfortable clothes. Business casual was a must for a job interview, but it was not her style. Sweats and a tank-top were. She reclined on the couch and flipped on the television. After a few minutes Winter walked over. Yang patted the couch beside her and Winter took a seat, leaning against Yang. She draped her tattooed arm over Winter's shoulder. "How did your interview go?" Winter asked.

"If I'm honest, not well." Yang said with an uneasy laugh. "It was pretty clear that I'm not the right person for that job."

"Well, it's not your only opportunity." Winter encouraged.

"I haven't heard back from the other two yet." Yang sighed. "And I don't exactly have high hopes about the last one."

"You never know." Winter said. "The important thing is not giving up."

"I know." Yang said. "I just wish it was easier. Like when I started working for Junior. There was a 'Help Wanted' sign in the window, I walked in and he gave me a job. I guess it can't always be so simple."

"No, I guess it can't." Winter agreed. For a moment she reflected on how easy it had been for her. She had been given her job by her father, she got into university without applying because of her father, she was rich because of her father… Her mind was traveling down a depressing road. She needed to change subjects. "You know, I never asked about your tattoos. I'm sure they have some kind of meaning to them."

"Yeah, they do." Yang confirmed. "The dragon, well, that's my name. I've got dad and the Vacuoan language to thank for that one. As for the roses, those were for Ruby and her mother. When Ruby was born dad wasn't married to Summer yet, so she kept her last name, Rose. So yeah, that about does it for the symbolism. Other than that it just looks awesome."

"There's no arguing with that." Winter said. She thought for a moment. "When I saw the extent of them, I noticed they seemed to just, well, end."

"That's because they're not done, not really." Yang explained. "I'd just gotten this done when Ruby was diagnosed. I was having them done bit by bit as I could afford them, and once Ruby got sick I couldn't spare the cash. I always thought I'd get them finished, but when Ruby died not only was I left without the cash, I just didn't see the point. Now though, I want to have them finished. Maybe one day."

"You should." Winter said. "If you don't you'll probably end up regretting it."

"So, I couldn't help but notice that snowflake on you ass." Yang said. "Does that have a meaning?"

"Schnee does mean 'snow' in Old Atlesian." Winter said. "And more than once I've been called a 'cold-hearted bitch.'" Winter and Yang burst into laughter.

Yang and Winter arrived at the weekly meeting right on time. They were still the last to arrive. As they pulled their chairs up to the circle there was a noticeable difference to the configuration. Instead of Velvet being to Pyrrha's immediate right, Nora was. And the two were holding hands. Nora always looked happy but today she seemed exceptionally so. "I feel like we missed something." Yang said as she sat down.

"I think we all did." Blake said.

"Now that we're all here I suppose we can get started." Glynda said. "Nora and Pyrrha, I understand you have an announcement."

"We do." Pyrrha confirmed. "Nora and I…"

"We're dating!" Nora exclaimed.

Everyone clapped. "Congratulations." Velvet said.

"You'll be good for each other." Yang said.

"It's about time." Sun added.

"This is wonderful news." Glynda said. She reached out her hand and Nora took it. "It's good to see you moving forward."

"Yeah...it feels good." Nora said.

"Progress usually does." Glynda noted.

"Maybe...maybe there's something else I should do." Nora said, taking on an uncharacteristically serious tone. "If I'm going to move forward…"

"Are you suggesting what I think you are?" Pyrrha asked nervously. Nora nodded. "If you're sure you're ready, this may still be difficult."

"I know but...with your support I think I can do it." Nora said. "I know I disappoint you and Glynda whenever I make up a story about Ren. It's time...it's time to...to tell the truth." She took a deep breath. "You probably figured it out, but the story I told about Ren's death isn't true. I'm sorry but...it...it's painful." Pyrrha took Nora's hand and squeezed it, Nora squeezing back. "Well I...how should...I'll just start from the beginning.

"I grew up an orphan in Vacuo. No one ever wanted to adopt me, and even the foster families usually sent be back. I never really made any friends. I was so lonely. When high school started it wasn't much better. Most of the other students avoided me. But there was one person who didn't shy away. He said his name was Ren, and that was pretty much all he said. He didn't talk much but he was a great listener. The years went by but he was still pretty much my only friend. He didn't have many friends either, but I think in his case it was because he didn't try. Anyway, I fell in love almost immediately but I was too afraid to say anything because I didn't want to scare him away. Then, he invited me to Junior Prom. I was shocked. I almost fainted but I managed to accept the invitation.

"After the dance I finally confessed how I felt. He said he always knew and felt the same way. He could see how surprised I was, and he apologized, saying he assumed I knew. After that we dated for the rest of our time there. When we graduated he got into college at Vale Polytechnic and I didn't. I was so scared, I thought it meant he would be leaving me. But then he invited me to come with him. He was getting his own apartment instead of staying in the dorm, so I could come along. I was so happy. He'd pretty much been my whole life since we met, but from that point he really was.

