I would have had this up yesterday but for some reason the site wouldn't allow me to upload any documents so blame FF for that.
Jade woke up early again and searched for Tori while she jogged. They crossed paths in the park once more and continued onto an almost identical repeat of the day before, minus a surprise heated make out session. Jade did get a kiss on the cheek before Tori left her at the door to the bookstore though. She walked in with a smile and Trina glared at her yet again. She greeted the older Vega with a wave and continued on, unperturbed, to meet up with the guys. Days passed with a similar routine. Jade was happy with the simplicity of it while the guys questioned her sanity. They were planning another heist after all and she was spending her spare time with a cop. She always just waved them away, too happy to care, so they shrugged it off. There was no use arguing with Jade. They knew from experience. The routine broke the day Jade returned home and stumbled across the stolen files she forgot in her desk drawer. She decided to see just how much the police knew about her. She opened the packed file and took a seat at the desk. She practically took the folder apart in her search. There was a lot of information to take in. She found pictures of her parents in disguise and uncovered files on her father that brought long buried memories to the forefront of her mind.
She remembered him teaching her skills she didn't understand. At the time she didn't know why she would need them. He gave her a wooden cane to play with as practice for when she grew up and wielded the family cane. It was a tradition. She hadn't really known that her father was prepping her to be a thief until after they died. It was in her blood, passed down from him. She was destined to carry on their legacy. Her dream since childhood held true and she became a master thief just like them. She dug through more files to find out her parents' murderers were in fact a group of criminals, far worse than her, who called themselves Talons. Her family had been stealing from them for a very long time, proving that a thief that could steal from another thief made them a master thief. It looked like they finally got the upper hand in the end. She was the last of her family so it was up to her to avenge them. She was fortunate to find that all five miscreants were listed with her files since they were tied to her family. Why they hadn't been caught yet was a mystery to her but she would make sure they paid for what they did.
The other thing that bothered her was that no one seemed to know her secret identity besides the guys, yet someone in the police force had an idea if they collected all that info on her. It made her feel vulnerable and ill at ease. She shelved the thought, shut the file, and brought it to Robbie so that he could pinpoint their first target's location. Andre gathered some extra supplies and packed up the van. They were scheduled to head out in two weeks, which gave Jade plenty of time to make up a story to tell Tori. The problem was, she couldn't. Not really. Every time she was given the chance she backed out. She came up with excuse after excuse every time she saw the beautiful Latina. Before she knew it there was only three days left. She was taking the day to avoid Tori when she unfortunately bumped into her the minute she returned home. She couldn't believe her luck. The universe must really disagree with her. She had spent all day out in a part of town no member of the police force would be caught dead out of uniform only to run smack into her at the end of the day. She was going out the back way, which meant she was trying to avoid her too. Tori looked away first after an uncomfortable amount of time passed between them. Jade cleared her throat and bit her lip before speaking but Tori suddenly cut her off.
"What's wrong with you? You've been so distant lately and now you're avoiding me," she accused. Jade's temper flared slightly.
"Me, avoiding you? You wouldn't be going out the back door if you weren't trying to avoid me too," she pointed out, mildly agitated.
"Well I wouldn't be avoiding you if you hadn't started to avoid me in the first place! I thought I did something wrong!" she snapped back.
"What in the world- Vega, it's nothing you did. I've just been…preoccupied," Jade responded hesitantly. She leaned on her right leg, arms at her sides, and looked away.
"What's wrong?" Tori asked her, voice softening. Jade closed her eyes at the sincere concern she heard. Why did she have to do something so stupid like falling for her enemy?
"I-I want to tell you, but…" she began. Tori put a hand on her hip and cocked it, her slender frame drawing Jade's eyes to the movement when they opened. She shook her head to rid herself of any distracting thoughts.
"But, what?" Tori questioned her.
"Can we meet up tomorrow night? I'll tell you everything. I promise," Jade replied, hoping she would accept. Tori stared at her a moment longer and then nodded.
"Ok, where?" she asked.
"The roof," Jade answered quickly.
"The roof? As in the top of this building?" she remarked, making sure that it was indeed what Jade said.
"Yeah, or do you not know how to get up there?" Jade challenged playfully, her voice dipping without her consent. Tori grinned and took a step closer, looking to wipe the smirk off Jade's face.
"Oh, I know how to get up there all right," she assured, pressing even closer to Jade. She still didn't know how Jade was able to get her angry one moment then relaxed the next but she didn't really mind.
