Haven…
This is an AU fic, I'm trying something different, it starts out a bit slow, but give it a chance, it will pick up…
Disclaimer: These two Victorious ladies might be the hottest thing on the planet at the moment but they do not belong to me…
The small chill crept through the thick layer of her clothes as she treaded through the busy street. Unconsciously her glove clad hands rubbed her elbows as her mind was far away, lost in its own misery. The small white cloud of her breath fogging her path. Not that she knew where she was headed. She might have been back home but she always felt so lost in its parallel. With the cold getting too much for her thin blood to handle, she followed the sound of warm music and light emitting from the casual bar across the street. The sounds of music always able to draw her to its source and radiate her blood to a higher calling. She reached the large wooden door, using a great deal of her strength to heave the heavy door open, the music, happy chatter and warm air blasting her. Her mouth drew in a thin smile as she pulled of her gloves, stuffing it in her coat pocket, pulling her hood down and running a hand through her raven hair.
It seemed so packed for a cold night, she thought ruefully. Her eyes scanned the crowd that consisted mostly of middle age workers, and college students. Her smirk broke out further as she saw the stage with the small live band and yet the open mike. Probably one of those Cherokee joints she mused. Reaching the bar, she signaled the keep, waiting patiently. Eventually the graying Irish man stopped in front of her sizing her up with a raised eyebrow.
"What will ye be having?" He asked in his brogue, clearly a foreigner.
"Just a beer." Jade said her head down. Frankly she hated the stuff but she needed something to warm her up. She figured she could nurse it before she was forced to go home.
"Might I see your I.D?"
Unfazed by the question, Jade dug into her coat dragging out her purse. Scanning through a bunch of cards she pulled out her fake I.D, courtesy of Beck. She handed it to the man, unable to hold his gaze since this was the first time she ever used it. The man frowned as he scanned the I.D briefly before handing it back to her accompanied by her mug of beer.
Twirling her finger around the rim of the finger gathering a bit of foam, she closed her eyes as the beat of the instruments started up. Then she heard it. Her eyes popped open as if she was trying to make out what it was. Who it was. Her head straining uncomfortably in search of the source of the powerful voice emitting in the room. The crowd of people went silent as the voice went through the room, like a dagger through her heart. Hopping of her seat she craved the face of the tormenting voice that burnt through her veins, sintering her ability to breathe. Never had she felt so affected by such beauty in one person's voice. Finally peeking through the sea of bodies she caught the figure. Her eyes remained memorized on the painted lips that moved gently to the rhythm of the music. The messy long brunette hair draped over the mystery singers face. Yet she could not avert her eyes, even as the music died down. With the final whisper, the crowd roared in ecstasy bringing Jade out of her daze. She shuffled with the moving mass, trying to keep the woman in view. Then as the woman lifted her head, a warm smile on her beautiful face that briefly penetrated through Jade pinning her to the dirty wooden floor. Then the beautiful brunette haired woman on stage was replaced by handsome African American man, with a contagious smile.
"Give it up for the birthday girl, Tori Vega." Andre slurred into the mike getting a huge cheer from the crowd. "Now I must ask, if there are any brave souls out there willing to challenge this vocal goddess?"
Tori shook her head, annoyed that she was already conned into a night of fun by her already drunk best friend. "Get off the stage, you nut…" She yelled drawing a few laughs from the crowd.
"C'mon Tori, Lighten up, it's your birfday… let's make it fun." Andre whined on stage, catching a few ladies attention giving them his signature wink.
Still shaking her head, Tori jumped back onto stage slinging Andre's arm around her shoulder, pulling him with. "I think you had too much fun for one night, pal. Say goodnight…"
"Gooood niiiight…." Andre waved to the people at the bar, signaling to one of the woman placing his forefingers to his ear and mouthing call me.
