Schneider and Nick own iCarly and Victorious, and Stanley Kramer and William and Tania Rose own It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. But Hi-Def Vision, Hungry's, SaveHut, Angeles Village, Upper Echelon, The Grub Village, Spartan Condoms, Rocketslide, Matt's Spiked Iced Tea, Star Quest: Through The Shadows, A Sight For Sore Eyes and "Vanessa Liberty", that's all mine. And for good measure, you might wanna take a good look at the cover picture. It's gonna come in handy later. But anyway, on with the story.

(Los Angeles, California; Friday afternoon, March 16, 2018)

It had been more than six months since he hooked up with and eventually began dating soon-to-be 25-year-old Trina Vega, and it was just over a month ago that their friend Jade West became the third member in their relationship, but regardless of time and circumstances, it was more than fair to believe that newly 24-year-old Freddie Benson was incredibly happy with how things had turned out in his life, especially from a romantic standpoint.

But as he was leaving his job at Hi-Def Vision, a glaring, intriguing thought had struck him. He, Trina and Jade obviously had their time together as a trio, and the two women had some one-on-one time of their own before, particularly the alcohol-induced one-night stand at Trina's apartment nearly three summers ago. Of course, since he and Trina were initially a couple to begin with, Freddie also had more than enough time with her. But so far, since the five-day escapade at Upper Echelon that began on Valentine's Day, something was missing.

He hadn't had a moment alone with Jade. At least not any truly romantic ones.

Sure, there were plenty of threesomes, and even a few "two-and-a-half-somes" in the past month, and they were plenty frequent during the weekends since Jade had spent them at Angeles Village. But as far as any Benson/West interaction without a Vega involved was concerned, there wasn't any to speak of.

This wasn't due to jealousy, as Trina had told both of them, especially Freddie, at one point that if they saw fit, they were more than welcome to be intimate while they were alone.

"Listen, if you and Jade are here or at my place, and you two are in the mood, then you don't have to wait up for me. I'm not worried about you two together, and seeing as how we're all with each other, it's not like you're cheating on me or doing something behind my back. You guys should enjoy each other. The only thing I ask is that you keep each other happy... and that you make sure to include me when I come back."

It definitely wasn't because Freddie and Jade found each other unattractive, or because they didn't have chemistry anywhere beside the bedroom. They talked often and joked around a lot with and without Trina around, and they definitely had done plenty of kissing, grabbing, groping and rubbing each other, even when they weren't having sex.

But when it came to fucking, or lovemaking, and having any full-blown romantic moments that went beyond the simple kissing, cuddling and whatever else, they hadn't had those, at least not when they were alone. It eventually became second nature between Freddie and Trina, and she and Jade had done the same whenever they were back from their respective jobs and were waiting on Freddie to get back from Hi-Def Vision. Even on the morning after their intitial one-night stand, they had went out to breakfast together, albeit with Tori, André and Robbie tagging along. But no such thing had occurred with Freddie and Jade alone.

However, as Freddie made it to his car, he would finally get the opportunity he needed, and it came in a call from his first girlfriend.

"You rang, Miss Vega?" Freddie answered jokingly once he accepted Trina's call.

"Why, yes, I did ring, Mister Benson," Trina responded. "Still at work?"

"Well, I am, sort of, but I'm about to leave. What's up?"

"Well, I might be home a little later than usual tonight. I don't know if I'm gonna have to work all the way until closing time, but I'm definitely doing some overtime."

"Okay, then I guess I'll see you later then. Should I call Jade, or - "

"I already talked to Jade and let her know, since school let out more than an hour ago. I didn't ask whether or not she was doing anything or if she was going straight home. But if she comes by, or if you go to her place, you two have fun. I'll see you when I'm done here."

"Alright then. Love you."

"Love you too. Bye."

"Bye." Once the phone call was over, Freddie left away from Hi-Def Vision, and not long after he drove off, he had suddenly been struck with an idea.

