Slaughterhouse

Frustration

About an hour later a doctor walks into the waiting room, looking at Carmen as she walks over. She explains to Carmen that Rhea has a concussion and some bruised ribs along with some more internal bruises. She's going to be out of work for at least the next three weeks with strict orders to rest.

"So she'll be okay?" Carmen asks.

"As long as she takes it easy these next few weeks she will heal just fine." The doctor replies.

Carmen thanks her and is pointed in the direction of Rhea's room. When she walks in, Rhea is already standing by the bed pulling her gown off. She peeks over her shoulder at Carmen and turns away again before slipping her gear back on since she doesn't have her bag.

"How are you feeling babe?" Carmen asks softly.

"Oh I feel great. What do you think mate?" Rhea rolls her eyes and walks towards the door, holding gently at her side.

Carmen reaches out to help her but is quickly shrugged off as she leaves the room. Frowning, she follows Rhea out to a cab and gets in next to her. Rhea looks out the window the whole way, not saying a word to Carmen.

"Rhea? Are you upset with me?" She finally asks when they walk into the hotel room.

Rhea sighs and grabs her bag, slowly and painfully changing into more comfortable clothes. She won't even let Carmen help her with her shirt.

"Yeah Carmen. You hurt Raquel." Rhea says looking up.

Carmen frowns, "after all she did to us and said about me you're upset with me for fighting back?"

Rhea rolls her eyes and goes to grab her bag but winces in pain and drops it back on the bed. Carmen looks at the time and realizes the flight she found to get them back home leaves in half an hour.

She quickly grabs Rhea's bag for her and follows her as she stomps from the room and towards the cab still parked outside.

The flight is silent. Uneventful. Rhea ignores every one of Carmen's attempts to get her out of the grumpy mood she's in. From trying to chat, to cracking the dumbest of jokes, even trying to get intimate. Each one was shrugged off as Rhea tilts her head towards staring out the window to fall asleep.

Once back in Orlando, Carmen grabs their bags from the backseat of Rhea's truck and walks inside the house. Rhea had already went inside after she offered to grab their things.

Setting the bags down by the door, Carmen watches as Buddy wraps a gentle arm around Rhea's waist and helps her lie on the couch. He then grabs a blanket and drapes it over her before kissing the top of her head and looking up at Carmen.

She gives a small, sad smile and he frowns, walking over to her and putting his hands on her shoulders. He studies her face.

"What's wrong baby?" He asks.

Carmen slightly shakes her head and peers over his shoulder to Rhea, who is lying on the couch scrolling through her phone. Yawning.

Buddy gets the message and slips his hand into hers, grabbing it and gently pulling her into the kitchen where they can talk in private. Carmen sits at the island and looks down, twiddling her thumbs while Buddy stands opposite of her and leans on the counter.

"What's happened?" He asks.

"I went off on Raquel in the ring. And Rhea has barely said a word to me since except to tell me she's pissed about it." Carmen sighs.

Buddy raises a brow, "about Raquel?"

Carmen nods and still messes with her thumbs, obviously upset. Buddy reaches across the island and gently grabs her chin, making her look up.

"What can I do to put a smile on your face, Carmen?" He asks softly.

She blushes a little and shrugs, "tell Rhea not to be mad?"

Buddy chuckles, "She's probably just frustrated right now. Let's give her the night I'm sure she'll be fine tomorrow."

Nodding again, Carmen sighs. Buddy walks around the island and grabs her cheeks, tilting her head up towards him and kisses her. She kisses back, melting into his touch.

When he pulls away, she's smiling which makes him smile and wink at her.

"There's that beautiful smile." He says.

Carmen laughs softly and follows him back out to the living room where Rhea is now asleep on the couch. Watching as her chest slowly rises and falls, Carmen can't help but feel sad again. She wants to take care of Rhea but she isn't letting her.

Noticing the change in her demeanor again, Buddy grabs her hand and gently pulls her upstairs to the bedroom. Carmen looks at him when he spins her to face him and sighs.

Buddy pulls her close to him and plants kisses on each of her cheeks, her chin, her forehead and then her lips. Carmen kisses back and smiles softly.

"Lay down." He whispers.

Carmen tilts her head, "what about Rhea?"

"I'll bring her back before we sleep. Right now I'm focusing on you." He says.

Nodding, Carmen crawls onto the bed and lies down. Buddy lies next to her and pulls her into his arms. He kisses her neck softly and rubs his hands on her back under her shirt. Carmen hums softly in peace and her eyes close as he rubs her back in circles. He plants small kisses on her lips at the same time, feeling her body relax into his touch again.

She slowly falls asleep finally and doesn't even stir when Buddy leaves to go downstairs and carry Rhea into the room. He lies her on the bed gently, careful not to wake her before lying between them, hooking an arm around each of them.