"We got married a year later. He finished school a year early - he was always kind of a nerd - and got a great job as an architect and engineer. They called him a prodigy, a genius, but to me he was just Ren. His job took him on trips a lot and I was lonely, but he called every night and always replied to my texts, even when he was busy. He was...perfect.

"I was really excited when he got a job designing a building close to home. We'd just bought a house and he didn't want to go far until we settled in. The job wasn't really his thing but the pay was good and the location was right. He usually designed really big buildings, but this one was pretty small, just a four story apartment building." Tears welled in Nora's eyes. She squeezed Pyrrha's hand more tightly. "It was a special project working with experimental materials. It was supposed to be a lighter, cheaper way to build and they wanted the design to be a real showcase."

Winter had an odd feeling. Something about the story felt very familiar. It was as if she had heard it before, but she could not place it. For some reason it made her anxious, even more than she would have expected while listening to the story of someone's death.

"That day...it was a Thursday…" Nora continued. "Ren made breakfast, kissed me and left for work, just like he did every day. I waited all day like I usually did, counting the minutes until he'd be home. He always got home by six. But six came and went and he still wasn't home. I was a little worried, but I figured he got stuck in traffic or something. Then there was a knock at the door. I thought Ren just forgot his key, which would have been really weird, but I hoped. When I opened the door it wasn't Ren. It was a man and a woman, Police"

"They asked if they could come in. I asked why. They said they had to tell me something about Ren and asked if I was his wife. I said I was. They said I should sit down. I did and the woman sat on the couch beside me. I felt sick. The man hesitated, but then he said it. There'd been a building collapse. Ren was dead." Tears streamed down Nora's face. "He was just doing his job when one of the workers told him there was trouble. Cracks were appearing in one of the columns. He went to take a look and the building collapsed on him. Something about the material wasn't as strong as the manufacturer had claimed, so the calculations were off. He did everything right...but he died."

Nora took a moment to compose herself. She tried and failed but went on anyway. "I couldn't even see his body. They said it would upset me. I don't know if he was even really in the casket at his funeral. His family came from Vacuo and they helped me deal with it for a few days, but then they went home. I was alone, so alone. I couldn't handle it. I had a meltdown. I don't remember most of it, but apparently someone spotted me walking down the street naked and covered in dirt. I was taken to a psychiatric hospital. Glynda came to see me. She convinced them to release me on the condition that I saw her every week and took the medication that was prescribed. Glynda saved me...but things got worse."

"Nora, what…" Pyrrha started.

Nora pulled her hand out of Pyrrha's and stood. The pain on her face was gone, replaced with intense anger. She stared daggers at Winter. "Oh no…" Winter gasped.

"Ren was dead and I wanted justice!" Nora raged, her voice building in volume as she went. "Someone was responsible for his death, those monsters who lied about how strong their special stuff was supposed to be. If nothing else Ren deserved justice, after all he'd done for me, all he'd done for you! But when push came to shove Mr. Bigshot lawyer said there was no point fighting. You were too big, too powerful. We would lose, and then I'd have nothing at all. If I gave in at least I'd have the blood money you offered."

"Nora we don't…" Glynda tried to cut in.

"You tried to buy my forgiveness the way you're buying Yang's love!" Nora screamed. "Well I don't want your fucking money! I want Ren! He was the only person who put up with me, who ever cared for me, who put up with my broken brain because he loved me, and you took him away! He deserved better!" She reached the peak of her fury, hyperventilating through gritted teeth. Then, quieter. "He deserved the perfect wife, the perfect job and the perfect life, but he couldn't have that because he chose to love me, despite everything. And he couldn't even have that because of you!"

Nora's anger was now mixed with sobbing as tears flowed down her cheeks. "You took him away and I'm all that's left!" Nora sobbed, barely able to speak. "And I'm too stupid and messed up to even take care of myself without him. All the money in the world can't fix that! Nothing can make up for it because you can't bring him back!"

Nora stood there for a few seconds, staring at Winter. Winter was trembling, her hands clenched in her lap, her eyes wide and her skin ghostly pale. The others could do nothing but look on, shocked and not knowing what to do. In an instant the anger disappeared from Nora's face. Now there was only pain. Crying inconsolably she ran from the room. "Nora…" Pyrrha called after her weakly before giving chase.

Winter opened her mouth to speak but could only manage a pathetic whimper. Yang huddled over her, embracing her and rubbing her back. Sun snapped out of his stupor and raced after Nora and Pyrrha. Blake and Velvet were still at a loss. "Yang, get Winter home." Glynda took charge.

"R-right." Yang stammered. She helped Winter to her feet and walked her out.

By the time they reached the car tears were flowing down Winter's cheeks. "Yang I...when I...my job...I didn't know." Winter struggled. "I'm so sorry."