Author's Note: This is the alternate ending to it's complicated. The first chapter is the same in both stories so if you have already read it (and don't want to read it again), go on to the next chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Victorious or any of the characters on the show.
8 years after the finale-
Tori Vega is driving her car past the Hollywood hills and admires the day's sunshine. After three days of non-stop rain, people in Hollywood could finally step out and enjoy the weather. She notices the happy smiles of kids walking alongside their parents and young couples walking hand in hand to and from shops along the shopping strip. She notices one particular couple, happily strolling along smiling and laughing together. They must have been a little older that fifty and still shared love-struck stares with each other. It makes her smile to see that kind of love still around, but it also makes her feel guilty about what she is doing.
As she continues driving towards the Sunset Hills, her anxiety increases. She knows the best thing to do would be to turn around and head back home where she is safe and nothing bad can happen. By turning around, she will be making sure that no one gets hurt and can go about their businesses without any problems. Even though she knows this, she can't bring herself to do so. Something stops her from making the logical decision and keeps her driving forth. The internal conflict she's been dealing with for the past half hour is not strong enough to make her go back to her safe place.
After about twenty minutes on the road, she approaches her destination. She pulls the car up to the driveway of the isolated cabin and steps out. It's been nearly two month since she's been here and she still feels right at home. Something about the airiness and tranquility of this place eases her nerves and makes her happier than when she is anywhere else. If someone asks her where home is, she would be inclined to tell them about this place. Of course, she could never do that without bringing shame to herself.
She throws her bag over her shoulders and walks the distance of the driveway up to the door. She reaches under the mat to find the key. It's crazy how much of a routine this has become for her. Every month, she finds herself right here doing the exact same thing, feeling the exact same way. As she unlocks the door and turns the knob she is met with the familiar scent of the house. The natural smell of the location make her smile. It's such a contrast from the busy city she lives in. Being here is almost like being on vacation.
She walks around for a bit before heading to the bedroom to unload her bag and settle in. She lays down on the bed and closes her eyes, basking in the temporary peace and quiet around her. This is the life she desires. If it wasn't for the fact that her dreams require her to be in the city for auditions, she could see herself living here for the rest of her life. She would become an old lady and raise her children to live a carefree and innocent life; one in which they wouldn't have to be afraid of getting mugged on the streets or feel rejection from the shallow city people.
She continues reflecting on how perfect her life would be if all this was permanent and not just something she did once a month. Her thoughts are abruptly interrupted by a male figure who has now inhabited the bedroom. She looks at him, standing by the door with just a towel wrapped around his waist and his hair dripping wet. She raises an eyebrow at him and shoots him a sarcastic smile.
"I see you're ready" she says and makes him laugh. She gets out of bed, rushes over to him and wraps her arms around his neck. He returns the embrace by wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her just a few feet off the ground. He leans in for a kiss and as soon as their lips touch, she feels every nerve in her body reacting with happiness. Her insides tingle and she is absolutely entranced in the moment. She runs her fingers through his wet hair and pulls him in to deepen the kiss. Sensing her urgency, he pulls away and smiles.
"We have all day" he says, setting her back down.
She nods her head and watches as he walks towards a chair and looks through his bag to find some clothes to change into. Tori sits down on the edge of the bed and watches as he begins to dress in front of her. He notices her checking him out and says "like what you see?"
She nods her head yes and they share a laugh. He informs her he picked up food for them and once he is dressed, they head to the kitchen to eat.
After about an hour of eating and catching up, he takes her hand and leads her back to the bedroom. He walks her over to the bed and once she is sitting on the edge, he walks over to a radio by the dresser and finds a slow song they can listen to. When he looks back over to her, he sees her starting to take her top off. Instantly, he walks over to her and stops her from continuing to get undressed. She looks at him curiously, confused as to why he isn't as excited to sleep with her as she is to be with him.
"I don't want to rush this," he announces, hoping she isn't feeling rejected, "I want to enjoy today with you before we have to go back."
