Sorry my updates seem to be so sporadic! I've been feeling unmotivated lately. I hope you guys are still sticking with me!


Not a lot of things scare Jade West, but the psychiatric ward of Cedars Sinai absolutely petrifies her. It's extremely desolate and bright, the halogen lights bathing her pale complexion in an unflattering light. It makes the heavy bags under her eyes more prominent. Two and a half weeks have passed since the last time she had seen Cat and Jade wasn't quite sure she was going to be able to face her. But at the request of Cat's therapist Dr. Sharp, both she and Beck were attending one of her therapy sessions.

Beck notices the apprehension on Jade's face and reaches for her hand. She revels in the comfort and smiles shyly at him. "It will be okay, babe."

"Yeah," Jade agrees in a whisper, staring at the floor. She takes a deep breath and tries to put her racing mind at ease. What was Cat going to be like? Was she going to be mad? Sad? Jade's biggest fear is that Cat won't recognize her. Or wants to go to Idaho. "How much longer do we have to wait?"

"Well, since you made us come here an hour early, I'd say we have about ten more minutes left," Beck chuckles. He reaches for his phone and scrolls anxiously though all of his read text messages.

Jade sighs and fiddles with the hem of her skirt. When she hears the sound of high heels clicking against the white tiled floor, both she and Beck immediately stand up, their hands still locked together.

"Hello, I'm Dr. Sharp. You must be Beck and Jade."

Beck nods and shakes the young therapist's hand. "Hi. It's nice to meet you."

"Yeah," Jade adds in dully. She starts to wonder if Dr. Sharp is some sort of quack; she's tall, blonde, and doesn't look a day over thirty. "Where's Cat?"

Dr. Sharp laughs and motions for the pair to follow. "Caterina is very excited about your visit. Although she is a bit anxious. Try to bear with her. She's slowly but surely getting used to her medication."

The seemingly long walk down the narrow hallway makes Jade feel antsy. Despite Beck's tight grip on her hand, she still can't help but worry. She's afraid Cat's not going to take their visit well. That, or she won't be able to handle their departure and breakdown completely.

"How's she doing?" Beck asks once they've stopped outside a closed room.

"Good," Dr. Sharp smiles confidently. "She's a lot less confused. The first week was tough but she seems to be adjusting well. I think you'll be pleased."

"You go in first," Jade says to Beck pleadingly. She drops her hand from his and takes a step back. "I need a minute."

Beck nods in understanding and kisses Jade's forehead, letting his lips linger for a few seconds. Dr. Sharp opens the door and Beck prepares himself. He quietly peers in the room and smiles when Cat's sitting on the couch with her hands folded in her lap with a dimply smile on her face.

"Caterina," Dr. Sharp clears her throat. "There's someone here to see you."

Beck's still not used to Cat being called "Caterina." It seems so foreign to him.

It takes Cat a minute, but as soon as she looks up and sees Beck's familiar face, she squeals and launches herself into his arms. "Beck! Beck!"

"Hey," Beck greets her with a large smile. He scoops her up and holds her tightly, reveling in the feeling of her little hands clasped around his neck. "I missed you."

"I missed you more!" Cat giggles, wiggling down to her feet. She hugs Beck around the waist and squeezes him. "I'm so happy you're here!"

Beck nods and ruffles Cat's hair. She seems like the old Cat. It makes some of the nerves dissipate. "You look great, Cat." Sure, her red hair is now mostly dark roots and a bit straggly, but she looks a lot better than she did weeks ago.

"Thank you," Cat smiles shyly, twiddling her thumbs. "Where's Jade?" She searches all around the empty room, her lips slipping into a pout. "Did she not want to come see me?"

"Of course she did," Beck says quickly.

"Because, because my mommy was supposed to come yesterday but she didn't." Cat's eyes were now welling with tears.

"Take a deep breath, Caterina," Dr. Sharp instructs carefully. "Your mom had to go back to Idaho, remember? She needed to be with your brother."

Cat nods and wipes her eyes with the back of arm. "Like always," she mumbles, burying her face into Beck's chest. "Then where's Jade?"

Beck rubs Cat's back. "She's in the hall, kiddo. I think she just needs a few minutes before she sees you."