"Good, then I'll see you there at eight. Don't be late," Jade teased, moving to walk away despite the crazy need to take Tori in her arms. Tori ruined her swift exit by snagging her by the lapels of her leather jacket and crushing their lips together before she had a chance to get away. Jade backed Tori into the brick wall behind them and devoured her mouth hungrily. She didn't know what she would do when the truth was finally out. She would definitely miss this. Tori's fingers buried in her raven locks and Jade's hands gripped at her waist possessively. Their lips and tongues carried on a few seconds more before Jade pulled away, breathless.
"You should get going before your sister catches us red handed," she panted. Tori shrugged and leaned in close enough for their noses to touch.
"Let her," she whispered, sending a shiver down Jade's spine. She let out an involuntary groan which Tori quickly swallowed with another kiss. The next time they parted Tori was the one to pull away. She caressed Jade's face, warmth in her brown eyes, and then walked away. Jade let her go without a word, taking the time to catch her breath. Being with Victoria Vega was like an adrenaline shot. She shook off her dazed expression and went inside where Andre and Robbie were jokingly harassing Trina who looked beyond wazzed.
"Jade, there you are! Tell these nuisances to get lost will you?" she addressed the unconcerned leader of the group.
"Why?" she questioned calmly, walking over to take a seat in Trina's chair and prop her boots on the desk. Trina frowned, pushed off her feet, and crossed her arms.
"Why not?" she retorted.
"Touché. I guess you win this round. Come on guys, leave the squawk box alone for today," Jade told them, gesturing for them to follow her. They snickered at Jade's comment while Trina stood there with an appalled expression. Jade walked backwards to aim a shrug at her, then continued upstairs. She burst into laughter with the guys the moment they were inside the door. That night Jade had a hard time sleeping. She had gotten too used to the routine she fell into and for once she wasn't looking forward to the thrill of a heist. It worried her. She didn't want to believe that the Inspector was to blame. She told herself it didn't mean anything, that she was using her, but she knew deep down that it was already too late. Being a thief herself she knew when something was stolen from her, but this time, she wasn't sure if she wanted it back. The next day brought last minute preparations. The gang was busy enough that time flew and Jade found herself perched on the edge of the roof waiting for Tori Vega to arrive. She looked out over the city and thought about their first stop on the list. Rodrick was a squat man located off the coast of a small town in Wales.
He grew up rich and well off, boring him enough to take up pirating. He grew addicted and began finding ways to cheat people out of their money. He owned his own island sized ship and mass produced boats filled with a crew that was guilty of sticky fingers. His men would return with whatever they pilfered and he would turn a pretty profit. He also held a clue to the location of the next member on the list. Where the police files held little information on them, Jade knew each member would have plenty of information on each other. The only reason they had a lead with this scumbag was the simple fact that everyone who ever wanted to sail for cheap knew Rodrick. Jade propped her chin in her hand, continuing to wait, when she heard footsteps. She perked up but remained seated. Tori's scent, warm with a hint of something sweet, drifted to her on the wind and she inhaled deeply. Tori herself took a seat next to Jade and didn't hesitate to intertwine their fingers. Jade looked down at their joined hands and then up at Tori.
"So you do know how to get up here," she observed with a small smile.
"I said I did, didn't I?" Tori replied confidently.
"Yeah, you did," Jade agreed with a nod, looking back at the city below.
"So where were you going?" Tori suddenly questioned. Jade almost snapped her neck with how quick she looked back at her.
"How did you know?" she asked, caught off guard.
"My father used to look the same way when he had to tell us he was being called away to help another department. He packed when we weren't around and had this sadly reluctant look in his eyes when he spent the last few days he had with us. You look just like him. Like you don't want to leave but you have a job to do," she explained, nostalgia and despondency coloring her voice. Jade squeezed Tori's hand and then used her free hand to gently turn Tori's face to hers.
"I am going away, but hopefully it won't be for long. I can't tell you where or why. I wish I could, but I can't. I just want to tell you that even though I have to go, I don't want to, because I'd rather stay here with you," she stated honestly. Tori's eyes softened and tears gathered. Her brows furrowed and then she looked away, pain in her features.
"Tori?" Jade questioned, concerned.
"God, I can't do this anymore. I can't let you go, pretending I don't know, and then have to do my own job. I just can't," she forced out through clenched teeth.
"What do you mean?" Jade asked, confused but paying close attention to the way her gut told her to stay alert.
"I can't believe I didn't just turn you in when I had the chance," Tori mumbled to herself, running a hand through her hair.