Meanwhile, Jade had just made it inside of Freddie's apartment at Angeles Village not long after his and Trina's phone conversation had ended. The ex-Goth wasn't empty-handed, as she had a small gym bag packed with enough clothes to last the weekend - although if the past month had meant anything, the suitcase was damn near unnecessary - and her backpack.

But along with her suitcase and backpack, Jade also had a significantly large black plastic bag with various essentials inside. For starters, there were boxes of Spartan condoms and a bottle of Rocketslide, which were necessary for her, Freddie and Trina's... physical activity. Then, since she knew that neither one of them would be in the mood to fix anything when they got back, she had stopped at The Grub Village and bought veggie subs for herself and Trina, and a pizza sub for Freddie. For dessert, there was a fruit bowl with chocolate syrup and whipped cream for the oldest Vega sister, and as a bonus, she decided to surprise the former tech producer with a slice of coconut cream pie. This was due to her remembering the story he told her about the pie at Gallini's, and how he would order a piece from Village every so often because it was the closest thing to Gallini's that he had since he moved to L.A. And along with the food, there were bottles of Matt's Spiked Iced Tea.

Finally, for good measure, Jade had gotten a single rose for Trina, and then, in an effort to somewhat return the spur-of-the-moment favor from Valentine's Day, she had also picked up a copy of Star Quest: Through The Shadows for Freddie.

But the real surprise would come through Jade's choice in clothes. She wasn't naked - yet, and she considered it too easy for herself to be totally nude when Freddie finally made it back to the apartment. But what she would eventually put on would have almost exactly the same effect as it would if she were in the flesh.

Eventually, Freddie did make it back to Angeles Village, and like Jade, he also came back with some new material that would be put to use in the immediate future. Unknowingly following suit with his second girlfriend, he also had bought boxes of Spartan and a new bottle of Rocketslide, and he had bought flowers for Jade and Trina. Like he had done on the holiday a month ago, he bought a jar of chocolate chips and a bag of chocolate-and-coffee-flavored edible scissors. He was initially skeptical of doing so due to the risk of being routine, but he realized how often both women enjoyed said snacks before and since then. To provide comparison, it would have been like providing Carly or Cat with a regular supply of red velvet cupcakes, or even giving Sam a seemingly endless stash of Fat Cakes.

He hadn't bought anything to drink, but this was only because there was already plenty of beverages, including alcohol, at both his and Trina's places. He also skipped buying dinner because for the moment, he was still debating internally on whether he should cook for them later that night, or if he would take them out if Trina had came home early enough.

Before he knew it, Freddie was at the door of his apartment and was just moments away from walking in. On the other side, Jade, who had just finished changing into her special get-up, was at the counter that separated the living room from the kitchen to finish putting everything away. After putting the dinner in the oven, the dessert and alcohol in the refrigerator, and finding a small cup and filling it up with water to briefly put Trina's rose in, Jade was about to take the bag with the condoms, lube and the movie and take it to Freddie's room, when suddenly...

"Jade?"

"Uh... H-hi, Freddie."

"Um... not that I mind you being here or anything, but... well, what are you doing here?" Freddie asked, both surprised at Jade's presence in his apartment, and stunned (albeit happily) at what she had on.

"Well, I talked to Trina as soon as class let out at Hollywood Arts," Jade began. "And she told me that she'd be late coming home from Hungry's. So after we talked, I decided to surprise you. So I went and grabbed some things. And I see that you did the same."

"Yeah, I - I did," Freddie replied. "Uh... wow, Jade. You... you look amazing."

"You like?" Jade asked sexily. She had on a strapless black teddy, black thigh-high stockings that were pulled just above her knees, and the black heels that she wore on Valentine's Day.

"I do. I really do."

"Good, 'cause that's what I was going for."

"I see that. So, uh, what brought on this whole surprise of yours?"

"Well, I realized that since we've been with each other, or since I've been with you and Trina, me and you, we really haven't had any time together where it's just the two of us."

"You noticed it too?" Freddie asked with a slight smile.

"Yeah, I did. I mean, we might have kissed, done a little 'inappropriate' touching, and of course, we've had sex, but as far as the really deep romantic stuff goes, we haven't done that together yet, at least not without Trina. And I know it's only been a month, but it wouldn't make sense for us to keep going forward without some real bonding just between us."

