Chapter Fourty Nine: The Test Of Faith

Though they had come to an agreement, Penny and Ember still found it difficult to speak to one another. Ember found herself questioning Penny quite a bit as of late with what had happened. Though she tried to reason that it was unfair to judge her friend, she found it difficult. The situation they were in, the responsibilities placed upon them was already stressful. But now, with this confusion thrown into everything, Ember couldn't help but feel as though it would distract them from their goals. Penny should have known better in Embers opinion, and yet, nothing could be done about it now. And if, Penny truly did have feelings, this might only complicate things further. At first, Ember had considered going back to Earth and leaving everything behind. Not because she wanted to truly leave, but because by being here, with Penny's emotions, it may only cause further issues. However, Ember decided to stick it out for the time being. To remain, close, cooperative but also distant. Something that Ember was not entirely sure would be a good idea, but having no other solutions coming to mind.

Raven could still sense the tension in the room and had no idea how to break other than to confront the obvious. " So I'm assuming that you two didn't actually settle the issue.." Raven looked to both Ember and Penny who were standing on opposite ends of the room, avoiding eye contact.

" What even happened that caused all this? You both need to open up to me a little because maybe I can help? " Raven was trying her best but neither girl seemed to want to be the first to explain things.

" Alright.." Raven finally sighed after several minutes of silence. " I'm sorry I'm getting involved here but we all have to work together and it's not going to work out to well for us if things remain like this. So one of you, has to talk to me.." Raven again tried to be a mediator but found this task rather difficult with two people as stubborn as Penny and Ember.

" Alright fine. I kissed Ember" Penny finally screamed as she finally turned her attention to Ember who had her back turned against Penny.

" I kissed her because I was confused. And I thought we agreed to put this behind us but obviously it's something we have to find a way to work through" Raven stomped her way to the table and took a seat.

" I don't know what the hell I'm suppose to say. I feel guilty about it. I don't know why I did it. I don't know what I feel and I'm sorry for that. I'm sorry I don't have the answer for every single thing you are wanting to know. But I respect you and I care about you Ember" Raven now sounded as though she was pleading with Ember.

" I am sorry. I can't take that back and I wish I could but I can't" Penny, now was more angry than sad. Ember refused to say anything to Penny which angered Penny even more.

" Freaking say something to me! " Penny demanded as Raven decided to intervene.

" I think that these emotions that have been felt, are something that deeper within you Penny. Perhaps you need to figure out where you truly stand on things, because it seems as though you've hurt Embers trust. If you don't know where you stand on feelings, how is she expected to know whether she can place trust in those feelings" Raven tries to explain but Penny disagreed. " Its not even that. She is straight, and i don't know what I am. I have never really thought about it. Ember doesn't reciprocate feelings..and I don't even know if I have any"

Ember finally turns around and interjects " I don't know how I feel. I just know that what we are here to do is more important than feelings" Ember's voice was shakey and yet intense. She was deeply upset and the tone she set in the room was deeply uncomfortable.

"So basically feelings don't matter.." Penny mutters, hurt deeply by Ember's words.

" Not right now. No" Ember commands as she crosses her arms and turns away from Penny.

Raven listens to both sides before interjecting again.

" Well it seems you both need to figure how you truly feel. Yes, there are things that are very important right now. But, at the same time, if you both don't get this out then there is going to be even more conflict in the future" Raven was trying to keep the peace but found it increasingly difficult to do so.

" There is nothing to figure out" Ember rolled her eyes at Raven's suggestion.

" This is obviously not going to work " Penny threw her hands up and turned away from Ember now, leaving Raven, facepalming at the entire situation.

" I don't love you...not like that" Ember finally confessed which made Raven look to her, almost surprised that something productive was finally being said.

" Yeah, that's apparent" Penny scoffed.

" Penny, if Ember doesn't feel that way about you...and it hurts then maybe you do have real feelings for Ember. And maybe those aren't sorted out yet but there is something there" Raven pointed out. " Now I know Ember is upset but it's going to take her a bit to calm down. And once she does, I'm sure you two can maybe talk this out a little more " Raven turns to Ember again. " You don't have to return feeling for Penny. But she has apologized, and I don't think she will do anything like that again. But, you are going to have to forgive her a little. Not immediately, but at some point" Raven added, seeing that Ember was still angry.

" Though right now, we do have to work together, as it has been said many times and we can't do that if you two won't talk like adults" Raven raised her hands up which lifted both Ember and Penny off the ground, and flew them over to the table, before allowing their feet to touch the ground again. Now, Penny and Ember were standing face to face with one another, and neither could move from the place they had been put. " What is this? " Ember complained as she tried to struggle free but found her body was paralyzed.

" You two are going to find a way to fix this at least where communication can happen. Again, you don't have to forgive one another right now but communication needs to happen" Raven was beginning to feel like a parent, trying to manage the two.

" There is nothing else to say about it" Ember scoffed and tried to look away. Penny However, accepted that something had to change and she would try again to make a move towards that peace.

" Ember. I am sorry. For hundredth time, I'm sorry. You are my bestfriend. And in the moment, I felt something I went for it. I did so and didn't even think about how you'd feel. And I apologize for it. I can't take it back but what I can do is promise to never let anything like that happen again. I don't want to lose you. Like I've said, I need you here. With me. And you are right.." Penny paused for a moment, noticing that Ember seemed to be listening finally.

" There are way more important things going on and I let my emotions get the best of me. But I would never put the mission, or our lives in jeopardy because of this" Penny added, as Ember seemed to calm down.

" First and foremost you are my friend. And I will always care about you. I will do whatever it takes to make this up to you, but please give me a chance to do that. An honest chance" Penny was speaking from her heart. If she could give the power for Ember to see inside of her heart then Ember would know it to be true, Penny would gladly do so.

" I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have went off on you. It was a kiss. But we have things to do here and we can't get distracted" Ember mumbled, trying to again, avert her eyes.

" I am going to try my best to move past this so we can at least get done what has to be done" Ember added and Penny smiled " That's all I'm asking for" Penny was satisfied with the small chance she was given and Ember seemed to be in agreement with the terms and with that, Raven released them.

" Do you trust me.." Penny asked as she walked over to Ember, who at first wanted to back away but hesitated. " Yes..." Ember answered, seeming to not know the answer herself as Penny leaned forward and hugged Ember tightly. Ember did not embrace the hug at first, but after a short time, she wrapped her arms around Penny and the two began to cry, small, bittersweet tears.