Tori rolled her eyes wondering what on earth possessed to agree to this. She was perfectly fine sitting at home, in front of her piano, a glass of red wine with Smurf sleeping at her feet. Andre had drilled it into her head that she was way too young to spend birthdays on her own doing as he had said were 'sad old people shit.' She hadn't really been out since Kelly. So tired of letting it get to her, at a tender age of twenty-four, she had agreed to be stupid on a night out in the town. Dropping the big oaf into the booth with a big thud, she decided to call a cab when she heard the small voice slink through the room.
"I'd like to try…" Jade stood at the mike, no idea how she managed to get there. No idea what she was doing there? She swallowed seeing dozens of curious eyes, her heart beat drumming in her head. Until she was startled by a band member.
"Lady, what do you want to sing?" He asked tuning his guitar, his leather jacket glinting in the harsh stage light.
Jade stared at him as if he was speaking a foreign language, her nerves getting the better of her. She turned back to the mass of people who had stopped what they were doing to watch her. Her vision started to blotch until she hesitated when she was caught by those striking smile again. She sucked in a breath and closed her eyes not sure if she could hold that powerful gaze another second without throwing up. Placing her fingers at the charm on her necklace, she rubbed it between them as if to draw strength from the inanimate object. "Never say never…" She whispered loud enough for the band to hear.
They nodded as the man at the piano started the introduction drawing out the notes slow and languid. Jade's eyes remained shut yet she could still feel the heated gaze of someone in particular, clearing her throat , she got lost in the flow of the music disappearing completely from the bar. Her nerves dissipating when the first word left her tongue.
Some things we don't talk about
Rather do without
And just hold the smile
Falling in and out of love
Ashamed and proud of
Together all the while
Tori arched a brow as the words of the song caressed the walls of the room like velvet, so smooth, so rich in talent. She watched with pursed lips as each note was hit almost perfectly, her eyes fixed on the crazy beautiful stranger.
You can never say never
While we don't know when
But time and time again
Younger now than we were before
Don't let me go
Don't let me go
Don't let me go
[x2]
Picture, you're the queen of everything
As far as the eye can see
Under your command
I will be your guardian
When all is crumbling
To steady your hand
Jade's brows furrowed her face hard with emotion, her head gone and her heart in the song. Her hand sliding up against the mike stand whiles the other still rubbing the charm at her neck.
You can never say never
While we don't know when
Time, time, time again
Younger now than we were before
Don't let me go
Don't let me go
Don't let me go
[x2]
Tori couldn't explain why her throat stung, she felt the great melancholy over the truth of the words sang from the brunette. She couldn't explain the storm of conflicting emotions she was feeling.
We're pulling apart and coming together again and again
We're growing apart but we pull it together, pull it together, together again
Don't let me go
Don't let me go
Don't let me go
[x4]
Jade whispered the last verse of the chorus, a lone tear gliding across her cheek as the music died down. Her eyes opened gleaming red to remember where she was, seeing the unfamiliar faces in the bar staring at her with a sense of awe. "Thank you…" She murmured her voice hoarse from the excess strain. Suddenly the crowd broke into cheers and whistles bringing a tiny smirk to her face as she stepped off the small stage, hand still on her charm.
Tori was brought out of her trance by the sudden roar, blinking a few times. Her eyes following the unknown woman until she disappeared through the door, feeling an unexplainable pang in her stomach. Just as she was about to follow her instinct, she heard a loud snore coming from their booth. Turning her head, an amused smirk fixed on her face. Shaking her head for the umpteenth time, she leaned down gently tapping Andre's dark cheek, his eyes opening a bit. "C'mon sleeping beauty, let's go home.
"Don't wanna…" He mumbled snuggling into the fade red leather seats of the booth.
The brunette let out a low chuckle. "God, your quite a catch, I can see why woman go crazy over you." She rolled her eyes when he mumbled something unintelligent. Grabbing his hand she pulled his arm over her shoulder. "C'mon big guy, a little help here." She huffed as she heaved him up, a big goofy smile plastered on his face.
