Disclaimer: Victorious. I found it after a long, perilous search, only a filthy map clenched in my cold, clammy hands. But Dan Schneider got to it first.

I'm terrible with directions.

Jade slung her bag over her shoulder, fingers hooked around the dark strap. The whole day had been a bust. And it was all Tori's fault. She glanced at the tanned girl who trailed slightly behind her, brushing something off her grey top. Well, it was just easier to blame Tori. Not only had their little stunt failed to get them featured more on The Wood, they'd gotten the producers kicked out of the school. It wasn't her fault the Grub Truck guy owned such a terrible car. Plus he'd made them sing for him, and Tori had been off-key. Jade took pleasure in pointing that out. But at least they were done, and Festus was home. Unfortunately, Tori seemed intent on following Jade on the walk back home. Jade sighed, fingers tightening on the black bag strap. Just one foot in the front of the other, and it'd be over... she had to admit though, losing the show had stung. She had a chance to be famous, and she'd lost it. Sure, there'd be other chances, but that one was quick and easy. It would've gotten her out there at least.

Tori screamed as a van screeched to a halt next to them, brown leather bag swinging into Jade's lower back. Jade rolled her eyes, turning to the dark van. The side slid open, revealing the producers of The Wood. "Hey guys, we were just... you know, driving around Hollywood, looking for a new school... and..."

The other producer, Mick, butted in, pushing Kyle aside. "And they were terrible."

Kyle shot Mick an annoyed glance before speaking to the girls again. "And then we saw you two." He grinned, rubbing his hands together. "Now, we know we can't film on your school grounds anymore, but we can still film you two."

Mick winked at them. "What do you say, girls, wanna be famous?"

Jade shared a glance with Tori. "What do we have to do?"

Kyle gestured vaguely, climbing out the van, Mick and a couple of camera guys following him. "Oh, you know, the same sorta stuff you girls did before. Catfights, property destruction... something wild. Give our viewers something good, something outrageous."

Jade's eyebrows dragged down, stud glinting in the fading sunlight, mouth pouting. She glanced over at Tori, wondering what she could do with the girl that would titillate viewers. The problem was, Tori wasn't great at taking instructions. Jade vaguely wished Cat was here; she'd do whatever you said, but she was still away. What could Jade do that would top the other stuff? She scrolled down her mental checklist. Yup, she'd fought with Tori... she'd vandalised that car with Tori... what else could she do with Tori? She thought back over all the other teen reality shows she'd grimaced her way through. What did every teenager want to see? A sly smile spread across her face. "Roll the cameras."

Kyle gestured to the cameramen, the boom operator lifting the grey, furry boom over Jade and Tori.

Tori had a smile spread across her face, turning away from the producers to face Jade, wide smile dropping. "What are we doing?" She said in a hushed voice, glancing back at the producers with a reassuring smile.

"Just go with it."

Tori's brow wrinkled in confusion. "Go with what-"

"Are you filming?" Jade called out, cutting Tori off.

Kyle gave them a thumbs-up, moving closer to the camera man.

Tori was still confused as Jade's hand grabbed her face, pulling her close. What was Jade doing? Were they fighting again, or-

Jade's lips derailed Tori's train of thought, crushing against her mouth. Jade was... she was... and Tori was... Her eyes had closed automatically, shutting down with her brain. Her hands twitched as she started to unfreeze, becoming aware of Jade's hands on her face, surprisingly warm, pressing against her cheek, one tangled in her brunette hair. Jade's slim body, radiating heat against Tori's. Jade's waist, which Tori's hands had circled around instinctively, but most of all; Jade's lips, soft and warm and melding against her own, kissing her so passionately, and Jade's lips wouldn't stop moving, so insistent, and Tori tried to say something, to push Jade away. All that came out was a moan, hands pulling Jade closer. Tori hoped, somewhere in the quiet, back part of her mind, that this was Jade's plan, that this was just a show, and that she'd just think Tori was playing along. She hoped that Jade hadn't figured out how she really felt about her.

When Tori had first started, it'd been Beck who'd caught her attention, who'd made her heart flutter for a moment, but it was Jade, with her taunts, her insults, that set Tori's heart racing, and Tori's interest in Beck had cooled. There was something about Jade... the way she just didn't care, the way it was so hard to get close to her, that made Tori want to try. To get Jade to care. And before she'd known it, it'd developed into a crush. She found herself trying to impress Jade, doing things for her, despite the fact that she didn't care, that she dismissed Tori as much as ever. Every little thing, a touch, a hug... had meant so much, because these were things that Jade didn't let anyone but Beck do. Tori had enjoyed the week spent with Jade, coming up with ideas for The Wood, being part of a team with her. Being with Jade made her feel wild, made her feel crazy, like things were rushing and blurring and she was screaming, heart racing. It was like being on a rollercoaster, and Jade kissing her dragged her to the highest pinnacle, teetering over that long drop down. And Tori was just about to drop, the wheels of her cart pushing over the edge, when Jade pulled back, turning away from her to look at the camera guys. "How's that?"