"Why?"

"She's scared."

Cat looks up at Beck in confusion. "But Jade's not scared of anything."

"Yes, she is," Beck says with a soft smile. He reaches down and squeezes Cat's hands comfortingly. "She just doesn't like people to know."

"Can I go out and see her?"

Beck looks at Dr. Sharp for permission. When she nods, he leads Cat to the door. Cat hugs him one last time and gently pulls the door open, biting her bottom lip to stop it from wobbling so much. She peers to the left, then to the right, her heart rate quickening when she finally spots Jade. Her back's turned, but Cat knows it's her.

"Jadey?" Cat's voice is soft and timid. She watches Jade freeze in place but when she doesn't turn around, Cat begins to wonder if Jade heard her. "Jadey?" she says again, taking three small steps over to her best friend.

Jade takes a deep breath and turns around. She just hopes she can keep herself composed until their meeting's over. She doesn't want Cat to think she's weak.

"Hi, Jade!" Cat squeals before closing the gap between her and Jade. She can't control her tears when Jade hugs her tightly. "Jadey!"

"Hi, baby girl," Jade whispers, her voice breaking a little when Cat's whimpers don't seem to die down. She runs her fingers through Cat's tangled hair and rocks her back and forth gently.

"You came to visit!" Cat manages to choke out through tears. "I missed you."

"I missed you, too," Jade says, breaking into a smile. "We need to re-dye your hair, red," she laughs, ruffling Cat's hair.

Cat giggles and puts her hands on top of her head. "I know!" She tugs on Jade's hand and pulls her inside. "Come sit with me."

Jade follows Cat and tries not to trip as Cat drags her over to the plush leather couch she's sure Cat's spent a lot of time on. Beck smiles and scoots over, making room for Cat to sit in the middle of him and Jade. Cat reaches for Beck's hand and holds it tightly. She's completely at ease with her two favorite people in the world sitting right next to her.

Dr. Sharp takes a seat and can't help but smile; it's the happiest she's seen Cat since her arrival nearly three weeks ago. "Thank you for coming."

"It's no problem," Beck says, rubbing Cat's back. "Anything for Cat."

"Cat's told me a lot about you," Dr. Sharp laughs. "I think I know your whole life story. The both of you."

"I'm sure you do," Jade mumbles. She can't help but smiles when she hears Cat giggle.

"And I told her about Lucy!" Cat shrieks excitedly. Then, when she realizes the infant is nowhere to be seen, she pouts. "How come you didn't bring Lucy?"

"She's not feeling too well today," Beck tells Cat with a half smile. "But she misses you a lot."

Cat's eyes widen. "R-really?"

"Of course," Jade says reassuringly. She wraps Cat in a tight hug until she feels the younger girl settle calmly. "Every morning she crawls into your room looking for you."

"She's crawling?" Cat gasps. "Phooey, I'm missing everything!"

"She also has four teeth," Beck supplies with a proud grin. He reaches in his pocket and pulls out his PearPhone. "Here, look."

Cat's face lights as Beck scrolls through the various pictures of Lucy he has. "She looks so much like you, Jade. Show Dr. Sharp!" She grabs the phone out of Beck's hands and rushes over to show her therapist. "This is Lucy! Isn't she cute?"

"Very," Dr. Sharp says enthusiastically. She scribbles down a few notes and motions for Cat to sit back down. "Why don't you tell Beck and Jade what we've been working on in our sessions?"

Cat goes very quiet. She shrugs and peers down at the floor. "I don't wanna."

"How come?" Dr. Sharp prods carefully. "You should be proud of all the progress you've made."

"No," Cat cries softly. "No! I don't want them to know."

Jade looks at Beck in concern. "Tell us what?" Beck asks because he knows Jade can't.

Cat shakes her head and starts to rock back and forth. "You can't know! It will change everything."

"I bet it won't," Jade promises, rubbing Cat's back. She winces when Cat recoils and wraps her arms around her body tightly. "Cat, look at me."

"No!" Cat screeches. She shrugs off Jade's grip and fixes her gaze to the floor. "My mom told me, she told me it will change things if I tell you."

Dr. Sharp butts in and Jade kind of hates her for it. "Cat," the therapist says, knitting her eyebrows in confusion. "What is going to change?"