"You know who I am?" Jade exclaimed, jumping to her feet and backing away, ready to bolt. Tori got to her feet too.
"Yes. I've known for a while. Do you really think I'm too stupid to realize who you are just because you didn't have a piece of cloth covering your eyes? I would know those eyes anywhere. I would know that playful banter and quiet chuckle. I would know the way you look at me like you always have the upper hand, always so confident, but in the end I had the upper hand because I knew who you were and could have turned you in at any time. You couldn't hide from me even if you tried. I know you too well for that," she stated, her little speech doing things to Jade's heart that was painful, but in a good and bad way. Her mind raced, realizing how vulnerable she had been. Questions started pouring in and she voiced them.
"Why haven't you turned me in then? Was this agreed meeting some kind of trap? Are you here to turn me in now? Was it all a lie?" she demanded, clearly hurt.
"No!" Tori said with a shake of her head.
"Then why are you here?" Jade questioned. Tori shrugged and took a step closer. Jade leaned away but didn't move any more than that.
"I wanted to. I was hell bent on it actually, but when we spent time together and I got to know you, I-I don't know what happened. I didn't think about the obvious choice, that I had your real name and connected it with who you really are, that I could then finally turn you in. I would accomplish what no one could all because they hadn't gotten the opportunity I was given. But, I told myself to hold off. I figured that, if I got to know you better I could do some digging and find out more information on you. I did get information, but it wasn't the kind I was looking for," she explained.
"And what kind is that?" Jade asked, her voice strained with distrust.
"The kind that made me take a different interest in you. The kind that would shame my duties and get me in big trouble. The kind that proved I couldn't turn you in anymore," she confessed, her hands fidgeting with each other. Realization dawned on Jade and she looked to Tori with hope in her clear blue-green gaze.
"How can I trust you?" she asked, refusing to give in just yet. Tori slowly took a few steps more, placing a gentle hand on Jade's stomach.
"I would have already turned you in by now but I haven't," she answered. She reached up and carefully touched Jade's cheek. Jade leaned into it and brought her hand up to hold Tori's warm hand in place. She closed her eyes, perfectly shaped brows slanting down over her nose.
"I shouldn't," she muttered, her expression conflicted.
"I shouldn't either," Tori agreed but didn't move away.
"But you are," Jade said, opening her eyes to drown in Tori's brown orbs.
"So are you," she said in return. Jade let Tori's hand drop so that she could cup Tori's face in her hands.
"I know, but I already knew that for some time," Jade admitted, allowing a small smile.
"I did too," Tori admitted as well, twisting the front of Jade's open signature leather jacket in her fists. Jade let Tori tug her closer and then allowed her eyes to slide shut when Tori's lips graced hers. She kept a hand resting on Tori's jaw while the other found a place at her hip. She slipped around to press on the small of Tori's back after a few gentle kisses were exchanged. It brought Tori close enough to Jade that her senses were going haywire. She groaned into Jade's mouth and Jade rewarded her for the sound with her tongue snaking in. Tori's grip on Jade's jacket tightened as the kiss burned with passion. Tori pulled back to trail kisses across Jade's jaw and down her neck. Jade hummed her pleasure and nuzzled at Tori lovingly.
"What will you do when you go back?" she whispered, worried that Tori would lose the job she worked so hard for despite that job being to put her behind bars.
"I won't go back then," Tori replied simply, tilting her head so that Jade's tongue could taste the skin of her neck in a straight line that curved along her jaw before leaving her skin.
"But your father-" Jade breathed, only for Tori to kiss her into silence.
"My father would understand if he was still around," she said, her lips brushing Jade's with every word she said. Jade buried her head in the crook of Tori's neck, this time seeking comfort. She didn't want Tori to see the tears that welled up in her eyes. Tori didn't have to see them to know they were there because seconds later she felt them, warm on her shoulder. She held Jade to her, giving her the support she needed while Jade cried for the simple reason that she felt loved in a way she never thought she would, yet it came from someone that was a danger to everything she lived for. But also, this woman, this wonderful woman, would throw away her life's work so that she wouldn't lose the very person her life's work demanded be brought to justice. Tori understood so she stayed quiet and just rubbed Jade's back soothingly. The tough woman that she was and yet she had such a soft, sensitive side that Tori knew no one had fully seen yet. In that moment Jade let Tori see her true self, confident comebacks and an unbreakable smirk pushed aside.