"Tori?" He shouted into her ear.
"Right here, hotshot…" She flinched.
"Tori?" He laid his head against her shoulder.
"Hmmm?" She asked as she tried to maneuver through the large amounts of people.
"Will you have sex with me?" Andre mumbled in a child-like voice.
"Nope." She said as she managed to reach the bar. She signaled the bartender with a strained smile, trying to keep Andre's almost deadweight up. "Hey Murphy, just charge our orders to this one's tab." She patted Andre's cheek good naturedly.
Murphy grinned at the state of one of his favourite cheery drunk customers. "Taking advantage of the drunk, Miss Vega are ye?"
Tori chuckled. "Naturally… See you around Murphy."
The Bartender nodded. "Nite, Miss Vega."
Tori and Andre stepped out of the warm bar into the biting cold. Andre's shivers audible in her ears. "T-Tori?" His teeth clattered.
"Hmmm?" She asked checking her watch, waiting for their cab.
"Why won't you have sex with me?" Andre whined like a child.
"Mostly… Because I'm gay. But I'm sure I can think of other reasons." She didn't pay attention to his drunken antics as if it were a natural conversation. She learnt it was better just go along with it a long time ago.
"But if you weren't gay?" He chimed in.
"Yeah sure…" She rolled her eyes and sighed in relief when she spotted the cab heading their way. The cold seemed to be eating her straight to the bone. Even after being here for a year she didn't think she would ever fully get used to the cold.
"Yes!" Andre lamely executed a fist punch into the air. "Tori?"
"Hmmm?" She said as she opened the door to the yellow car.
"When are you going to stop being gay?"
"Probably in my next life…Or the one after that."
"Huh… I can't wait that long." He shook his head vigorously getting slightly dizzy.
"That's too bad… Now in you go, pal." She deposited him into the backseat, smiling at the driver. "Hey Pablo."
"Good evening Miss. Vega." The Latino taxi driver smiled at her. That's what happened in small towns, everyone nearly knew everyone. At first it was unnerving considering she lived in California most of her life. But you get used to it, enjoying the comfort of it. "Fun night?" He asked wiggling his brows at a half snoring Andre.
"Too much fun and how many times must I tell you it's Tori, Pablo?"
He grinned scratching the back of his head. "Right Miss. Ve- Tori." Just as the brunette leaned down she caught something in the corner of her eye that made her freeze. Staring at the figure she realized that she was staring right back at her with those piercing blue eyes. She could explain what they were doing to her but she felt drawn to their potency. Barely tearing her gaze away, she leaned her head into the car. "Hey Pablo, could you get this one home?" She pointed at Andre who was knocked out. "At least through the door. I'll give you an extra twenty."
"Yes ma'am. But what about you?" He asked, his brow rose in concern.
Her eyes strayed back to the stranger that hadn't averted her gaze once then she looked back at the cab driver. She swallowed the thickness that gathered in her throat. "Don't worry about me." She handed him the money and shut the door. Her hands automatically dipping into her coat pockets, her breathing coming out in white puffs as she crossed the road. Her mind screaming at her for not going home but for some reason her feet were drawn to the mystery raven haired woman.
Jade watched carefully as the beautiful woman walked towards her, the intensity in those warm brown eyes something else. Leaning against the old bank building she waited, their gaze never breaking once. Then Tori stood in front of her, a friendly shy smile creeping on her face. Jade stood up straight suddenly, looking around her to see if maybe she was blocking someone else behind her. Then turned back. "Hi…" Tori smiled. Jade just watched curiously, stunned by the brilliance of the smile. Silence… Tori raised a brow when the woman just stared at her. Shuffling her feet, she spoke. "You know, I might have bought that you didn't understand English, if you weren't singing so beautifully inside like two minutes ago." She grinned. "So, why don't we try this again… Hi, I'm Tori." She held out a glove.