"My mom said if Jade and Beck knew I was…" Cat trails off with a sob. "She said they wouldn't be able to handle it!"

"Handle what?" Jade asks impatiently. She feels her blood begin to boil; God only knows the lies Mrs. Valentine probably fed Cat. "What did your mom say?"

Cat just continues to ignore everyone and wring her hands together nervously. She feels everyone's eyes on her and begins to pull at her hair. "Stop looking at me!"

"She's still trying to adjust to the medication," Dr. Sharp tells Beck and Jade mournfully. "Maybe, maybe we should try again another day."

Beck shakes his head. "We're not leaving." He turns to Cat and tilts her chin up so they're looking at one another. "You know Jade and I love you no matter what, right?"

"Y-yeah," Cat says, her bottom lip wobbling frantically.

"So tell us what's wrong," Jade says encouragingly. "Come sit with me and tell me what your mom said."

Cat hesitates but doesn't protest when Jade lifts her onto her lap. "You won't be mad?"

"Why would I be mad?" Jade asks in confusion, locking her arm around Cat's middle to ensure the smaller girl doesn't go anywhere.

"I'm, I'm schizophrenic," Cat confesses so quietly that Jade and Beck stare at her blankly. "I'm schizophrenic," she says more loudly. "Like my brother."

"Cat, did you think, did you think we would be mad at you for that?" Beck says after a moment of silence. When Cat nods, he sighs and kisses her temple. "Why would that thought ever cross your mind?"

"You're still our Cat," Jade says with a slight sniffle. She blinks back the unshed tears and holds Cat even tighter.

"My mommy said you wouldn't be able to handle me anymore," Cat says with a frown. "She said that between your work and Lucy, there won't be a lot of time for me. She wants me to go to Idaho with her."

Jade shakes her head in protest. "You're not going anywhere."

"We have all the time in the world for you," Beck assures Cat, scooting closer so he can give the little redhead a much needed hug.

"You see, Cat?" Dr. Sharp interjects. "Beck and Jade aren't going anywhere."

Cat stares back and forth between Beck and Jade, almost in disbelief that after all these years, Beck and Jade are still here for her. "So my mommy lied?"

"Yes," Jade's quick to say, but quickly retracts her statement when Beck nudges her with an elbow to her side. "No," she sighs. "I think she's just trying to look out for you, baby girl. Maybe she was just worried we'd be too busy. But we're never too busy for you, okay? You are our first baby after all."

Cat giggles and feels a wave of relief wash over her. "You were always better parents than my actual parents," she whispers, grabbing onto Beck's arm and giving it a squeeze. "You'll really still have time for me when I get out of here?"

"Always," Jade promises, brushing the hair out of Cat's eyes.

"And you still have Tori, Andre, and…Robbie."

Cat smiles. "Robbie still cares about me? Even if, even if I was mean to him?"

"He understands," Beck says, squeezing Cat's hand.

"Dr. Sharp?" Cat asks the therapist shyly. "Can I tell Jade and Beck what we've been working on now?"

Dr. Sharp nods. "Of course, dear. Go for it."

"I've learned to control the voices in my head!" Cat says proudly. "I haven't heard any in over a week. Oh! And, and I'm going to work hard to be the old Cat again."

"I think you already are the old Cat," Jade says, tickling Cat's sides.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," Beck smiles. "We're so proud of you, Cat."

Cat leans forward and hugs Beck tightly. "I love you, Beck."

"Ahem," Jade clears her throat playfully.

"And I love you Jade!" Cat beams, pulling away from Beck and throwing her arms around Jade's neck. "A little more than Beck," she whispers with a giggle.

"I heard that."

Jade hugs Cat when she shows no signs of letting go. "I love you, too, baby girl. Maybe even more than Beck."

Beck shakes his head. "Okay, I definitely heard that one."

Dr. Sharp lets the three friends have another few minutes before interrupting their reunion. "Okay, Caterina. Start saying goodbye. It will be time to take your afternoon dosage soon before lunch."

Jade knows it's coming. She sees Cat's face fall and the tears build up in her eyes automatically. Cat stands up and looks at Beck and Jade frantically, silently begging them not to leave.