Mick gave a thumbs up, Kyle grinning. "Great job guys. This'll definitely grab some interest."

Mick nodded. "Very nice." They exchanged looks, smirking, Kyle gesturing to the cameramen to pack up.

Tori watched dazedly, still feeling the ghost of Jade's lips, tongue swiping out over her lips absentmindedly. Vanilla. She hadn't picked Jade for vanilla.

"Give us a call if you think of anything else. Here's our card." Mick handed the glossy rectangle of cardboard to Jade before climbing back into the van, door sliding shut with a whoosh and a click, engine rumbling as they departed.

Jade scanned the card briefly before slipping it into her bag. "You coming?" She called out over her shoulder, adjusting the strap of her bag again.

Tori blinked, hands flexing loosely. "What? Oh, right."

"We're going to your place, right?"

Tori blinked again, her brain sluggish, thoughts slowly sparking. "Uh... yeah. My mom'll give you a ride home."

Jade's eyebrows dipped down as she looked at Tori, noticing the girl's dazed expression. "What's up with you, Vega?"

"Hmm?" Tori shook her head. "We should go, it's getting dark."

Jade raised a sharp, studded eyebrow, shrugging. "Lead the way. It's your house." She gestured in front of her, Tori moving hesitantly.

Tori chewed her lip, the action only serving as a reminder. She knew it was just for the show, but still... couldn't Jade have asked her, or warned her, or something? She trudged along, feeling self-conscious. It wasn't that she didn't trust Jade behind her... no, actually, it was that. She didn't trust her at all. Certainly not now. She could feel Jade's eyes on her, those sharp, green eyes, that were actually quite nice when they weren't glaring at you. Did she... could Jade feel it? Did Tori respond too much, or... was it in the tightness of her hands... was- she moaned. Was it the moan? How was she going to explain this to Jade? This was the exactly the kind of thing she'd use against Tori. Oh god, it was going to be on television. Everyone would see. Everyone would know.

A muscle under Tori's eye twitched. No, no, she was overreacting, it was nothing. Jade had just... and she hadn't... it was fine. How could you even tell from a kiss? It was ridiculous. She'd just been surprised, that's all. Tori... Tori hadn't been expecting that, though in retrospect, it was kind predictable. It was the reality television trifecta. Fight, break the law, kiss. It was over now, anyway... at least until the show came out. That's what Tori told herself as her house came into sight, the streetlights spilling pools of cold light along the pavement.

Tori's steps slowed. Something about her house wasn't right... why weren't any lights on? Her face dropped as she rummaged in her brown leather bag for her phone. 1 new message. Of course.

"Hey Sis, mom and dad are taking me out for dinner, since I got that audition in Bakersfield. Love ya. PS. I took your red blouse."

Tori's fingers tightened around her phone, case making a small cracking noise. The audition was open call! Trina didn't... she didn't even- Tori took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, plastering an apologetic smile on her face as she reached the bottom of her driveway, turning to Jade. "Um, so... my parents aren't home... and neither is Trina." Tori laughed nervously, gravel grating in her throat as she swallowed.

Jade's expression was stony before she sighed, rummaging around in her black bag. "I'll just call Beck."

Tori's mouth twisted. "Do... do you want to come inside while you're waiting?"

Jade shook her head, pulling out her phone. "I'll wait out here. Thanks."

Tori shrugged. At least Jade wasn't acting any differently towards her. She turned away from Jade, walking up the drive to her house, keys jingling in her hand. It obviously didn't mean anything to Jade, so Tori wouldn't let it mean anything to her either. Her crush was just a silly crush, only there because Jade was so hard to reach, so hard to get to. Tori liked a challenge... she only wanted Jade because she couldn't have her, and now she'd had her... well, kissed her... well, been kissed by her. So she could forget about it now. Tori's key turned in the lock, hand turning the cool doorknob. She'd reached Jade, she could let it go. Simple.

A/N: Well, this is new territory for me... new, strange territory that has an odd smell, like when you drive somewhere and then you climb out of your car and it's like WHOA, WHAT'S THAT? ROTTING BABY ASS GARBAGE? But then you get used to it, and it's actually kind of nice, and then the same thing happens when you go back home, and you're never sure which one is really rotting baby ass garbage. Or maybe it's you... maybe you need a shower.

So please review, and I'll get cracking on chapter two.