Batwoman: Victorious

Chapter Six: Night of Aftermath

Looking at the boy she once had faith and pride in through a thick shield of glass, the blond teenager tried to fight off disappointed tears. Chase had so much in front of him; good education, a compassionate attitude, and a decent career as a boxer with other opportunities to fall back on. Her blond hair draped over her shoulders in the dark, dank prison, a girl named Zoey Brooks held the cold black telephone to her ear, looking straight ahead at her friend. "You were a monster," she said, her voice laced with shame and anger. "You put women and children in the hospital."

"I'm sorry," Chase replied, not able to look at the one he called his friend for years.

"That's not good enough," the girl shot down. "Tell me why you did it."

"...I needed it," Chase answered, feeling an agonizing lump swell in his throat.

"What?" Zoey asked, not showing much patience.

"The Venom," the boy answered, feeling disgusted with himself. "Coach gave it to me one day...and I needed more. I couldn't sleep, I didn't want to eat...But maybe I was an animal before then...I almost killed that kid I sparred with every day."

"This isn't like you," Zoey scolded the teenager. "You're not like the kid I went to PCA with...What changed?"

"...I don't know," the curly-haired teenager croaked out, barely able to hold his phone anymore.

"Neither do I," Zoey said before hanging up the phone, and walking out of Arkham Asylum. Chase dropped the phone, lay his head down on the table before him, and cried to himself as the cuffs chafed his arms and legs. A police officer put his hand on the boy's shoulder, letting him know it was time for him to go.

Cat sat outside Robbie's cell, looking at him and Rex through cold, rusted metal bars. "Why'd you do it, Robbie?" she asked, her voice gentle. "You're not a bad kid."

"Rex told me to," Robbie answered, sounding distraught. "He knows what's right for me."

"Then why are you in prison?" Cat asked, growing upset. "That doesn't seem right...You don't want to hurt people like that."

"I don't feel like talking," Robbie said, turning away from his old friend. "Maybe you should get out of here," Rex said, his voice cold and nasty as usual. Sniffling and holding back tears, Catarina got up and walked out of the room, leaving Robbie alone.

"You doing okay?" Tori asked Sinjin, trying not to remember how savage he was that night.

"Don't pretend like you care," the reptilian boy shot back.

"I do care," Victoria replied. "You have friends...we don't care how you look."

"Well I do," Sinjin snarled. "I don't have a right to try to fit in now! Don't you get that? Just get out of here!" Realizing it was hopeless, the brunette stood up, and walked out of the room.

The three visitors met up in the main office. Tori and Cat walked each other to the car, not recognizing the blond girl. Once the two got outside, Alfred and Trina were waiting in a black Camero. The redhead hopped into the back seat, then let her friend in. "Thanks for going with me, Tori," Cat said.

"Any time, Kitten," Tori warmly replied. "How was Robbie doing?"

"Not good," the short-haired girl answered. "Thanks, Alfred...for driving us here."

"My pleasure, Miss Catarina," the Englishman happily said.

"Get any call-backs, sis?" Tori asked, hoping to lighten the mood.

"Not yet," Katrina answered. "Not many people are looking for singers for some reason. Oh hey, ready to go back to school tomorrow?"

"Yeah," the younger brunette happily answered. "Can't wait." Tori looked forward to seeing Mr. Sikowitz, Beck, and even Jade. Anything would be better than the institute.

The next morning, Cat looked in the mirror at her short red velvet hair, pulling the small bangs out of her face. I wasn't that bad, Mommy, she told herself, feeling the shame and anger sit within her. Running a small comb through her neatly butchered locks, Cat tried not to cry anymore. It was more than just her hair; it was an expression of herself...and now a reminder of her mother's hatred towards her.

Beck stood still, his eyes closed as the beads of water poured down on his muscular chest. The steam blurred out his fears and stress. He could never forget that nightmare; how close he'd come to breaking down again. Thank heaven Jade was there to carry him through it...Jade and Batwoman. Suddenly, the phone rang. Beck wrapped a towel around his waste, and picked up the wall phone. "Hey, baby," Jade's voice greeted. "How we doing this morning?"

"Been better," the young man answered with a smile on his face. "Can't wait to see you today." Jadeyn gently stroked the soft fur on the kitten that rested on her lap with its little eyes closed. "Can't wait to see you either," she replied. "I'll drive you to school. How's that?...Great. See you in five, sexy." The teenager hung up the phone, tightly closed her eyes, and gave her little baby an Escimo kiss before setting him down with Scruff and Miss Puddy.

Hollywood Arts was shrouded in a light cloud of Los Angeles-esque shade that morning. No one would have it any other way right now. Cat wore a pink hoodie for most of the day, telling teachers it was a way of expressing herself (even though it was to hide herself). Jade and Beck kissed one another, feeling at peace in a safe place. Tori and Andre' were talking near Tori's blue locker, which had "Make It Shine" rhinestoned on it above the portrait of a big city's skyline.

"I'm glad you're back, Tores," the African American teenanger said, his voice warm.

"Same here," Tori replied, closing her locker. "Thanks, Andre'." The two shared a bried hug, then parted to their classes. Beck couldn't help but notice, and felt himself fade out of his kiss with Jade.

"What's wrong?" Jade asked, her voice weak.

"...Nothing," the long-haired teenager lied, looking at the floor. Looking at his girlfriend, Beck found himself mentally transforming her into Tori; her hair growing longer and turning a shining brown color. Her face growing more thin and tan, and her clothing melted into that long dress he saw Victoria wear in those dream. A tear slid down his cheek, though he thought he could hide it.