"But, but they just got here!"

"I know, but what did we discuss yesterday? It was going to be a quick visit. We still have a lot to work on."

"No!" Cat screeches. "No! I'm fine! I can go home now if I want!"

Dr. Sharp shakes her head. "No, sweetheart, you can't."

Jade assumes Cat's medication is wearing off and cautiously stands up, resting her hand on the small of Cat's back. "Hey, baby girl, look at me."

Cat refuses and stomps her foot. "No. I'm not saying goodbye."

"Okay, then we're leaving," Beck says, pulling at Jade's arm. He knows it's a lot easier for the both of them if they just walk out. "Bye, Cat."

"This is your last chance," Dr. Sharp says matter-of-factly. "Come on, Caterina, don't do something you may regret later."

Cat remains defiant, staring at the floor.

"Bye," Jade says, kissing the back of Cat's head. She doesn't linger, which doesn't give Cat any more chances to finally say goodbye. It's heartbreaking, but she can't stand to watch Cat fall apart anymore.

It's when Jade and Beck are nearly out the door when Cat finally reacts. "Wait!" she screams pleadingly, rushing over and colliding into Jade's body. "Don't leave yet. Please."

Jade smoothes down Cat's hair and rocks her back and forth. "We have to. It's time for you to eat lunch soon."

"I don't wanna," Cat protests. "The food makes my tummy hurt! I'll skip lunch if I can stay with you."

"We have to go, Cat," Beck says, trying to pry her away from Jade. It's like déjà vu. "Give Jade one last hug and then you have to let her go, okay?"

Cat bursts into tears and refuses to let go. "Jadey, no. You can't leave yet!"

"Caterina," Dr. Sharp sighs. "You know what's going to happen if you're not willing to let Jade go. Do I have to call the orderly?"

"Don't rush me!" Cat continues to cry, her face muffled by Jade's shoulder.

"If you can't calm down-"

"Give them a few minutes," Beck asks the therapist quietly. "Please. Jade knows what's she's doing." He pulls Dr. Sharp to the side. "Just watch."

Jade swallows past the lump in her throat. She scoops Cat into her arms and lets her best friend sob into her shoulder. "You're okay, Cat. I promise."

"I don't want you to go!"

"I have to," Jade whispers, swaying from side to side. She feels Cat's erratic breathing begin to even out. "I have to get back home to Lucy. And you have to concentrate on getting better."

Cat sniffles and lifts her head off Jade's shoulder. "But I miss you."

"I miss you, too, baby girl," Jade smiles sadly. "Everyone misses you. But you need to stay here until they think you're ready to come home."

"Why?"

"You just do," Jade whispers, letting a few tears slip down her cheeks. "I'm going to put you down now, okay?"

Cat's hesitant. "Just a few seconds more!" She squeezes Jade's neck and tries her hardest to keep holding on even when Jade somehow manages to untangle her legs from her waist. "Jadey, no!"

"Down, Cat," Jade demands. "Do you want a repeat of last time?"

"No," Cat whimpers, reluctantly sliding down to her feet.

Jade smiles and kisses her friend's forehead. "Good job," she praises, bending down to reach in her bag. "I brought you something."

Cat gasps when Jade pulls out Mr. Purple out of her bag. "Mr. Purple?"

"Lucy spit up on him the other day but I washed him," Jade laughs, extending the stuffed animal out to Cat. "He'll help you get through the rest of your time here."

"Yeah," Cat agrees with a wide smile. She hugs Mr. Purple. "I missed him!"

"Let's go, Cat," Dr. Sharp says caringly. "I'll take you down to get your meds."

Cat continues to whimper but agrees. "Bye Jade, bye Beck." She hugs them both one last time. "Thanks for coming."

"Bye, Cat," Beck says, keeping a firm grip on Jade's hand. "We'll see you soon."

Jade waves and waits until Cat's out the door to release the sob she's been holding in for the past two hours. She buries herself in Beck's arms and holds the back of his shirt so tightly that her knuckles are turning white.

"Hey, hey," Beck says in Jade's ear. "Its okay. Everything's okay."

"I know," Jade sniffles in relief. "I know."

"And it's all going to be okay."

For the first time in months, Jade actually believes it's true.