Jade stared at the hand before her brain started working again. SHIT! Idiot! "Jade." She looked into Tori's eyes as she took her hand, shaking. "My name is Jade."
"Jade…" She tasted the name on her lips, deciding she liked it. "It suits you…"
Jade nodded, her hand resting on her charm. "My mother seemed to think so too…"
"Ah, some mothers are so wise." Tori grinned when a small smile graced the raven haired woman's face. "You have an amazing voice by the way…"
Jade averted her eyes slightly. "Thanks, but I have heard better."
"Oh really… Where?"
"A small bar close by." Jade smirked, her head slanted slightly. "You might have heard her, she was on before me…"
Tori smiled slowly. "I happen to know exactly who you are talking about."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah but I'm almost certain she would disagree with you…"
"Well, it's not like you can know for sure…" Jade shrugged and Tori chuckled.
"So I was wondering?" Tori tilted her head, her eyes dancing with humor.
"Hmmm?"
"Do you like holding my hand?"
"What?" Jade's brows drew in confusion. Tori dropped her gaze to their still joined hands. Jade's eyes following suit realizing she was still holding Tori's hand. She swiped it away quickly, her cheeks burning up against the coolness of the air. "Jeez! I'm sorry…"
Tori just laughed and waved her off, a bit sad to lose the contact. "No, it's okay. It happens all the time."
"Really?" Jade asked, a bit flustered.
"Not really." The brunette laughed sweetly. Jade wishing there was a car she could run in front right now. They both just stared at each other suddenly feeling awkward. "Um, well it was nice to meet you Jade." Tori smiled.
"Um, you too..." Jade shuffled her feet. Tori taking that as her cue to leave, smiled one last time, and nodded. She turned around not sure what was happening, usually she could hold her own on conversations. But she hadn't exactly walked up to a perfect stranger before. Her hands in her pocket she was about to cross the road. "Wait!"
Tori halted and turned back swiftly to find her staring straight into clear blue eyes so close to her."Yes?"
Jade tilted her head, stuffing her own hands in her pocket."Well, I was about to take a walk around the park..." She nudged her head towards the bridge that lead towards the large landscape. She knew it was crazy but she didn't want the night to end until it had to.
The brunette adjusted her gaze to that direction and then back to the raven haired woman. "In the cold?" She said with question in her tone.
"Well yeah..." She shrugged.
Tori pursed her lips and then nodded."You're insane, aren't you?"
Jade chuckled and then smiled sheepishly. "It has been said a time or two..."
"Hmmm...Well okay."
"Wait, did you just agree to joining me or on my sanity level?"
"Perhaps both..." Tori smiled.
Jade just smirked as they both made their way to the old stone cobble bridge. Tori pulled her scarf tighter and then blew out a white puffy breath. "Not used to the winter?"
"Can anyone get used to this?" Tori stared at the raven haired woman incredulously.
"I guess if you are born here." Jade shrugged.
"You were born here?"
"Yeah a long time ago..." Jade couldn't help the small sad smile that ghosted around her lips.
Tori considered the woman next to her, nudging her playfully. "C'mon it can't be that long..."
Jade stumbled a little. "Feels like another lifetime ago though." She said wistfully.
Tori glanced at sad blue eyes for a moment before she caught flashing lights in the corner of her eyes. Her eyes grew large. "Wow, it's so huge!"
Jade turned in that direction, chuckling at the 25 foot Christmas tree. "You say that like you haven't seen a Christmas tree before."
"Not one this huge, up close." Tori chuckled at the incredulous glare she got from the raven haired woman. "I live a very sheltered life, it's sad, I know."
"So then I guess you don't know about the Christmas tradition involving this particular tree." Jade added.
"Nope, I'm fairly new to this town." Tori admitted, her glove clad hands caressing the lower branches of the tree.
"Well, every year, Christmas eve, the whole town gets together and put about hundreds of presents under it for the orphanages. It's pretty cool, like a winter wonderland." Jade smiled recalling her own memories of them.
