A/N I'm really very sorry for having taken so much time to upload this new chapter. I was stumped but I got an email informing me of a new review, and I have read all of them. I'm still so amazed that anyone would actually read anything I wrote. But I've been busy lately, and I hate to say it, but it seems that this story will come to an end within the next chapter or two. I just want to wrap it up, I think because my writing style has been changing, and I've been reading a lot and writing a lot, I just don't feel right leaving this story unfinished.

Several weeks had passed since my incident with Beck. Cat didn't ask me about it, and I never offered up any information. The reason being, I had forgiven Beck soon after. He constantly left voicemails, and sent text messages and flowers. Eventually I answered one of his calls, his voice sounded broken and he broke out into a long story about how he was a little drunk or something, part of me tuned it all out because all I wanted to do was forget what had happened. I mean, yes Beck hurt me, and I knew that was wrong, but I loved him. I had never been in love before, but to me, love meant you forgive when your partner of their missteps. So I guess you could say that Beck and I started to see each other in private. I'd lie and tell Cat that I was going out to the store and she usually said "Kk!" without looking up from her latest book or television program. Sure lying to my best friend hurt, but I loved Beck. I promised myself that I would tell her, but every time I had plans with Beck, I told her yet another obviously fabricated story of where I'd be for the night.

Things were going pretty smoothly with Beck, I'd usually just drive over to his apartment and we'd hang out at his place. He'd cook for me and rent movies for us to watch. The whole thing always seemed very romantic, and Beck was still in apology mode, so he was extra sweet and romantic towards me. Always gushing "I love you"s and "You look beautiful"s over dinner. After a few nights, it got old and I told him I wanted him to act normal again. This new apologetic Beck was so in-genuine and it just reminded me of that ugly night. I wanted to forget everything about that night, and he understand. Slowly things began to return back to normal between us, and I began feeling like it was time to confess what had been going on the last few weeks, to Cat. She deserved that much, and in time, I had hoped she'd be okay with it. She just needed to see that Beck had made a mistake and we were both a little stronger because of it. Well that's what he'd told me, but I didn't feel any stronger. If he did, then I wasn't going to spoil it for him.

After another dinner and movie with Beck in his apartment, I told him I had to leave early. He seemed a bit hurt but when I told him what I was going to do, his hurt turned to worry. "Babe, are you sure she'll be okay with this?" I took a breathe and kissed him, "Beck, I love you and you love me right?" He nodded, "Cat loves me too, we're practically sisters, so even if she doesn't approve, I think she'll learn too. She just has to see that it was a mistake. I feel bad lying to her, I need to do this, despite the outcome. But I love you no matter what." I hugged him for a minute, he whispered "I love you too Tor'" before kissing my forehead. I collected my things and headed back to my own apartment. The drive took a little more than a few minutes, and by the time I parked in my usual spot, all of my confidence and self assurance had disappeared. In it's place was fear, and guilt. I swallowed my pride and told myself that I knew what I had to do. It had gone on long enough, too long if you ask me. I feigned some confidence as I made my way up to my room. Before I could unlock and open the door, it swung up. When I looked up expecting to see Cat, I saw something that I never thought I'd see in my own home. Jade West.

"Come on in Vega," Jade instructed, her voice as cold as ever, despite the smirk on her porcelain face. I followed her inside, finding Cat seated on the couch, looking down at her hands folded in her lap. I bit my lip nervously as Jade sat on the other side of the couch, patting the seat in-between them. "Would you sit down? I think we need to have a little chat," I looked from Jade to Cat, expecting some sort of explanation. She didn't even seem to notice my presence, so I somehow carried myself over to the couch and sat down between my best friend and my worst friend. The funny thing about Jade was, no matter how much of a bitch she had always been to me, I always thought their was something inside of her, that wasn't cold. I had always considered her a friend, never letting anything she did or said phase me, and I did love her, in a way, she still terrified me. Especially being in my house, and with Cat acting like she'd seen a ghost, I had no idea what was going on.

"What are you doing here Jade? And Cat, what's wrong? Are you okay?" Again I looked from Jade to Cat, but Cat was still giving up nothing. I was starting to really worry, when Jade spoke again, "Tori, Cat told me what happened between you and Beck a while ago," Surprisingly enough, she reached for my hand, and when I looked in her eyes, I saw a warmth I'd never seen before. Jade West had feelings, I was stunned, "He did the same thing to me back in high school. Never anything serious, and that's why I always forgave him. I told myself that I loved him and he loved me. But he needs help. He has a violet streak that he needs to get under control. I hoped that when I left him after graduation, he'd change, but he never did. That's why I was at his place a while ago, trying to see how he was. I actually had no idea the two of you had gotten together until I got there and he told me. I was shocked and scared for you, I wish I told him I'd beat his ass if he ever touched you, or anyone else for that matter, but I couldn't find any words. That's when you showed up at his apartment," She trailed off. I was suddenly tired, but I was determined to speak up in Beck's defense.