As the music fills the atmosphere, she has to wonder why he would bring up the fact that they have to leave in a few hours. After starting the day on a wonderful note, she had completely forgotten about her life outside this cabin. Now, he brought her right back to reality.
He notices her face fall. "I'm sorry," he says, "I shouldn't have brought it up."
She nods her head and looks around the room. Somehow, the magic got sucked out of it after he said that. With a loud sigh, she forces a smile which she quickly sees doesn't convince him.
"Tori?" he asks.
"Beck, I don't want to talk about it okay?" she responds. She gets off the bed and begins to pace around the room. For whatever reason, she is now feeling as if someone sucked all the air out of the room and really just wants to get out. She wishes she can go back just a few minutes and stop him from mentioning the sad truth. He knows how much it pains her to have to leave the cabin every single month. He knows how much she struggles with her decision to come and how when she comes here, she tries to forget about the real world in order to enjoy her time with him.
"I don't want to talk about it either, but do you ever think that maybe we should? We've been doing this for a while now and I think we'll eventually have to figure out where it's going" he says, hoping to reason with her.
She shoots him a harsh look which instantly makes him regret asking her this question, more than the first one. "You really want to talk about it now? Here? I hadn't realized that's what we came here to do."
He is surprised by the aggressive tone in her voice. It's been years since he's heard a similar tone coming from her, and that time hadn't been directed towards him. He gets off the bed and walks towards the radio. He lowers the volume and walks over to a chair near the door. He leans against its arm and knows it's best to not respond. Having known her for years, he understands that it's best to just let her finish.
"I mean, I know we should eventually figure out what we're doing but I really didn't think you would bring it up here. Do you understand what this place means to me? This is where I can come to be with you and forget about all the shit that goes on in my life. Here, I don't have to feel guilty about what we're doing. I can just put it in the back of my mind and deal with it on my way back. You bringing it up pretty much ruined this for me."
He looks on as she continues to pace around the room. He knows this is how she feels about this cabin. Hell, that is exactly how he feels also. However, it has gotten to the point where he needs answers. Every month he comes up here to meet up with her and they go on about their merry day as if everything is fine when in fact, it is the exact opposite. Life outside these walls is a mess for both of them and it is necessary for them to find some resolution. Given that this is one of the few times they are alone, it is the only opportunity they have to figure it out.
"I understand that Tori, I really do but after all these years I think it's time we make a decision. I'm not sure how much longer we're supposed to keep this up and ignore everything that happens once we leave. We're too old to keep this up don't you think?"
She stops pacing long enough to look at him. She sees how determined he is about this and knows that to some extent he is right, but she is not ready to talk about it. Talking about it would only reinforce her guilt and make her relationship with him seem wrong...more so than it already is.
"I just...let's do this another day okay?" she asks. Walking over to the chair where she set down her bag, she gets ready to leave. There is no way she can enjoy her time here now without thinking of how she's hurting everyone around her. Beck quickly walks over to her, determined to stop her and just have her talk to him.
"Stop, okay? Let's just figure it out now and that way we can still have fun the rest of the day" he says, taking her bag from her.
"Beck, this is a bad idea. I just want to leave. I can't sit here with you now and have a good time. It's just not possible. Maybe it's best if we just make this the last time and move on with our lives."
He looks dumfounded. This is not the response he expected from her. "Tori, you know that's not what you want. That's not what I want either. I can't imagine not being able to spend time with you, be here with you. Every month I count the days until I can get away from all my troubles and come here. Every time I see you out there I have to stop myself from telling you how much I want you, how much I love you. The time I spend here is amazing and I know you feel the same way which is why you come every month. So please don't tell me we should stop seeing each other because I know it's not what you really want."
Her heart melts at his words. He has managed to capture her feelings perfectly. She is filled with emotions at the realization that he feels the same about her and their time together. However, as she looks around the room, her guilt does not subside. She looks at him and his hopeful eyes tug at her heart.
'There's that damn internal conflict again' she thinks.