"I know. But if it means anything, the fact that we both came to this conclusion should show that we're on the same page, so that's a good sign, I guess."

"And everything that happened before now wasn't a good sign?"Jade asked before laughing.

"Haha, no, it was, but as great as it is to come home, go to Trina's down the hall, or even to go to your place and constantly screw each other all day and all night, I get that having great sex can only take us so far if we're all serious about staying together."

"See, I had a feeling that there was something more going on in that head of yours besides tech stuff," Jade teased.

"You're lucky you're pretty, Jade," Freddie teased back.

"Am I pretty?"

"Yeah, you are. Actually, never mind pretty. You're better than pretty."

"And what, may I ask, is better than pretty?"

"Oh, I don't know... sexy, stunning, sultry, gorgeous, beautiful. Have I made my point, or should I keep going?

"Point made. Tell me, why did it take you moving here and hooking up with me and Trina for you to have somebody again?"

"Well, let's see. For one, I wasn't really looking for 'Mrs. Right' when I was in college. Then, the one woman I know besides you and Trina that comes closest to that went back home while I came here. And if I remember right, I think Carly, Sam and a bunch of other girls in Seattle, to quote you, had their heads up their asses. Does that explanation work?"

"Yeah, it does."

"Good. So, uh, what were you up to while you were in here sneaking around and stuff?"

"Uh, I wasn't sneaking around, Benson. I was actually trying to prepare for tonight."

"And how exactly were you doing that, West?"

"Well, for starters, dinner is served, or it will be when I get through with you," Jade said before opening the oven and handing Freddie the box with his pizza sub from The Grub Village.

"And here I was wondering whether I would take you and Trina to dinner, or if I would cook for you guys," Freddie began. "But seriously, thanks Jade."

"Wait, I'm not done yet. Take a look at this."

"So, you went and got a slice of coconut cream pie too. You're putting on quite a show, Jade."

"Well, I've had my fair share of practice. And for my next act, I went ahead and pressed all the buttons back there marked 'booze'," Jade said as she showed Freddie the bottles of Matt's.

"And what happens for an encore?" Freddie asked.

"Oh, I don't know, Freddie," Jade began nonchalantly. "Could be more food, could be more drinks... or it could be a certain movie." She then took the copy of ...Through The Shadows from the bag and handed it to Freddie.

"No way, Jade."

"Yeah, I did it. I found a copy, went ahead and bought it, and now, it's all yours. So, do I rock, or do I rock?"

"Well, you rocked anyway, but now, it's definitely noticable. Thanks, Jade."

"You're welcome, sweetheart. You know, I owed you that much."

"What makes you say that?"

"Well, for one thing, you're a pretty incredible boyfriend to me and to Trina," Jade started. "And then I needed to return the favor for what you did at SaveHut last month. Plus, if nothing else, you know the way to a woman's heart... and her sweet tooth."

"So, you saw the chocolate chip jar and bag of edible scissors?" Freddie asked happily.

"Why, yes I did,"Jade replied.

"I was actually worried that I was getting predictable and routine because I got those again."

"Well, there's no such thing when it comes to something that's practically a necessity for the both of us."

"Glad that you feel that way. So what else is left for us to do?"

"Well, it isn't so much a question of what, but more like who, and the answer to that is each other. So, what do you say to us grabbing those bags and heading to your room?"

"It'd be my pleasure." With that, Freddie and Jade kissed before picking up the plastic grocery bags with the Spartan boxes and Rocketslide bottles inside and going to Freddie's bedroom. At this point, it seemed as if spending the afternoon alone together seemed like it was more than worth it.

So, should I have kept it going with a lemon, or nah? But anyway, as you see, Freddie and Jade do have the ability to bond out of the bed and without Trina. Not that having her around is a bad idea. But anyway, for now, that's all I wrote. I won't slap the "complete" tag on the fic just yet, because I'm debating on whether to leave it as is, or to (eventually) update it. But until that happens, if it happens, I'm gone. Later, people.