"Wow, sounds amazing…" Tori imagined what it would be like, never having a real Christmas before.
"You have no idea." Jade stared at the star on the top of the tree, her chest hurting a little. "This little town is just filled of traditions." She said almost pensive.
"Tell me another." Tori asked generally interested.
"Well the most stupid one involves mistletoe." Jade grinned. "If you get caught under it with someone you have to kiss that person-"
Tori interrupted with a chuckle, her eyes tearing up. "Hate to burst your bubble Jade, but I'm pretty sure the mistletoe tradition is universal. Not only in this town."
Jade grinned shaking her head. "You never let me finish."
Tori's laugh gradually died down. "Oh sorry, continue…"
"Well they say that if it happens by accident, you two are destined to be soul mates." Jade scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Pretty lame…"
"I take it, you don't believe in it." Tori mused, circling the tree, Jade on her heels, hands tucked in her pocket.
"It's not that." Jade shook her head. "I mean who accidently stumbles across mistletoe. People just use it as an excuse to make out."
"People need an excuse to make out?" Tori laughed.
"My point exactly. It's like Valentine's day." She rolled her eyes. "Why commercialize love?"
"So you don't like mistletoes and Valentine's day." The brunette grinned. "Anything else I should know?" She asked as she turned around bumping into Jade, losing her footing on the ice surface. Jade reacted swiftly, her arms wrapping around the brunette's waist, keeping her upright, flush against her. Tori's eyes shut tight as her fingers dug into Jade's shoulders.
"Careful…" Jade whispered, blowing a moist white cloud into Tori's face.
Tori's eyes opened slowly to be struck by the clear blue with a slight hint of green, she could feel her pulse racing. "Sorry, I didn't realize you were following so close." She managed to say, a bit hazed.
"My fault." Jade murmured, their breath mingling.
Tori was unable to tear her gaze away. "You're eyes have a bit of green in them." She said in awe. Jade unsure what she should do she was pinned in her position by wandering brown eyes. Then Tori's eyes seemed to be fixed slightly above them. Jade's brows drew as she followed the brunette's gaze to the mistletoe above them. Then the next thing Jade knew was that her mouth was on Tori's soft cold one. Lips brushing teasingly slow against each other in a languid kiss that seemed to take them both by surprise.
Jade's mind finally found some function when she released Tori's lips with a slight nip. She opened her eyes stunned at her actions. She couldn't formulate any coherent thoughts as she looked at Tori's just as shocked expression. "I…I'm, I mean I don't even know if you're…" Jade's voice was laced with panic, her arms dropping to her sides. "God, I'm sor-" Was all she managed before Tori's lips were back on hers. The brunette's mind seemed to blank out as her arms snaked around the raven haired woman's neck, drawing the kiss deeper. Jade catching on fast as her arms settled on Tori's hips, her mouth opening invitingly. A tongue slipping into her mouth to duel gently with her own. Tori couldn't explain what had come over her, she just felt an unexplainable need, letting it take over her mind, her body. Suddenly there was a ringing, bringing them both out of their momentary trance. They pulled apart as Jade dug into her pocket pulling her cellphone. She cursed when she saw the caller I.D. "Shit! I have to go…" She said in her rush.
"Wait, what?" Tori yelled, baffled, her body suddenly feeling colder than it had been the whole night as she stared at the raven haired woman who left in jog.
"I have to go…" Jade shouted over her shoulder, regret in her tone.
"Okay…" Tori whispered, hugging herself. Her eyes dropped to the ground as she turned around, walking towards the opposite exit of the park.
"Tori!" The brunette halted when she heard her name shouted through the wind, she turned back seeing Jade standing on the other cobble bridge. "Happy birthday…" Tori smiled, then the raven haired woman disappeared from her view.