"I think I love you, Vega," Jade mumbled against her skin, sending a shock through Tori with her words as well as the sensation it caused. She smiled and tightened her hold on Jade, unwilling to let her go the more time passed. Tori couldn't say she loved her back, but she was damn close enough as it was. Jade seemed to understand and didn't feel any less from Tori when the sentiment wasn't returned. Tori was grateful for that. The two spent the rest of their time lying next to each other and looking up at the stars. Jade pointed out all the constellations she knew of that they were able to see. It was hard to point them out in the middle of the city as most were washed out.
"One day we should go out to the mountains, just me and you, and go stargazing," Jade remarked, taking Tori's hand in hers and resting them on her stomach where her other hand rested over them. Tori smiled a small but appreciative smile.
"That sounds romantic," she replied with a sigh. Jade laughed and rolled her eyes.
"Sure. Me, romantic," she scoffed, her playful nature returning. Tori just shook her head with a fond smile.
"It's getting late. I need to get some sleep. We're heading out tomorrow night," Jade spoke carefully, still unsure about talking so openly with someone other than her fellow thieves concerning her lifestyle. Not to mention someone whose job it was to stop such activities.
"We-I…" Jade tried to begin, but stopped. Tori waited patiently, knowing it was hard for Jade. Finally, after a deep breath, she began again.
"Have you heard of the Talons?" Jade finally asked.
"Yes. They are a notorious gang of thieves that have done way worse than your band of merry men," Tori confirmed, throwing a joke in to lighten Jade's tension about the topic at hand. It worked, making Jade's stiff voice relax slightly.
"They were responsible for killing my parents. They've been in a feud with them for a long time, my father being a thief himself and his father before him, and so on," Jade explained.
"Fitting how you ended up doing what your father did, just as I did with my own father," Tori observed. Jade looked for a hint of disapproval but there was none hidden in Tori's words. She was only pointing out a simple fact.
"Yeah, well, I'm not sure if you cops ever noticed, but my family and I never steal just to be assholes or solely for personal gain. We don't steal from just anyone either. We mostly steal from other thieves to establish that we are the master thieves while at the same time taking from them what they have already taken from others," Jade clarified.
"Interesting, but no. We never saw it that way. You stole something from someone and it's our job to stop the crime," Tori responded.
"Figures, but this wasn't brought up to point fingers. What I'm trying to say is that my family was wronged by these people. In a cowardly way too, striking in their very home. I remember seeing it all from my hiding place. I was only eight. I never truly understood what it all meant until I found out on my own. I got the information I was looking for in those files I took and now I'm going to pay each and every one of them a visit," Jade said with an unwavering determination and certainty filled to the brink. Tori let the words bounce around in her head. The thief actually had a goal, one that even she had to admire. If she had information on the one who killed her father she wouldn't hesitate to seek them out. She sat up and looked down at Jade, trying to show her that she understood. Jade smiled and nodded.
"That's why I have to go," she concluded firmly, eyes settling on the faint stars above. Silence fell between them for a few minutes.
"Then I'll accept the new position," Tori told Jade. The master thief glanced at her before closing her eyes and nodding.
"Ok," she accepted quietly.
"But Jade…" Tori began, touching Jade's cheek to get her attention before continuing.
"Yeah?" Jade replied, opening her eyes.
"I'm done looking for Sly Cooper. I doubt anyone besides me can catch her anyway," she said with a playful grin. Jade laughed and wrapped her arms around Tori so that she could roll them over. She held herself up over Tori and then leaned in to brush noses with her.
"No, no one else can," Jade wholeheartedly agreed. She kissed Tori's temple and then brought her mouth to her ear.
"Thank you," she whispered. Tori slipped her arms around Jade and gazed into her eyes. She was a beautiful person, inside and out. Jade studied Tori in return, wondering how she was so lucky to find someone like her, and in the most unlikely place.
"I'd stupidly do anything for you," Tori grumbled, faking a pout.
"Why is that stupid?" Jade asked, knowing she was only joking.
"Because, what cop would fall for a criminal?" she pointed out.
"You, duh," Jade answered like she really was stupid. Tori growled and rolled them over so Jade was now under her. She pressed her hand into Jade's shoulders so she stayed down and used her strong legs to pin down Jade's body.
"I also think it's a stupid idea to cross me," she advised. Jade smirked, placing her hands on Tori's thighs, dragging them downward ever so slowly before traveling back up. Tori bit her lip, unknowingly driving Jade crazy.