I pulled my hand away from Jade's and stood up, "I'm really sorry about what happened in high school Jade, and I appreciate you coming back here, but I have something to say to Cat." Cat finally looked at me, her face looking like a sad puppy, shit this was going to be tough. "Cat," I knelt down in front of her, "I've been seeing Beck for the past few weeks, behind your back. I'm so sorry for lying, but I didn't see any other option, but I promise you, Beck's changed. I know he has, we've been having the best time lately and he seems happier than ever!" Cat looked down at me, tears seemed to be forming in her eyes. I pulled her into a hug, which she halfheartedly returned.

Jade scoffed as she stood, "Tori don't be stupid. I know how you feel about him, I felt that way too! We dated for like four years, and I told myself so many times that he'd changed, but he never did." I stood up to face her, but before I could reply, she cut me off, "I'm not saying he ever did anything seriously harmful, thank god, but still he can't go around slapping girls!" She was nearly shouting although I was inches away from her, and I could hardly look her in the eyes.

It was Cat's turn to stand up, joining us in front of the couch, "Tori, I know you've been seeing Beck this whole time," She looked down unsure of what else to say, "Umm, that's why I called Jade. We kinda, like, scoped out Beck's place, and like, followed you. At first I thought you were just driving around, or being alone or something, but eventually it got weird, and your lies got even worse. I'm not that stupid Tori!" The last statement stung.

"Cat, it wasn't like that! I don't think you're stupid! You know that, I just, didn't care enough to come up with an airtight story, I just wanted to go see Beck," I hugged her again, I could hear her sniffle, "I've been wanting to tell you, but if you knew, why didn't you see anything?" She looked over to Jade, as if they could communicate via thought.

"Tori, I don't know if you realized, but Cat and I were somewhat good friends in high school," Jade seemed to have calmed down, but their was a fierceness in her eyes that told me she was no where near backing down, "We've kept in touch over the years, and when our little friend here voiced her suspicion, I knew something was up. After a few cosmos, she spilled everything, not literally, and I knew I had to look into it," She took a moment to let her words sink in, "You may not have ever known it, but I actually did care about you, in a way,"

"I always liked you too, Jade." I wasn't sure how to respond, but what I said was true at least. I wasn't so sure of what she had said, but I wasn't about to challenge her. All I knew was that Beck and I were pretty much fucked. I wasn't sure if I could exactly choose my friends over my boyfriend, or vice versa. Suddenly my whole world seemed to be crashing right before my eyes. I sat down and braced myself, Cat and Jade seemed a little worried, "Don't worry guys, I'm fine. Just sort of freaking out right now. I don't know what to think, what to believe, shit I don't even know what to do." I began to sound frantic.

Jade squatted in front of me, like I had done with Cat, but her tone wasn't friendly. She spoke matter-of-factually, "Tori, you can do one of two things. Stay with Beck, or leave him. We care about you, and we'll try our best to support you, but I have to say that if you get back with Beck, I won't have anything to do with it. I can't speak for Cat, but I've seen my fair share of domestic violence, and it is something that I find to be unforgivable, but that's me. If you choose to forgive him, nothing will really change between us, but I won't tolerate hearing about it. I will, however, help you weigh the pro's and con's of the situation. But you know where my bias leans, so you can tell me to fuck off and let you think alone, if you want." with that, she got up and crossed her arms. I assumed she was looking at Cat, maybe even talking to her, but I wasn't really paying any attention.

Memories of the last few weeks flashed through my mind. Then my whole entire relationship with Beck flashed, starting with us seeing each other at the club, the first time he said I love you, the first time we fought, the first time he hit me. Suddenly I jolted upright. I shouldn't have thought about it that way, the first time he hit me. It had been the first, only and last time he'd hit me. I buried my face in my hands, I knew what I should do. The only problem was, it wasn't what I wanted to do. Leaving Beck seemed like a crazy idea, but leaving him would prove my safety, and appease my friends. Suddenly I saw my mom in my head, I heard her telling me what I should do, nothing I didn't know already. Of course I'd known all along it was wrong, otherwise I never would have hid it. I suddenly excused myself, and made my way to my bedroom, curling up in bed. I began to cry, I don't think I even stopped, I just let my tears lull me to sleep.