"It'll be okay," Jade whispered, gently stroking her boyfriend's cheek, as if she could take the pain away. Feeling so weak he could fall, Beck set his hand in Jade's dark hair, and tried to fall in love with her again. Suddenly, she started to cough again.

"Are you okay?" Beck asked, starting to find emotion again.

"It's..." the girl managed to say between coughs that were growing more and more violent. "Nothing..." Finally, she couldn't control herself, and the hacking became vicious. Jade doubled over, trying not to vomit. Tears began to well up in her eyes as her desperation grew.

"Jade!" Cat screeched, running over with Tori and Andre'. Covering her mouth, Jade could see those who were close to friends with her surround her. Suddenly, everything went black.

"I can't lose her!" Beck screamed, his pulse spiking viciously.

"You're not gonna lose her," Tori replied. "She's gonna be okay...Cat, get NorthStar!" The redhead hit hte designated emergency button on her cell phone.

Jade lay still, her eyes closed and her face fallen into a solemn form as her hair was wildly scattered on the gurney. Lights buzzed and weakly flashed above the girl in that cold, sterile hospital. Beck was hysteric, but managed to be calmed with the help of a sedative.

Cat gazed at her oldest friend, her eyes beattie and weak under the glow of those lights. Her short hair blew in an artificial breeze as Jade was pushed into the E.R. I should've known she was sick, Cat thought, fighting back tears. Tori put her hand on the redhead's shoulder as Andre' held onto her back. Beck spent every waking moment next to his beloved girlfriend. All of the teenagers did. Come midnight that same night, Alfred and Trina arrived to comfort the others. Katrina had been on a field trip, but was just as hurt as everyone else about Jade.

"I'm sorry," a nice but frazzled nurse said. "You have to leave. You can come back in about half an hour." Beck had to be forcibly escorted, and was soon admitted to the hospital as well.

"Would you like to get some sleep, Miss Victoria?" Alfred asked, having the best of intentions.

"...I really don't wanna leave her," Tori replied, her voice grave. "I know she hates me...but I've gotta see this through. Thanks, guys." Sitting alone in that dark hallway, waiting for Cat or Andre' to come back, Victoria prayed for Jade.

Suddenly, the sound of foot steps broke the teenager's concentration. Looking up slowly, Tori saw a face...A face from that part of her past she never wanted to experience again. For a second, the man looked at the girl, seeming to remember her, then walked into Jade's room.

"What are you doing here?" Tori demanded, standing in the doorway. "What do you want with her?"

"I want to make her well," the man answered, his voice as vacant of emotion as ever.

"She doesn't need what you have to give," the brunette snarled. "You only want to help yourself...What's in this for you Ra's? Another soul to corrupt...more money for your estate?"

"...As always, I question your motives, young Victoria," the man replied, his voice so cold and vampiric. "Are you defending this girl for her good... Or do you merely wish to be the only power in the lives of your so-called friends?"

"Don't pretend like you understand me," Tori fought back. "Nothing you do has ever been for anyone's good. That's why The League of Shadows fell."

"...My allies will never fall, young one," Ra's replied. "There will always be those who follow my ideals...I may be looking at one at this moment." Tori clenched her fists in an attempt to control her rage. "The choice will be yours, Victoria...I will give Jadeyn the cure for her disease, but will take refuge with her...Or I will leave her in the hands of these doctors. What do you choose?"

"...Get the hell out of here," Victoria decided. "And know that when I find the grounds...I will take you in." Ra's smlied, and quietly departed from the room. The thing I learned from being Batwoman...is that you never look back, Tori told herself. My life is devoted to justice...at all costs. Tori fell on Jade's bed, her face resting in the sheets covering her. Tears began to stream from her eyes, soaking the white covers. "You have to be okay," Victoria whispered. The room was cold; still. Night was in its darkest, and there seemed to be no solace from loved ones.

"Don't let her go," said a familiar voice. Tori looked behind her, no longer trying to hide her tear stains. His long hair flowing with every step, Beck walked over to his lover. "She means the world to me..."

"I know she does," Tori replied, stroking Jade's soft hand. "And I know you mean even more to her."

"I don't think I deserve her, though," Beck said, his voice sinking. Brushing the bangs out of her face, the boy looked at Jade's beautiful face, which she rarely showed anymore. "...I'm not loyal."

"What do you mean?" Tori asked, growing uneasy.

"There's another girl I feel like I want to be with," the boy finally confessed. "I'm a monster..."

"No you're not," the brunette argued, trying to keep her voice hushed. "You're just scared...The thing is, you need Jade right now, and she needs you."

"She used to comfort me...But I don't feel like she's even here anymore," Beck continued, feeling tears form in his eyes. "I wish I could just...make it all stop...hold her forever and never let go."

Tori touched the boy's arm, desperate to offer him comfort. "It'll be okay," she promised. "She's gonna wake up soon, and you two won't have to be apart ever again."

"She's dying, though," Beck replied. "They said she has McGregor Syndrome...No one's lived through that." Tori wrapped her arms around Beck, her breath heavy with sorrow.

"There's always a chance," the girl said. Beck leaned his head down on Tori's shoulder, letting his tears fall onto her. With a loud snuff, the young man lost all composure, and let Tori comfort him. Jade rocked back and forth in her sleep as her lover finally found peace within himself, even as a war erupted inside. Rain began to pour outside, and a swarm of bats flew above the hospital as a bolt of lightning disturbed them.