Tori walked back with a sad smile on her face, thinking she probably wouldn't see Jade again. "That will teach you to kiss beautiful strangers in a park, in the middle of winter." She muttered to herself, shaking her head. "At least it's something I can tick off my to-do list." She chuckled ruefully. She stared up at the cloudy night's sky. "I mean seriously God, I can't be that bad. This one leaves before she even gets to know me." Tori sighed as she signaled a cab…
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jade sprinted through the thick forest, branches and bushes brushing against her as she maneuvered her way through. Finally seeing road up ahead she slowed down, her throat burning as she pulled in the biting cold air. She stuffed her hands in her pockets, her shoulders slumped as she made her way to the house with the picket fence across the street. Before she could even open the gate a redhead burst through the door, tightening the ropes on her robe. "God, Jade where have you been!"
Jade stared at her young aunt who looked like she was going to explode. "Out…"
"Out?" Cat stared at her niece in amazement. She couldn't help but let out a small hysterical chuckle, shaking her head. "Out?"
Robbie stepped out onto the porch, leaning against the frame of the door. "Ah, so she is back."
The redhead stared out at her husband. "Do you know where she has been?"
Robbie's brow arched. "Where?"
"Out…" Cat pinched the bridge of her nose.
Jade's own anger rose at the patronizing behavior. "Yeah I was out, so what's the big deal?"
"What's the big deal?" Cat lifted her gaze fury taking over. "What's the big deal? The big deal is I go into your bedroom in the middle of the night to find an empty bed with you nowhere in sight! No one knows where you are because you didn't bother to inform anyone that you are going OUT. I mean God, Jade you didn't even leave a note."
"Okay, so next time I'll leave a note." Jade shrugged, crossing her arms over her chest.
"This is not about the goddamn note! How could you be so irresponsible?" The redhead waved her hands in the air. "I mean what would your parents have thought?"
"Nothing! Because they are dead, and they are never coming back!" Jade shouted back, her eyes hard. "So they can't think anything okay! They are dead!" Her voice broke. "They are dead…"
Cat's glare softened, her heart hurting, her eyes glistening. "I lost them too, Jade. I lost them too..." Tears escaped from the redhead as she brushed past her husband into the house, slamming the door behind her, causing Jade and Robbie to flinch behind her.
Jade's eyes dropped to the floor, feeling like crap. "I screwed up."
"Yup." The brunette man walked over to the porch swing, taking a seat. When Jade looked up, he patted the seat next to him. Resigning with a sigh she joined him. They sat in silence for a moment. "You know Jade, they were like her parents too." When she said nothing, he continued. "Your mother was more of a mother to her than a sister because of the big age gap. And your father was a great man, he had no problem when Cat went to live with them, in fact he treated her like his own. Most people thought Cat was theirs too, you know." He smiled remembering. "I remember how nervous I was when I had to meet them, the way Cat spoke of them."
"Really?" She asked.
"Really, I was practically shaking because I knew if I couldn't get their approval, Cat would have dropped me like a hot potato."
"She should have dropped you for coming up with lines like that." Jade grinned.
Robbie nudged her playfully also grinning. "Yeah, yeah, yeah… Anyway what I'm trying to say is that you may think that Cat is strong and unfazed by your parent's death, but she's not. She is hurting just as much as you, Jade. But she is able to wake up every day because of you." Jade just stared at him. "I wish it was because of me, but it's not. When she looks at you, she sees your mother, she sees her best friend and she sees the niece that she loves desperately."
She felt more like crap, staring out at the garden. "I'm sorry."
Robbie smiled. "I know you are, kiddo. But I'm not the one you should be apologizing to."
She nodded as she rose. "Thanks Robbie."
"Anytime kid…"
She halted before she entered the house. "I still think you are a dork though." She grinned.
Robbie grinned back. "And I still think you are a lesbian." She chuckled at their usual joke, shaking her head as she went inside.
So that was chapter 1, hmmm?
Should I continue?
Let me know…
Review!