Speak Up

Disclaimer: I own nothing

A/N: This oneshot is a serious oneshot, and I do want to get a message through it so there's something I will leave in the author note at the end.

-SAY SOMETHING-

Upon arriving at the house, Tori stormed inside first and Cat followed the other sister in. Their friends were sitting around the kitchen table as though they never left, despite all the time that passed. David and Holly were on the couch. Also at the couch, but standing behind, was Gary. His firm hand was on David's shoulder and his lips were stretched out in a thin line.

Holly stood up, her hands moved up around her tear stained face and she reached out to Trina. "My baby." Trina looked startled as her mother approached and threw her arms around her. "Sweetheart." Holly pulled her daughter in, sobbing hysterically.

Gary had been on duty in Los Angeles when the news reached the police there about there being a possible jumper on the bridge in San Francisco. When he found out it was Trina, he was the one who had to relay the news.

Tori's friends started to stand, but she immediately ordered them to stay seated. Her face was red from anger as well as stains, and her breathing was heavy. "This is your fault. You guys know that, right? My sister could have died today, and I bet none of you would have cared."

"That's not true," Beck replied astonishingly.

"Bullshit." Tori brought a hand to her forehead and threw her other hand at the door. "Nevermind. I can't even look at you guys right now. Just leave."

"Don't let them going without knowing they've done wrong," Cat said quietly. The others looked at her and Jade pursed her lips. "You know you've made mistakes too by not speaking out, you should have said something a long time ago. They probably don't even realize they ever did or said anything wrong to begin with. They thought it was okay to treat your sister like a piece of trash." Tori put her hands to her hips and bowed her head slightly. Her mouth turned downward and her eyebrows peaked in the center. "So don't even think about holding your tongue anymore. You don't have to shout, but you do need to let them know what the problem is. Stop being afraid of getting into a fight."

"You're right." Tori looked at them in the eyes, then narrowed her glare when she turned upon Jade. Jade crossed her arms and the others exchanged nervous glances. "I'm tired of listening to all of you step over my sister, calling her all sorts of names and telling her how worthless you think she is. You think you're better than her, but in reality, you're no better than the people you abuse."

"So sorry to displease you, your highness." Jade rolled her eyes, then proceeded to do a brief curtsey. "Don't forget you're also the one who said shit, or are you the perfect princess?"

What came next startled everyone. A slap echoed through the air and silence followed as Jade's hand flew to her right cheek. Jade looked at Tori with wide eyes and opened her mouth, but Tori silenced her and pointed a finger at her.

"I know I've done wrong, Jade. I acknowledge screwing up and I know I treated my sister badly. I did it because I thought it was important to win favor with you. Now I see I was wrong, and my mistakes almost cost me my sister-my best friend, someone who I was close to long before I ever knew you."

"I can't believe-"

Cat was impressed, and a bit proud. Beck put his arm around Jade's shoulders while Andre and Robbie approached them. "Either shape up and get with the program Jade, or get out of my life." Tori crossed her arms and stared at the others. "That goes for the rest of you as well. I love having you as my friends, but when you treat the people I love like dirt and then justify your actions by pointing your finger at me when I know I've done wrong, then I start to wonder…So either fix your problems, or go away. While I want to have you guys as my friends, I'm not losing someone I love because you don't know how to keep your own mouths shut."

The friends left without a single more, of course that meant Beck had to push Jade out the door before she attacked Tori. Tori watched them leave with tears in her eyes and slowly shook her head. "If I had said something from the start, it wouldn't have come to this. I was just afraid to speak out." Tori turned to her sister and dropped her hands down to her sides. "Trina, can you forgive me?"

Cat watched Trina move to her sister and hug her. She felt another surge of pride as the girls cried together. She looked at Gary and David, and was amazed to hear Gary telling the man to start paying attention more to his family, and that the three of them-which included Holly-should sit down and talk things out.

Things very likely wouldn't be smooth sailing from here, but at the very least Trina was willing to seek some therapy for her depression. When Cat told Ruby what happened, the woman was impressed with her and said she'd be happy to keep Cat on as a regular volunteer, which she gladly accepted.

Things were rocky for Trina at first, but she was glad her family was trying to take a more active role in each other's lives. Eventually all of the friends came around to accepting they'd done wrong, and Jade was glad that Tori said something because it made her think more about how she'd been treating people, and this thinking was solidified when she thought more on Trina's attempt. Unfortunately, some of the friendships couldn't be mended and eventually fell apart.

Trina did go on the camping trip and returned to tell Tori and Cat how she met someone who actually cared about her and wasn't trying to trick or hurt her. The man was the same person she spoke of on the bridge, and he was very supportive and helpful in teaching her how to advance in the martial arts training.

This led her to reach the top five winners at the tournament, granting her a full ride to the prestigious martial arts academy.

Cat was there with Ruby at the after-party the Vega's threw. Jade and Beck congratulated Trina, since they did try to be friendlier with her. Gary was there as well, but as a family friend-David and Holly were able to mend fences.

"I'm glad I was able to assert myself," Cat said while looking up to her mentor. "I always thought remaining silent was the safe choice, but I see now that talking things out and saying something where something is needed is crucial."

"I'm glad you see that," Ruby replied, "I am proud of how you handled the situation. You know you saved that girl's life?" Cat watched Trina hug her sister and smiled to herself as the girl looked over.

"I like to think that by saying something, I gave her a little hope to cling to, but yeah. I'm glad that I made an impact."

"You see, Cat." Ruby placed a hand to her shoulder and Cat's heart skipped as the lady gave her a smile. "Your words were enough." She wiped away a tear and replied with a nod. "Your older brother may not be here, but I'm sure wherever he is, he's smiling down on you. Don't ever forget the power that your voice can hold."

"I won't, Ruby."

She saw Trina hurry over and grinned as the girl took her hands. "Cat, we're about to cut the celebration cake. You get the first slice, come on." She laughed once and let the girl drag her off.

Never before did she think she could make a difference in someone's life, nor did she believe she could ever be important enough to have her opinion count for much.

Watching Trina with her boyfriend cutting out a large slice of cake brought a strange tear to her eye. "This person is here because I had the courage to talk to her? To make an effort?" Sure, sometimes things didn't work out like that and talking didn't do much, but now she understood that if someone didn't at least try, then they would never know for sure.

So with that said, I leave you with a few thoughts. If any of you have gone through this, or know someone who has or is going through depression, do not be afraid to talk. Let that person know they're important to you, remind them of the things that are important to them. Everyone can use a friend.

For those of you that are struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide, please reach out to somebody. There is help everywhere, but if you can't go to your family or friends, know that there is a number that you can call. The suicide hotline, which is obviously portrayed in this oneshot, is open 24/7 and they are there to talk to you, and they are completely confidential.

1 800 273 TALK and 1 800 SUICIDE The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline a 24/7 hotline for callers in the United States