"Don't I know it," Jade responded, her voice husky. Tori's reaction to her voice was to shiver, something Jade didn't miss. Tori slid her body down Jade's so that her lips could drop kisses along Jade's neck. The feeling of their bodies in contact added to the tender kisses coaxed a moan from deep in Jade's throat. It was Tori's turn to smirk as she kissed Jade's shoulder then pushed the collar of her jacket and shirt aside to start nipping at her porcelain skin. Jade gripped at Tori's hips, fighting the urge to press up into her body. Tori chuckled then bit down into Jade's smooth skin, gentle but still with enough pressure to make Jade squirm. It was bound to sport a blemish now with the way Tori's mouth began to suck at the sensitive skin. Jade pulled in a sharp breath, eyes squeezed closed, while she fought back the waves of arousal Tori awakened in her. She almost lost it right then and there. Her hands slid slowly over Tori's back, up and down, almost like an anxious twitch. It was really a way for Jade to stave off the need building in her. She couldn't bring herself to go that far yet. Not until after she finished her mission. She knew she wouldn't put her all towards the mission if all she could think about was the gorgeous woman on top of her right now.
"Tori…" she moaned, her left hand drifting higher than she meant to while the other moved down to grip Tori's hip. Tori deemed her mark satisfactory and then pulled back to look Jade directly in the eyes.
"Just giving you a going away present so you don't forget me," she said with a heated grin.
"I would never forget you," Jade replied truthfully. Her hand ran back up, stopping under Tori's bra and eliciting a gasp from her lips. Jade's gaze turned intense while her hand came down then back up, higher than before. Tori found herself arching into Jade's addicting touch. Sure, Jade wasn't going to go too far, but she still wanted to get back at Tori for getting her worked up while Tori remained so calm and collected. It was about time to change that. Both of her hands settled at Tori's hips now, her nails digging in ever so slightly. Her stormy eyes locked with Tori's darkened ones, a challenge written there. Jade accepted by grabbing Tori's behind in her hands and rolling her hips, bringing direct friction to the sensitive spot between Tori's legs. She moaned at the action and rocked back into Jade sinfully. Jade held back her own pleased moan, trying not to give in fully. It was like trying the most addictive drug in the world but being told that it could only be tried once. She wanted more so badly and by the look Tori was giving her, she wanted more too.
"Jade," she spoke softly, stoking the flames within her again.
"I can't," Jade denied, her tone almost painful with want. Tori shook her head, gripped Jade's shoulders for leverage, and brought her hips down again to meet Jade's wired body. She did moan this time, unable to hold it in.
"You mean you shouldn't," Tori corrected her.
"I shouldn't," Jade repeated, gripping Tori by the back of her neck to pull her closer so that her mouth could taste the tan skin. She bit and sucked, loving the sounds Tori made in response.
"But you can," Tori groaned while Jade left her own mark. She shoved Tori over at those words and trapped her under her body which rippled with desire and lust. She brushed aside a strand of brown hair and then rested her hand on Tori's cheek.
"Does a lowly raccoon deserve a beautiful fox?" Jade wondered tauntingly with a small smile, dragging her finger down Tori's pulse point.
"We both have the potential to stray from our rightful paths, ringtail. If we work together, I'm sure we can find a path worth sharing," Tori responded, her words meaning more than they did at face value. Jade nodded and then brought her lips to Tori's. Their bodies fit together so easily and Jade growled low in her throat when Tori's hands moved to slip under the back of her shirt. Her caress left trails of fire over her skin. Tori let herself melt into Jade who parted from her to travel back down her neck. A nip to a sweet spot had Tori arching into Jade. She instinctively pressed back into Tori which then made her fingers clench and drag down Jade's pale back. She hissed at the pain, biting harder into Tori. Jade forced herself to stop before they could get too carried away. Her grip on Jade relaxed so that her hands rested at the small of Jade's back instead. Jade's warmth settled around her, comforting in the best way. A tender kiss pressed to her neck, under her jaw, and then on her lips.
"Affectionate. I like it," Tori approved. Jade just smiled happily and relaxed into Tori's embrace. They didn't plan on going anywhere anytime soon so they almost slept the night away up on the roof, too comfortable to move, but Jade remembered how busy she would be tomorrow and mentioned how it wouldn't help being sore from sleeping on a hard surface. Neither wanted to part, but with one last kiss and an exchange of loving words, they did so. Jade returned inside feeling a clash of warring emotions. She didn't dwell on them and instead focused on getting a good sleep with the time she had left. She fell into bed and knocked out, snoring heavily for the first time in a very long time.